Page 13 of The Huntress (The Blood of Legends #1)

Chapter Thirteen

HER BIG MOUTH

“Y our hair is beautiful,” Gabe muttered as he ushered her out the door.

Callie touched her hair, amazed to find it dry. How had he done that? She ran behind him, struggling to match his long strides as he led her through a hidden door, down a tunnel, and out into the night.

“Gabe,” she pleaded, her calves burning as she did double the effort to match his gait.

“No more, Callie. Do not tempt me now. We must see my brother or else.”

She wanted to snort despite the joy bursting like fireworks in her chest. She tempted him? Was he insane? “I know, but I can’t keep up.”

He paused, and his gaze roved over her as if studying her flushed face before sweeping her into his arms and breaking into a super-fast run. She squealed in surprise and grabbed his shoulders for stability.

After a few minutes, she relaxed and admired the night sky sparkling with stars, the cool breeze refreshing on her flustered face. “You said your brother. What should I expect?”

“He’s my younger brother. We converted together.” His voice had a faraway sound to it, as if he was remembering that day. “I am stronger than he is, and he leads because I won’t challenge him for the position.”

“Does he fear that one day you might?” Why weren’t suckbloods involved in human politics? With their uber-powers, they could ascend to presidency. Syl would give Carter a run for his money. Perhaps it was for the best. She didn’t need to investigate yet another power-crazed maniac.

Gabe sliced a glance at her, and a smile teased his lips. “Yes.” He looked away. “We are almost there.” He stopped, jarring her, then lowered his gaze to hers. “I need you to agree to everything I say. You’re in my world now. In Val’s too. If they discover your unique flavor, your ability to resist pheromones…I might not be strong enough to save you.” He grimaced, whatever his imagination conjured, it didn’t look pleasant.

“All right, then Val afterward?”

“Yes. As you saw, younglings remain separate. Their monstrous thirst is the reason why vampires have a bloody history.” He broke into a run again.

“No pun intended?” she teased.

He grinned, but didn’t dip his head to look at her. “Callie, perhaps you shouldn’t mention your sister for now. Your scent and blood are unusual. I would prefer we don’t share this in case it endangers her. Let her grow stronger first.”

She didn’t know what conversion did to a cancer patient, so if he believed Val needed time, then Callie had to agree with him. She didn’t have to like it, though. Like letting Val go to chemo on her own. The first few times Callie had accompanied her, she’d sobbed in the bathroom stall. She hadn’t been strong for Val at all.

“I defer to you on this.” She had to trust him, trust that Val could survive this. Burying her face in his neck, Callie inhaled, relishing the masculine scent of him.

Hot damn. What the hell happened? She went from “the law is neutral” to sniffing a suckblood. There were men she’d given a second glance, but life had distracted her, and she’d let it, not having the energy to thwart Mike’s cockblocking. Therein lay the crux of the matter. He wasn’t here, and even if he was, she wanted Gabe, wanted to know him better in more ways than carnal. Although, that played a major role in her reactions, decisions, and behavior. She wouldn’t lie to herself about that. Adding his consideration, thoughtfulness, and kindness, he’d done everything to negate her skewed opinion on suckbloods.

Having always considered herself impartial, she grimaced. She’d deceived herself for so long. Had Dad known? Her fellow officers? How long had she hated suckbloods and beasts? Racism in its purest form. Each species had their rotten apples, yet she’d painted them with the same brush, judging them on their worst examples. Call it hatred, fear, or distrust, but she didn’t socialize with any, and didn’t speak to non-humans other than to mete out justice. She buried her face deeper as if it could hide her shame. Within one day, she’d learned much about her own character, and it wasn’t pleasant. Could she face a suckblood without her preconceived notions and expectations?

Gabe halted, and she studied their surroundings, tightening her grip around his neck. They were at an entrance to a building that was unusual for this part of the country. Italian design, with vaulted arches, sandstone, and wall-mounted candelabras casting rippling gold flames and ebony shadows.

He lowered her to her feet, and she clung to his dry shirt. The run hadn’t drawn a drop of perspiration from him. “Thank you,” she said, her ingrained manners coming to the forefront.

“Always my pleasure,” he said, his voice husky. It skittered along her senses like velvet on her skin.

“Lord Sylvester awaits you in the hall,” a man said, surprising her.

