Page 109 of Taming His Vampire Mate

It was very tempting.

I gave my reflection a wink. I barely recognized the happy vampire staring back at me. Though I had memorized my appearance after centuries of seeing myself in mirrors, this newversion—without haunted eyes or a perpetual sour expression—was a stranger.

I wanted to get to know him better.

The overhead light flickered, plunging the bathroom into total darkness.

When the lights came back on, a man stood directly behind me in the mirror.

Godric’s eyes met mine, and he smiled. “Hello, Thierry. We’re overdue for a chat.”

Ice lanced through me. But I locked eyes with his reflection. “You’re not really here.”

“No,” he agreed. “I’m somewhere else. Would you like to know where?”

“I’m fairly certain I don’t care. If I see you again, I’ll drive a wooden stake through your heart.”

“Ah, but what about Danny?”

“Excuse me?”

Godric smiled, his dark eyes boring into me. “He and Michael have a very nice house in Gold Bar. I can’t say much for the town, but itissecluded. Anything could happen to them out there, and the neighbors would never know.”

“Leave them alone.”

“After you left Rookwood, I realized I might need leverage. Michael is your progeny, is he not? Naturally, I’d start with Danny first and work up to Michael. If memory serves, you’ve never been especially agreeable.”

“Don’t hurt them.” I couldn’t stop the quaver in my voice.

“I’d rather not,” Godric said, inclining his head. “They seem very happy, don’t they? With Tobias and Bryan in the mix, they’re one big family. Not to mention Bryan’s young progeny.” He tapped his temple. “Bryan and Tobias are out of town. They flew out yesterday—something about a bus accident in Florida. Lots of wounded people to go heal.”

A sick feeling gripped me—he knew everything. All the best ways to hurt me.

Godric paused, watching me. “I truly don’t want to do them any harm. I promise.”

“What do you want, then?”

“That is better as a face-to-face conversation.” His smile thinned, eyes glinting dangerously. “You will come to me. Now. It is as simple as that.”

Icy panic tore through me at the thought of Godric anywhere near the people I cared for. And though centuries had passed since I had last seen him, I knew he wouldn’t hesitate to use any of them as leverage. He’d hurt them unless I did as he asked.

He’d learned that from Magnus.

“You’re bluffing,” I said, wishing it were true.

He shook his head, oddly resigned. As if all of this was inevitable. Regrettable, but inevitable.

“Pick up your phone.”

Still staring at him in the mirror, I pulled my phone from my pocket. It chimed—a new text. No words. Just an image of Michael and Danny’s house.

“I amnotbluffing,” Godric said. “We can behave like civilized creatures, or I can paint the town red, starting with your friends. Your call.”

I stared at the image, fear twisting my stomach into knots. “Fine.”

“You have one hour to get here.” He inclined his head. Then paused. “I’ll be watching you. If you say a word to the wolf or anyone else, the deal is off. And whatever happens next will be on your hands. I’ll start with Danny, but I won’t stop there.”

And with that, he vanished.