Page 64 of Kingly Bitten

“Sometimes your actions suggest otherwise.”

“I’m just living on the edge,” he drawled. “But if Cam is down there, I’ll risk everything for him.”

“And that’s exactly why you’re the man for this job,” Jace agreed, releasing the other man. “I expect a full report by dawn.”

Damien gave a little wave as he led the Vigils toward the plane they’d arrived on. I was only vaguely aware of the plan.

Damien and the Vigils were going to Bunker 27 to complete the data transfer. Then Damien would meet up with Luka—the Alpha of Majestic Clan—and take over the bunker.

Meanwhile, Darius had arranged for us to travel to Lajos Region. They had a pretty good idea of where Bunker 37 was located because of Vigil One’s directions, so they were opting to use the trip as a research opportunity and as an alibi of sorts for Jace in case anything went wrong at Bunker 27.

Jace extended a hand toward me. “Come, little genius. It’s time for you to learn your new purpose in my world.”

My stomach churned at the words. “M-my new purpose?”

“Yes.” He locked gazes with me. “Congratulations, Calina. You just became a favored member of my harem. Which means I now have six hours to teach you what that means. We’ll start by changing your wardrobe into something more suitable. Now let’s go.”

20

Jace

“This is a terrible idea,”Darius muttered as Juliet and Calina disappeared into the back cabin of the plane.

I set my glass of red wine on the executive lounge table and faced him. “How else am I going to explain her presence and Ryder’s plane?” I asked him. “It makes perfect sense that Lilith would call me in to try to wrangle the old vampire, just as it’s quite plausible I would find a human of my liking and take her back with me.”

“She has no record in the system—”

“Something Damien is going to fix for us on his way to Bunker 27,” I interjected.

“And she has no formal training,” he added, ignoring my interruption. “It’s taken Juliet months to achieve the perfect charade. We have less than six hours to create a similar one for Calina. I’m not sure it can be done, Jace. She’s too…” He waved a hand at the back door, as though that explained it all.

Unfortunately, it did. Because I understood exactly what he meant.

Calina exuded a confidence most humans lacked, and she didn’t possess the sexual countenance typically required of my lovers.

However, the only way to explain her presence at my side was to introduce her as a new harem member. I had a reputation to keep up, at least for a little while longer, and that meant Calina had a very important part to play.

“She’s intelligent,” I said, the defense an easy one to make. “She’s also strategic. If anyone can learn this role in six hours, it’s her.”

“You sound so certain after knowing her for a handful of hours.”

Technically, it was days, but I didn’t bother arguing over frivolous semantics.

“I’ve always been quick to assess those around me,” I reminded him. “I’m not wrong about her.”

“Says the man who thought she betrayed us earlier today.”

“Hmm, no. That was more of a hope than a fact,” I admitted. “The notion of punishing her is quite enticing.”

Darius considered that for a moment, then sighed as he combed his fingers through his dark hair. “Well, at least the attraction won’t need to be faked.”

“It rarely is,” I murmured, purposely striking a button. Because if we were going to pull this off, I needed him and Juliet to play along. Society knew Darius and I shared similar tastes in women, which meant if I found Calina appealing, he would, too.

Sharing was a mandate in this new world, something my sovereign despised. Juliet was very much his, and I respected that. But that didn’t mean the others would feel the same.

Therefore, we put on a charade. Everyone thought I was smitten with Juliet, thus providing Darius a reason to keep her as hisErosita. It made her less breakable, which allowed me to play to my heart’s content. Mostly, anyway.Erositascouldn’t be fucked by anyone other than their vampire soul mate.

But in reality, I only touched her in public. And even then, I kept it playful in manner rather than overtly sexual.