She hadn’t noticed his appearance. Why ? She shook her head to clear her lust-fogged mind.

“Of course he does.” Gabe tugged her behind him, his fingers laced with hers.

He had the right of it. She was in his world now. Even though, as a tough detective, having dealt with all manner of criminals no matter their species, she had to trust him. Him, a suckblood. Who was to say he would survive this meeting with his brother? She studied his broad shoulders and confident stride. Maybe he’d risk his life to save hers.

Or not.

If he decided to kill her, it would be like swatting a bug for him. She’d seen how easily the suckbloods killed, draining and tossing women as if they weighed nothing. Not one suckblood had walked away with defensive wounds. Without her arsenal, she couldn’t defend herself, which left her at Gabe’s mercy.

She shivered, not liking being vulnerable, and as she fought back the panic rising like a lump of lead in her throat, she reminded herself she didn’t have many choices here. She could succumb to this attraction and pray Gabe was an honorable man. A suckblood honorable? Okay, so trusting him might take longer, but it came back to her choices. Trust him and see where his intentions lay or run from him. Would he hunt her? Her instincts welled up, pressing on her chest and speeding her heartbeat. Yes. Would he hurt her? Butterflies exploded into a crescendo, freezing her lungs. No . So escape wasn’t the best solution, according to her instincts.

“Should I be submissive?” she asked, her voice soft. She wished she’d thought to discuss strategy or expected behavior for a human amid a suckblood’s stronghold.

His chuckle was delicious and wicked as if he loved the idea of her being submissive. He arched a brow at her, his gaze roaming her body.

“Gabe,” she moaned, blushing at where his thoughts must have gone. The idea of using her handcuffs on him had her butterflies pooling in the pit of her stomach.

“Be yourself, Callie.” His broad smile dimpled his cheeks. “You’ve watched too many vampire movies.”

Despite her burning cheeks, she chuckled and trailed him as he pushed through a hefty wooden door. It opened into a massive hall with a vaulted ceiling painted like a cathedral. Its immense size snatched her breath, the colors vibrant and depicting naked bodies like the Greek paintings of old.

She returned the curiosity of the many vampires studying them. They had her at a disadvantage, and their numbers forced her to trust the man holding her hand. One or two, she could take on, but an entire hall? She flashed a smile. If only they knew she went commando . Someone up front on the dais chuckled, causing Gabe to glance at her, a question in his eyes. Shit, did these people have unique gifts? Could they read her thoughts?

Yes, to the gifts, but only I have this talent. I’m surprised I can read you.

Callie stiffened as the voice flitted through her mind. How the hell had she not known about this? That there was one who could read minds was alarming, but not as daunting as the possibility of hundreds. She grinned, content to settle for one mind reader than a roomful.

Upon a dais sat a man in a throne-like chair. Holy shit…Sylvester? He resembled Gabe. What she’d seen of Syl made her sneer. All those women circling him, his confident stride through the docks, enticing Val to attempt suicide. He was selfish and arrogant—all the traits she’d painted suckbloods with. How could he be Gabe’s brother when they were so vastly different?

He can be selfish and arrogant, but he has his reasons. The voice floated through her mind again.

Who are you? She studied the faces before her, trying to determine—in vain—who could read her mind as if there would be an outward, physical characteristic. Yet another thing not in her officer’s handbook. God only knew what else they didn’t know. If their knowledge on suckbloods was lacking, their knowledge on beasts was as suspect.

You know me, Callista. I’m strangely disappointed to see you so intimate with Gabriel.

“Syl,” Gabe said, drawing her attention as he addressed his brother.

“Devereaux, what a surprise.”

She focused on the vampire before her. He was tall and as well-built as Gabe, with the same hair and eyes. His nostrils flared as if he scented the air. She didn’t like him, or anyone other than Gabe, doing that. It made her feel violated. Cold slithered along her nerve endings with a sense of filth coating her soul.

“Of all the detectives, you are by far my favorite.”

She scowled. She didn’t want to be his anything. Fury tore through her, and she trembled with restraint. She gripped Gabe’s hand like a lifeline. Attacking his brother might not go well with the spectators or with Gabe. Not to mention, she’d lose and die.

“You set my sister up to this, asshole,” she said, the words coming from behind clenched teeth. She was furious with him, but more with herself. After all, it was her fault Val had met the bastard in the first place. She might have ignored the flyer. And for all Callie knew, when they met, Syl could’ve offered Val a guarantee of sorts. “You had the canister, but no, you had to fuck with my life.”

