Page 9 of Daring Her Vampires (Embracing The Bond #12)

Chapter Five

Luca

I study the shifters and vampires interacting as if it’s not a big deal.

They are affectionate, loving, and respectful.

I’ve landed in a world I don’t understand.

Making friends isn’t on my list of priorities, yet I have nothing against shifters.

I don’t care that Sally is a rabbit; the kind of animal doesn’t matter to me, just that she is mine.

After the vampire Bash broke the tension, and Sally declared her stance, everyone relaxed.

Atlas did as instructed and ordered Sally a drink, fighting the eager hands of the wolf to hand her a plate full of food.

Sally sat at the end of the couch, pulling me beside her.

Atlas stood beside her, speaking with the vampire, Rowen.

The noise is irritating my ears, and I want to escape.

“Luca, eat,” Sally says, leaning into my side. She offers her plate.

“I’m not hungry,” I lie easily. Vampires can eat food, but what I really crave is her blood. Her delicious scent is alluring and tempting me to take a bite. I can still taste her lollipop and skin on my tongue. I don’t want to be here.

“You need to eat something,” she says, sliding the paper plate to my lap. “Please.” I look down and reluctantly pick up half of a sandwich. “Are you alright?” she whispers, leaning closer.

“Yes.”

She laughs lightly.

“Don’t lie,” she says.

“I’m…” I swallow the bite and turn my head.

“Uncomfortable.” She squeezes my leg once and leaves her hand on my knee.

Grinding my teeth, I tilt my head and press my cheek against hers, sliding my arm behind her.

“Your blood is calling to my demon,” I whisper in her ear, hopefully low enough in the loud room that everyone doesn’t hear.

“I don’t want to lose control.” We usually drink from a blood bag; the days of drinking from humans are over.

It leads to complications and usually death.

“Oh,” she breathes shakily. “How often do you have to feed?”

“Not often.” As we age, we drink blood less and less, but we still need it. We both fed this morning, so we should be good for a few days. With Sally around, our cravings have increased. Hunger is swirling in my body.

“To drink from me for nourishment won’t turn me,” she says, and I hiss.

“Careful,” I warn roughly. “I won’t turn your offer down once given.” I pull away and stare into her eyes.

“Hey, Sally.” She turns to face Allie, and I tune out their conversation.

Allie knows my thoughts and interrupts me on purpose.

She protects us and knew I was too close to Sally’s pretty neck.

I exhale and try to calm my urges. Atlas looks over, but I don’t meet his eyes.

He’s tense and pretending not to be. Since we were young, he has also protected me, declaring he is my older brother and that it was his job.

I haven’t been a kid for a very long time, but I don’t like admitting that I needed him to stand in front of me several times.

When I was human, my life was filled with pain.

I was scrawny and quiet. Making friends was difficult, so I kept to myself.

Kids are cruel, and they bullied me relentlessly.

I came home beaten up more days than not.

Atlas has always been bigger and stronger.

I tried to hide it from him, but it came to a point that I couldn’t anymore.

I confessed everything after they broke my arm because I talked to a pretty girl one of the guys liked.

Atlas didn’t take it well. He got in trouble for breaking the bully’s nose.

Allie went wild on the girl who sneered at me as I lay on the ground clutching my arm.

I suppose that’s why I have a short temper now.

Being a vampire increased my strength, and working out regularly helped me build muscle, but sometimes I still revert to being the shy kid.

I don’t tolerate the abuse of the weak. When I get quiet, it's not from weakness but rage.

Everyone around me should be terrified if I stay silent.

It means I am trying to control my instinct to kill.

I have plenty of blood on my hands. When I was turned, I couldn’t stop my urges, and drank plenty of humans dry.

It’s intoxicating, having so much power after years of being weak.

I didn’t want to control it. We didn’t have anyone to instruct us on how to be a vampire.

I woke up with an incredible thirst, and the first human I saw, I drained dry.

“They mean well.” I tilt my head to the snake sitting beside me. I dealt with a snake once, and I never want to again. Heath is a commanding presence and holds his cane tightly in his fist. “You don’t like me,” he states.

“No.” I narrow my eyes.

“I don’t like you either,” he says, lips twitching.

“But you are here for Sally.” I should reserve judgment, but he’s a powerful, rare shifter who my demon thinks is a threat.

