Page 11 of Finn (Vampire Vows #1)

CHAPTER TEN

GAbrIEL

The first thing that crossed my mind as I woke from my slumber was Finn.

My gut twisted at the thought that maybe he’d decided to leave, to head back to the Guild, where he’d be safe, where he’d belong… away from me.

But I quickly shook off the worry.

Finn wouldn’t do that, not after what we’d been through last night. I knew him better than that, or at least I thought I did.

I forced myself up and headed to the bathroom, letting the cold water clear my head.

Tonight was risky. Beric had his private audience with Queen Arabella, which meant he’d likely be out of sight for the evening.

If I was careful, I could slip away, see Finn, and make sure he was all right.

After I dressed and ran a hand through my damp hair, I left my room and strode down the corridor, not bothering to mask the urgency in my steps.

I nearly barreled into Justin, who was vacuuming just outside my door.

He muttered an apology, but I waved it off, my mind elsewhere.

The whole house was still, the heavy shadows cast by the setting sun slipping through the windows.

I took the chance to dart out through the kitchen’s back door.

But as I neared the garden gate, intending to take the quickest path to the street, I froze.

Gael was standing by the gate, chatting with Theo. His eyes flicked to me immediately, a lazy smile spreading across his face.

“What’s the rush, Gabriel?” Gael asked, his voice light but his gaze anything but.

“None of your business,” I said evenly.

After all, I wasn’t exactly under house arrest. I was free to go into the city on Beric’s errand whenever I pleased. Within limits, of course.

I just didn’t need Gael poking his nose where it didn’t belong.

I was almost past them when Gael spoke again. “Heard an interesting rumor last night,” he drawled. “Seems a helpful little blood donor saw you with an old friend.”

The words struck like a blade. I froze, keeping my back to him for a heartbeat too long. That blood donor could only be Ricky.

He liked hanging around the nest, especially with Gael, and was always eager to sell a story for the right price.

I hadn’t sensed Gael at the club last night, but maybe Ricky had thought my “friend” was worth mentioning.

Keeping my expression calm, I turned back.

“Ricky must be mistaken,” I said with a shrug, trying to play it off. “You can’t trust a drunk and an addict. A stranger stumbled across me while I was feeding, that’s all.”

Theo laughed, nodding in agreement. “Gabriel’s right. Humans like that can’t be trusted.”

But Gael didn’t look convinced. His gaze narrowed, a flicker of suspicion shadowing his face.

I felt his eyes rake over me, trying to catch a tell, anything that would confirm his suspicions.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I said, forcing a relaxed tone, “I need to feed.”

“Oh, and our food here at home isn’t good enough for you anymore?” Gael’s mocking smile sent a chill down my spine.

“Can’t blame him for wanting to try new cuisine,” Theo added with a smirk.

I took their distraction as an opportunity to slip out through the garden gate and into the street.

A pulse of relief washed over me, but I couldn’t ignore the gnawing tension in my gut. Gael wasn’t one to let things go easily.

If he had any suspicion about Finn, he’d find a way to drag it to the surface.

I hurried down the street, pausing only to check my phone. A few texts from Finn blinked back at me, asking if I’d be there soon.

I texted back that I was on my way, but first, I needed to be cautious.

Gael wouldn’t give up so easily. I’d need to throw off any scent he might try to follow.

I ducked into a few nest-owned establishments, lingering just long enough to blend in.

I even fed briefly on a volunteer at one of the clubs, creating an alibi in case anyone questioned my whereabouts.

Finally, I slipped into a late-night burger joint, ordering a greasy takeout bag that was really for Finn.

By the time I finally reached the safe house, the city lights were bright in the evening dark, casting a fractured glow over the dingy apartment complex.

I slipped inside and made my way to Finn’s door, feeling a knot of tension ease as I finally reached him.

As soon as I stepped inside, Finn looked up from his spot at the table, his eyes narrowing in mock irritation.

“That took forever,” he grumbled.

I held up the takeout bag.

“Had to cover my tracks in case Gael, this vampire that doesn’t like me, decided to tail me. He’s suspicious,” I warned, though I couldn’t hide the small smile at his impatience. “Here, I brought you something.”

Finn’s irritation melted instantly.

He practically snatched the bag from my hands, immediately reaching in to pull out the first thing his hands found. A double cheeseburger.

He tore into it, hardly bothering to look at what he was eating.

I took a seat across from him, watching in silence, almost transfixed by the normalcy of it all.

There was something endearing, almost grounding, in watching him eat. In a life as volatile as ours, a moment like this felt… right.

Finn paused, catching me staring.

“What?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “Something on my face?”

I shook my head, a small smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth.

“I just like watching you eat. Makes me feel human again,” I told him.

He rolled his eyes, but there was a softness in his gaze.

“Oh, right.” He took another bite, chewing thoughtfully before he glanced up at me. “Do you miss it?” he asked quietly. “Eating real food?”

“A little,” I admitted, “but now I can live vicariously through you.”

Finn snorted, rolling his eyes, but there was a flicker of something else there.

Something vulnerable, hidden beneath the usual sarcasm.

The air between us was thick, filled with things neither of us dared to say out loud.

His presence had shaken something loose in me. A part of myself I thought I’d lost the night I’d turned.

A part that remembered warmth, comfort… love.

Before I knew it, I reached across the table, my hand hovering inches from his.

I could see the surprise flash in his eyes, but he didn’t pull away.

Slowly, he turned his hand over, letting our fingers wind together, tentative but steady.

He was looking at me now, his eyes full of questions, his grip on my hand tightening.

I felt a flicker of fear that he might slip away, that this fragile connection would shatter if I held on too tightly.

I gave his hand a squeeze, pulling him to his feet.

His breath hitched as I stepped closer, his face inches from mine, our hands still linked between us.

“Finn,” I murmured. “I don’t know what’s going to happen next. The smartest thing to do is tell you to forget me, forget all this ever happened, but I’m selfish.”

His gaze softened, his lips parting, and I could feel his pulse quicken.

“I don’t want to forget either,” he whispered, his words barely a breath.

Before either of us could say anything else, I leaned in, plundered his mouth.

Our kiss deepened, and I felt the world shrink down to the sensation of Finn’s lips against mine, his breath warm, his heartbeat erratic beneath my touch.

For a moment, it was like nothing else existed. No Guild, no nest, no danger. Just us.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes locked on mine, and there was a softness there, a vulnerability that I rarely saw from him.

The edges of his mouth quirked up in a shy, almost nervous smile.

His fingers still clung to my shirt, as if he were afraid that letting go might make me disappear.

“Gabriel…” he murmured, voice barely a whisper.

My name on his lips was enough to undo me.

I reached up, brushing a thumb over his cheek, tracing the line of his jaw, unable to believe he was here with me, after everything.

We both undressed in a hurry.