He appeared indifferent to her accusation, which riled her further. Red circled her vision. She sucked in gulps of air.

“Entertaining, as usual, Devereaux. What happened to the woman who liked the look and scent of me?” He stepped forward as if to touch her.

She bristled—if he laid a hand on her, she’d take a piece of him. She wasn’t completely helpless. Gabe laced his fingers through hers and tugged her back.

Syl studied her, then Gabe before chuckling, surprise softening his features. “Never mind, I see you’ve made a champion of my brother.”

“Your brother has a will of his own,” she snarled. If the suckbloods thought she’d show this idiot any respect, they were sadly mistaken.

“She defends you, Gabriel? This is too delightful for words.” Syl raised a hand to touch her hair, but she jerked away from him. “Darius?” Sighing, he lowered his hand before tilting his head toward Darius who stood to the side.

“Yes, it is her, Lord Sylvester.” The damn whine hadn’t left his voice.

Coward. She smirked.

Shifting her focus between Syl and Darius, she wondered what the point was of this meeting. Darius’s annoying presence had her thinking he was at the core of it.

With a telepath in the room, her thoughts weren’t her own. She pictured a wall, building it around her mind like she’d read about in her paranormal romance novels. Much to her chagrin, she’d fantasized about suckbloods and beasts, but the fictional ones weren’t as disagreeable as the real ones.

She didn’t want her mental intruder to hear her thoughts about Syl and Darius, or worse, Val. She wasn’t certain the wall would work, but she tried it anyway. Doing something was better than standing idly by and allowing someone to mind-fuck her.

Mind-fuck? the voice whispered. There was a familiar quality to it. She shook her head and focused on strengthening her wall and her musings.

What the hell was this royal suckblood doing wandering around the docks in the middle of the night? In a tux, too? He’d said the canister held their future. Leo had said it wasn’t a weapon, but how well did she know Leo? Could she trust he hadn’t lied to her?

It’s not a weapon.

Get out of my head! she shot back.

“You’ve upset Darius by taking his toy.” Syl addressed their audience as if this was a theater performance.

She tightened her hand on Gabe’s while she added a thick layer of concrete to her mental wall.

If this idiot thinks I will choose Darius—

He’s my king, but yes, he does sometimes do idiotic things.

Like have a woman blow him in the middle of a ballroom. She searched the crowd for Leo. If Syl was here, where was his shadow?

You saw that? How did you see that, Callista?

She didn’t answer him.

“I don’t give a shit about Darius. If the fool hadn’t intruded…” Gabe’s voice resonated with anger. “Regardless, I speak the Rite of Adsumo over Callista, as you now bear witness to.”

The crowd gasped, followed by shocked murmurs. She glanced at Gabe then at the surrounding suckbloods. Was this what he’d asked her to agree to? Okay… Adsumo . It sounded ancient, like something tribal and best left in a dark cave miles beneath the earth’s surface. Not knowing what it was, she reserved judgment. For all she knew, it could mean sex for a while, or keeping her as his pet or as his personal feeder, although he’d denied the latter. Judging the crowd’s reaction, claiming her was something not done lightly. Regardless, she didn’t want to agree to any of them.

“She’ll weaken you.” Syl’s eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and anger. “You haven’t announced the rights over anyone, not in centuries.”

Whoa. What Syl said made her instincts leap again. First, centuries? Gabe was that old? They had longevity, but she hadn’t realized it spanned hundreds of years. Second, how could keeping a feeder weaken him?

She scowled, not liking the idea of causing anyone harm, not after the countless partners injured in the line of duty because of her.

You have chosen your champion wisely, Callista.

“He cannot have her. She’s mine,” Darius whined.

Syl flicked his hand at him to be quiet.

Darius stilled, his blatant obedience lowering her opinion of him, not that he had far to go.

“Devereaux, have you bewitched my brother as you have tempted my advisor?” Syl asked her with honest interest on his face. Gone was the annoying smirk, the pseudo-charm in his voice. Instead, he arched a brow and peered into her eyes with unwavering curiosity.

She suspected genuine expressions were rare for him. “What the hell are you talking about?” she asked. He was a blithering idiot.

He means me. You have tempted me…

I don’t know you! Why isn’t my wall working?

