Page 2 of Taming His Vampire Mate

Rico brightened. “Really?”

“Oh, don’t lie to the boy,” I said, rolling my eyes. “He’ll learn nothing that way.”

Everyone glared at me.

“Fine,” I muttered. “I’ll take a muffin.”

Bryan smirked as Rico handed me a blackened lump that felt like stone.

“Four dads and one grumpy uncle,” Rico said happily. “Weird family, I guess, but it works.”

“I’m not part of your family,” I said immediately, as Tobias and Michael both bit back laughter. I didn’t even care that I sounded like a proper twat. The idea needed squashing.

“Nope, pretty sure you are,” Rico said solemnly. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have taken my muffin.” He paused, biting his lower lip as he eyed the burnt lump in my hand. “But, um… You don’t need to eat it. They came out a little hard this time.”

“They’re completely inedible,” I agreed, taking a bite that threatened to crack the enamel on my teeth. Somehow, the muffin managed to simultaneously taste like Styrofoam and charcoal. I swallowed.

“I wonder who your mate will be?” Rico mused, leaning in and studying me thoughtfully. “I mean, that’s what this spell is all about, right? You’re testing this on yourself first to make sure it works.” Then he paused. “It’s still wild that magic is real. It feels like a fairy tale.”

“Brothers Grimm, maybe,” Michael said wryly. “Also, give Thierry his personal bubble back. Before he breaks you in half.”

Rico snorted but took a dutiful step backward.

I fought the urge to scowl. Truthfully, most of the people I’d foolishly let myself care about were gathered in this room. Not that they needed to know that. They’d become even more insufferable if I ever admitted it aloud.

“It doesn’t matter who my mate is,” I muttered, mostly speaking to myself. “Once I meet him, whoever he is, I’ll know the spell works. I have no intention of establishing a relationship.”

“You can’t honestly believe it’ll be that easy,” Bryan said, sounding incredulous. “Thierry, come on. Once you meet your mate, your entire world expands to include them. They become a huge part of your destiny. It’s right there in the name: fated mates. You won’t be immune to that.”

“Bryan’s right. You’ll need to let him in, whoever he is,” Tobias said. He traded a meaningful look with Bryan, then turned back to me. “After that, the rest works itself out.”

I smiled, showing plenty of teeth. It wasn’t a nice smile. Nor was it meant to be. That anyone would tie me down—or that I’d expose myself to another person onpurpose—was ludicrous.

Bryan and Tobias blanched. Everyone did, with the two annoying exceptions of Michael and Rico. Neither seemed the least bit fazed. But then, they weren’t nearly frightened enough of me. They never had been. They both seemed to think they knew the real me.

Worse yet, they might’ve been right.

“We’ll see about that,” I said coldly, speaking to Bryan, Tobias, and everyone else. “I’ve gone eight centuries without a mate. I don’t needanyone.”

My many years of life had taught me one simple truth: I was far better off alone. And I always would be.

* * *

“Are you ready to do this?” Poppy Hawthorne asked an hour later, her vibrant green eyes narrowing at me. She clutched a copper bowl to her chest, filled with handfuls of dried flowers. We were gathered in the clearing behind Michael and Danny’s home. It was just before midnight, the full moon shining overhead, and I was surrounded on all sides by vampires and witches. She added, “Yes or no, Thierry.”

I arched an eyebrow. Silly witch. Of course I was ready.

“Naturally. Just as I was the last six times you attempted this. As long as you don’t set me ablaze, we’re golden.”

She narrowed her eyes, looking like a peeved woodland sprite. “That was one time.”

“The last time,” I countered.

She sighed, shaking her head. “Before I begin, you should know this spell taps into—”

“Do I truly need to know how it works?” I interrupted.

She paused to glare at me. “Um, maybe? Since the spell I’m casting on you messes with fate itself and is completely uncharted territory, I’m going with yes. That way you can give informed consent in case I accidentally blow you up or turn you into a toad.”