“Yes. She is family.” He smiles briefly. “I didn’t think I would get used to being in the group. It’s still odd, but I’m adjusting.”

“How?”

“Slowly,” he replies, and I can’t stop my grin. “You want her?”

“Of course,” I growl, my smile disappearing. “I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

“So suck it up,” he says.

“I want to hit you,” I drawl, fisting my hands.

“It will pass,” he sighs.

“Maybe.” I unclench my fingers and move the plate from my leg.

“Trust me.”

“Trust doesn’t come easily.” Instead of hitting him, I put my hand over Sally’s. Allie is entertaining her, their laughter filling the room.

“It never does,” he mutters as he watches his mate speaking with the female wolf. “If you want the life Sally will give you, get over it. The family is a package deal.” His gaze connects with mine. “Don’t fuck it up.”

“Brilliant advice,” I say dryly, and he shrugs.

“I’m blunt, and I think you are too.” He drains his glass. “Treat her right and get out of your own way.” He nods, and I tilt my head slightly as he leaves his seat. I watch his mate’s face light up as he walks to her.

We never settled anywhere long, so meeting other shifters was pointless when we would move a week later.

The lifestyle fits us. As did hunting Fredrick.

I liked traveling and seeing the world. The idea of having a mate didn’t occur to me.

Finding her wasn’t something I imagined, and certainly sharing one with Atlas didn’t cross my mind.

I respect and love my brother. He’s a good man, a loyal brother, friend, and partner.

Over the years, we’ve learned a lot about the bond and the facts of our vampire heritage.

It’s rare, but it is possible for vampires to share a mate.

I heard about it and met a couple who did, but that was the extent of it.

I look down as Sally moves her fingers over my knee and crosses her legs toward me.

When I look up, she keeps her attention on Allie and the coyote who joined them.

My sister has enough personality for all three of us.

She can make friends with anyone, and they can’t help loving her.

I love her, but I don’t know how she does it.

How does she have so much to say? She shocks me every day with her love for the life that was forced on her. It was rough when she was turned.

“Brother,” Atlas says softly, and I look at him as he leans behind Sally. “You good?”

“Yeah,” I reply, and he shakes his head. “Okay, no, but I will be.” Atlas hides his real feelings. He can put on the best show, but I know there is a storm building inside. I hide, but not for long. I can’t help showing my madness. “You?”

“Of course.” He grins, but it’s strained.

“Right,” I say wryly. Our instinct is to take Sally home and never let her leave. We don’t like all the males in the building being so close to her. Even though most of the men in this room are mated, it makes us twitchy.

“Do you want a drink?” he asks.

“I’ll get it. Stay with Sally.” He nods and sits on the arm of the couch.

I move her hand, and her head jerks toward me.

“I’ll be right back,” I explain when she opens her mouth, gliding my thumb over her bottom lip.

Watching her lick the space where my finger was, I tip my lip up and leave the room.

Instead of turning right to the bar at the end of the balcony, I turn left, needing a moment alone.

I escape down the hallway across from the stairs, where there is a closed door at the end.

Leaning against the wall, I close my eyes and drop my head back.

I’m glad Atlas is with Sally; at least since we share her, he will be there when I can’t.

I know they are her friends, but leaving her alone isn’t an option.

I despised being a room away from her at her apartment.

Knowing she was naked in the shower was torture, and it took restraint to give her space.

I’ve wanted women before, but it’s been superficial.

We fuck and then I move on. I’ve never loved anyone or needed to be in their life for more than a night or two.

The pull I feel toward Sally should be disturbing in its intensity, but it feels right.

I knew fated mates existed, but understanding why two people were drawn to each other seemed odd.

I smell her before she comes around the corner. She stops in front of me but doesn’t say anything. I can feel the heat of her gaze. Dropping my head, I open my eyes and slide my arms behind me, pressing my palms to the wall.

“I needed a minute,” I say roughly, pressing back tightly against my arms when I want to grab her and never let her go.

“I understand,” she says, tilting her head. “Do you want me to leave?”

“No.”

“Do you want me to get you a drink?”

“No.”

“Do you want to make out?”

I laugh abruptly. “That’s not what I would call it.”

“Are we playing the game?” She grins slyly.