Syl tutted. “I suppose I’m being an idiot. You’re human, are you not?”

“Yes,” she said. “You’re being an idiot.”

She smirked, ignoring the discontent that rippled through their audience. She was being a smartass, but he did irritate her. Then again, his twinkling gray eyes denoting his peaked humor didn’t please her, either. She hated him with the passion of a thousand suns. This level of hatred surprised her. He took the canister from her, made her endure two full treatments, and still managed to convince her sister to attempt suicide. If he’d cost her Val, then she supposed her hatred was justifiable. She wasn’t one to blindly hate, though. Or so she’d thought.

“Has she agreed?” Syl faced Gabe even though he addressed the crowd.

“Yes.” Callie raised her chin to project her voice. Time to step out on faith. Gabe had asked her to agree, and if it wasn’t to her liking, whatever this rights nonsense was, she’d give him more than a piece of her mind.

She wouldn’t humiliate Gabe by debating this in front of his people, specifically in front of his too-cocky-by-far asshat brother. Syl winning so much as an argument was unacceptable. Besides, how bad could claiming be?

Honorable.

Is there any way I can get you to shut up? She huffed.

Syl approached her. “Come forward, Devereaux.”

Gabe guided her to the front but kept her pressed to the length of him. Her back rested against his solid chest, the heated strength of him warming her. As she stood before Syl, she added a layer of reinforced steel bars to her mental wall. It wasn’t working since the telepath wouldn’t shut up, but she was stubborn.

She held Syl’s gaze, determined to be strong for Gabe, for her survival. Syl puffed up as Darius had done, mesmerizing her.

A scent surrounded her, one that was like Gabe’s—forest, grass, and masculinity, but with hints of grapefruit. The scent wasn’t one she liked or disliked. It simply wasn’t preferable.

Gabe’s hold on her arms tightened, and she assumed what Syl was doing wasn’t to his liking, either. She studied Syl, her focus unwavering. Yes, he was handsome, but he lacked…muchness.

She giggled… muchness? She did feel as if she’d fallen down a rabbit hole.

Syl’s eyes widened at her laugh. A chuckle came from the side, a sound familiar to her. Before she could search for the man, Syl’s voice drew her attention.

“What, pray tell, do you find amusing?”

“That you puff up your chest and expect me to swoon at your feet.” Her laughter rose from her belly, deep and joyful.

It felt good to laugh, the warmth unexpected and freeing. Val’s impending death had dampened any joy she found, but now she had a second chance at life.

“It’s as I suspected, I didn’t affect you at the docks either,” Syl said. “Nor in your sister’s apartment.”

“I don’t ally myself with criminals.” Callie glared.

“Criminals? I like her, Gabriel,” he said to his brother. “May I?” he asked permission, something which was unheard of, judging by the audience’s strangled gasps or barks of outrage.

Get a television, for fuck’s sake.

“If she allows it,” Gabe said, placing the decision upon her.

Had he not, she might have become belligerent. She nodded, the quicker she did whatever, the quicker she could see Val.

“Callie, would you allow me to scent and taste you?”

That Syl was asking made an impression on her. He could take what he wanted, and she would be helpless against him.

She looked to Gabe for guidance. His nod was slight.

“If it ends this farce.” She stepped forward, her left hand still clasping Gabe’s, the touch of his fingers a safety anchor.

The realization she was the only doe amid a hall filled with hunters had her heart skittering and her cinched lungs limiting her ability to breathe. If the shit hit the fan, she needed to be close to Gabe.

The crowd watched in breathless silence. She frowned. These people were weird. What did it matter if the suckblood-sire tasted her? There wasn’t enough blood in her body for them all to sample her. And damn it, Gabe better make sure that didn’t happen.

Syl met her halfway and buried his face in her neck. He moaned, the sound deep and penetrating, reverberating through her. It was too appreciative for her liking.

“She does smell good.” He searched for someone behind him before leaning back to study her, taking her right hand into his.

He pricked a finger with his sharp teeth, squeezing to draw a drop of blood. He licked it and gaped. “Caramel.”

A rumble ran through the crowd, and with it came betrayal. She was Gabe’s ready-meal and fuckbuddy. Pain constricted her chest, piercing her heart with unerring accuracy.

Syl glanced at Gabe, and the expression had her panicking. “Do you think…?”

