Page 145 of Dark Flame

“That’s because my blood gave you purpose. Dormer, asshole vampire, and businessman.”

He flicks my nose, grinning. “Your sarcasm is half your charm, Miss Sinclair. No, I don’t miss the life I might have had. I wouldn’t give up my future with you for any version of my past.”

He kisses me until I forget what we were talking about. If I was still mortal, I’d be breathless. He kisses me like his mouth holds the answers, and for a moment, I slip into the safety of the unknown. That everything will be fine.

* * *

Alec remainsbehind me as I let myself into Morgan’s home, pausing as two bodies lurch upright from their seats, having been woken from a nap. Morgan lunges from the chair in the far corner while Carina lifts her head from the couch’s arm and tosses her cell to the side.

“Fuck, Harlow, I’ve been so worried.” Morgan flies across the room toward me, stopping short when my physical changes register, and she falters, arms lowering back to her side.

This is what I was afraid of.

“Goddess…you—you’re a?—”

“A vampire,” I finish, mentally preparing myself to be tossed out of the coven. “And a witch.” I make a fireball, and quickly extinguish it by curling my hand around it, the sizzle of flames settling back into my skin.

“Holy shit,” Carina murmurs, coming beside her mother, who’s shifting between composed and shock.

“How is this possible? Your hair…”

“I’ve embraced black magick too.”

“How? This goes against everything the Goddess holds dear.”

I flinch as though she slapped me, hearing another statement entirely:You go against everything the Goddess holds dear.

Alec’s mental touch slithers around my dead heart.Ignore her.

The door opens abruptly, another person striding in. A witch, given the way purple eyes scan the four of us. A cloak swirls around her legs, contrasting the skinny jeans, Keds and hoodie with the sloganSuck It, she’s wearing.

The stranger stops on me and flicks waist-length red hair over her shoulder. “Harlow Sinclair.Finally, I’m meeting the woman of the hour. You inspired the colour today.” She lifts a chunk of her hair.

Of course she’s here,Alec mutters, gaining a sharp look from me. He knows the witch when I don’t? I get being raised away from covens limiting my connection to all things of my culture, buthim?

Morgan all but pushes by Alec and me, dipping her head. “Blessed Be, Priestess. Freya. We didn’t realize you’d be visiting.”

The name sounds familiar, like I’ve heard it recently, but there’s been so much new information jammed into my brain lately, it’s difficult to sort through.

“Blessed Be,” the witch, Freya, replies primly. “It wasn’t in the plans, but we need to chat.” All her peace slips away when she twists toward Alec lingering by my shoulder. “Glad you got your head out of your ass, vamp. Like my sweater? Wore it for you.”

“As unhelpful as always, witch. If you’re offering…I have a few friends who’d love a bite of your power.”

She jabs her tongue out before flouncing by us all and into Morgan’s living room, making herself at home on the chair Morgan recently vacated. “You’re about to eat those words, moron.”

“You know her?” I ask.

“She’s been around unfortunately. Noting that, she’s the reason the barrier around your house fell and I was able to get to you.”

I stare at the witch, my rage bristling until my palms warm. “Youhelpedhim kidnap me?” Not that it didn’t work out in the end, but fuck, if it was a journey of hatred and suicidal escape attempts that got us there.

Morgan, like an energetic bee, practically buzzes right by me. “Forgive her, please. She wasn’t raised in the coven and doesn’t understand the position you hold.”

Amusement lines Freya’s mouth and she kicks one leg over the other. “It’s cool. I’m well versed in the tragic story ofHarlow Sinclair and Her Vampire King—ooh! Goddess, I amsotrademarking that. Eventually we’ll see you two on the big screen.” She waves her hand in the air, spreading them like showing something off. “The Witch Who Beat the Vampire King—nah, too basic.Spells Like Mate—ha, that’s cute.The Fire Witch and the Asshole Bloodsucker—that has a nice ring.”

Morgan settles into the couch beside Carina. “Remember I mentioned the First Witch? Freya is her.”

“She’s crazy as fuck,” Alec rumbles. “Not quite there. Missing a few incantations, if you know what I mean. You should really see someone about that, witch.”