Page 117 of Taming His Vampire Mate

Yes. He says he just wants to talk.

Jeremy growled low, baring his teeth.

“Thierry, would you mind calling off the hounds?” Godric’s tone was mild, though his gaze lingered uneasily on Poppy. I didn’t blame him. Whatever her spell would do, it wasn’t going to be pleasant. “Your witch in particular. Before she kills me, if you please.”

Poppy shot me a questioning look. I nodded. Scowling, she let the spell sputter out.

“Where are Danny and Michael?” Nathaniel demanded, glaring. “If you’ve harmed them—”

Godric sighed theatrically and gestured toward the back door.

“Come!” he called loudly.

Footsteps pounded toward us. The door flew open.

“What the fuck was that?” Michael demanded—then froze, staring. No doubt it was a bizarre tableau: an ancient vampire with jet-black hair, surrounded by half a dozen of our most powerful allies, with a massive werewolf in tow.

“It was just a bit of thrall,” Godric replied smoothly. “No harm done.”

“You weren’t eveninside.” Danny appeared beside Michael, wary. “We just… froze. We couldn’t move.”

Godric shrugged, amusement tugging at his lips. “Trust me, young ones, the alternative was far worse. I was actually rather gentle with you.”

“Thierry, please do be a darling and tell us what is going on,” Simone said, never taking her eyes off Godric.

That would be good,Jeremy agreed gruffly, his voice brushing my mind.

“Um, hi!” Rico chimed brightly before I could reply. I hadn’t even noticed him appear beside Danny. “Being frozen was super weird. Like, I could think, but I didn’t evenwantto move.” He bounced on his toes, practically vibrating. “Also, just saying, but this is so awesome! My first ever real-life battle with an ancient badass vampire.” He paused, glancing around. “Wow. Pretty much everyone’s here, huh?”

Against my will, something swelled in my chest. My friends had come ready to fight. I had trusted them—and they’d come through for me.

And I had trusted Jeremy. He had come through, too.

Always,he agreed.

I gave him a sharp nod, my eyes prickling in a decidedly unseemly way as I realized: if Godric had been evil—if he’d tried to kill me—they would have saved my life.

Godric climbed to his feet, his gaze locking on Rico.

“It’s you,” he breathed, eyes wide.

“Hi.” Rico gave him a fearless wave. “Yup, I’m definitely me!” He cocked his head, then added, “Err, no offense to your general badassery or anything, but you’re way less scary than I thought you’d be.”

Godric didn’t answer. He just stared at Rico, lips parted, eyes wide, looking dumbstruck—as if Poppy had enchanted him, after all.

“Uh—why is he staring at me like that?” Rico stage-whispered. “Is he okay?”

Jeremy, still in wolf form, let out a sound halfway between a growl and a bark. Amusement rushed through the blood bond, and I interpreted it as the wolf equivalent of laughter.

“Um,” Michael said, breaking the silence. He shot Danny a look. “Huh. Well. This is awkward, isn’t it?”

Godric stepped closer to Rico, prompting Danny to move in front of him, eyes hard. “Back off.”

“All this time, and it’s beenyou,” Godric murmured, ignoring him. “It’s always been you.”

“Is he for real?” Michael demanded.

“I mean him no harm,” Godric said, gaze still fixed on Rico. “I swear it.”