Gabe had said they couldn’t taste salt or sweet from other foods and only savory from blood. She leaned into him to whisper. He dipped his head to her level, and her lips brushed his earlobe. A tremor raked through him, but she ignored it when anger consumed her current mood. No one liked to be used.

“Is that why you want me? You said I wasn’t your feeder.” She grimaced, her voice revealing her turmoil.

She couldn’t school her features, hurt and angry with herself he’d lied to her, and she’d lapped it up. She’d trusted him, believed every seductive word dripping from his sensual mouth. How na?ve could she be? So gullible?

Like someone as good-looking at Gabe would like her for something more than food? A detective? A human? She complicated his life just by being who she was. Why would he take on such a nuisance?

He didn’t answer her. Instead, he studied her face. What he saw she didn’t know. A feeling of entrapment swirled in the pit of her stomach, overriding the peace she’d experienced seconds ago.

Could she run from him, find Val, and escape this place? Were there side effects to conversion, like losing one’s memories? The idea of Val seeing Callie as food gripped her. Shit, she was so in trouble here.

Valerie is safe, the voice said.

Get. Out. Of. My. Head. She added enough anger in her mental voice to bring heat to her cheeks. She searched the hall for exits. There were a few unguarded, as if they’d never needed to consider preventing someone from leaving.

“No, you mean more to me than the flavor of your blood. Everything in my being wants you.”

Gabe brushed his arousal across her hip, dispelling any doubts about his desire for her. He felt hard, hot, but it could be a ruse. After seeing Syl’s spectacular sexcapade at the mayor’s ball… She shot Gabe a look, implying they’d talk about this later. Once he escorted her to Val, she might make a run for it, especially if his explanation was weak.

She faced Syl again. He offered her a large strawberry. Where he’d gotten it, she didn’t know. With a shrug, she took it and bit into it. She was hungry. Everyone watched her eat, making her self-conscious as she chewed. After swallowing, she extended her hand to Syl, assuming this was like the coffee incident. He pricked her finger and licked it again. His groan of pleasure was genuine.

“Strawberry! It’s been years…” His hold on her tightened as his gray-eyed gaze traveled her face in delight and confusion.

Oh, shit. Her focus shifted from Syl to Gabe. What now? Why the hell did it matter if she tasted like strawberries?

You smelled delicious that night we met.

Wait. She recognized that voice, that phrase.

Leo? You’re here? Damn it, you suckblood. I could’ve done with a friendly face. So you watched me squirm out of boredom?

She didn’t want to entertain these sycophants. She was here for Val and only Val. Yet now she’d gone and agreed to Gabe claiming her. Fuck. If only she could blame Gabe’s pheromones, she could’ve at least had that excuse. Could she plead insanity?

Syl grinned and released her to slap his brother on the back. “I second your Rite of Adsumo , Gabriel. She’s worthy of you.”

Gabe’s shoulders relaxed, and she almost followed suit, wanting to burrow into the safety of his arms. Instead, she stiffened her spine and tried to pull her hand out of his. Her word and honor trapped her, but that didn’t mean she had to agree to everything he said and did. She still had free will, didn’t she?

You’re beautiful, Callista. Your honor is precious.

“I don’t approve.” Darius stepped toward them. “I saw her first.”

“Callie, do you accept Darius?” Syl sighed.

She sensed he asked as a formality. “No,” she said, her tone firm.

“There’s your answer, Darius.”

Darius lunged for her. Before he could take a step though, an unseen force snapped his neck. She gasped, her hold tightening on Gabe’s waist. Holy shit! She’d never seen anything like that before. How na?ve had she been to go into fights with just her dipped daggers?

“Thank you, Leo,” Syl said as a tall blond-haired man stepped over Darius’s slumped form, a man she recognized.

Leo crossed to Syl and acknowledged his thanks with a nod. “Callie, this is Leo, my advisor. You’ve met before, I believe.”

Leo stopped in front of her, and as she studied his familiar features, the tension between her shoulders eased. He could have killed her three times already. Would he be her ally if she needed one?

Yes, but you don’t need me, Callista.

“Leo,” she said, by way of greeting.

His bow was formal as he flashed a grin. Gabe frowned, his expression intense. She gave him a look that said she’d explain later.

“No more suicide attempts?” Leo teased.

She shook her head. He held out a hand, palm upward, and out of nowhere, a tumbler of burnished gold liquid appeared. She gasped and accepted it from him, a little dazzled. She raised it to her lips and sipped the best scotch she’d ever tasted. The intensity of it warmed her stomach, swirling like a voracious lion. She downed it and gave him back his glass. It disappeared before her eyes. Right, yet another talent she didn’t know about.

“And?” Syl asked Leo.

With a chuckle, the tall man shook his head, his pale-gold hair brushed his shoulders in the process. “Snippets, as usual.”

“Nothing?” Syl asked. “As per the ball?”

“There was something when she entered, but once she realized I was there…” Leo shrugged. “She has compartmentalized her thoughts. I can share in a few, and only those she deems acceptable.”

“Well, well, Devereaux. A fountain of surprises.” Syl grinned, shaking his head in disbelief. “Could you train her, Leo?”

It’s a pity you belong to Gabriel now.

I belong to me. She felt like thumping her chest. This was the 21st century. You’d think suckbloods would move with the times.

Not anymore, Callista. “Yes, I could train her,” he said, his lips twisting. Sadness flitted across his face then nothing, no expression, just serenity. I wanted to taste every inch of you.

She gasped, surprised he’d liked her in that way.

“Are we done?” Gabe asked as he yanked Callie against him.

She scowled at him. What was she, a chew toy?

“Yes, by all means, go.” Syl dismissed them.

With a nod, Gabe tightened his fingers clasping hers and tugged her through a side door.

“You know Leo,” he said, as she studied the silver moonlight caressing his features. He led her through a courtyard, crossing cobblestones that looked ancient.

“We met at the mayor’s ball.” She shrugged.

“He told me he didn’t touch…?”

Leo told him? They'd discussed her at some point, or did Leo talk to him telepathically? Wasn’t that the same thing? It took a while for Gabe to voice that question. She wondered why it mattered. He was hundreds of years old—it wasn’t as if she was asking him about his past lovers. Not that she and Leo had ventured in that direction.

“No. He was a gentleman. Okay, spell it out. What does Adsumo mean?” She admired the starlit sky spread above them, not wanting his handsomeness to sway her determination. She needed answers.

“Thank you,” he said.

Without a doubt, she understood he thanked her for agreeing to this publicly.

She reached up to stroke his cheek, caught herself, and shoved her hands into her back pockets. “My pleasure. What did I agree to?”

Part of her wanted to rant at his audacity, at placing her in such a situation. As if her being here, at the festival, in his home, now in this stronghold, was his fault. But she’d agreed to chase after Val, vulnerable with no weapons, and she’d chosen to descend through the trapdoor. It was on her when she helped him to the chair. She could’ve returned to the race. She might have made it, saved Val, or she could’ve died and found herself sitting alongside Val as a suckblood.

Part of Callie wanted to run and never look back. She wasn’t a quitter, but the panic, the overwhelming circumstances, her illogical intense attraction to him drove her to consider it. So much was happening too fast. It left her head spinning and herself second-guessing her decisions.

He shifted closer to her, bringing a little of his warmth and his intoxicating cologne. The moon illuminated his face with enough light to reveal his troubled expression, as if he measured his words with care.

“Faced with your unique blood, I had to help you. Adsumo means no one would dare to drink from you without your permission or enslave you.”

“Enslave me? Help me why?” She scowled, imagining hordes of suckbloods popping in for a quick drink, at her home or at the precinct. “I’m trapped here?”

Shit, shit, shit!

Her blood had placed a target on her back. Why hadn’t it ever before? Her heart hammered against her chest. “Nowhere else is safe? Another city, maybe?”

He shook his head. “Your existence is on everyone’s lips, and vamps live for gossip. Darius taking his request to Syl ended your life as a human.”

She gaped at Gabriel, disbelief warring with anger and helplessness. “M-my life as a human?” The question came out high-pitched as she shifted her weight from foot to foot.

Part of her had known, her soul ringing with the truth in his words. With Val as a suckblood, how long would she have remained neutral anyway? She clenched her jaw, fighting that the decision was out of her hands. Gabe’s announcement had sounded formal, as if he’d staked his claim to her and her remarkable blood.

“You own me?” She kept her gaze locked on his, desperate for him to say no.

A shiver ripped through her, and she squeezed her backside through the denim.

“No. You’re not my feeder, Callie, nor my slave.”

“Right,” she said, releasing a pent-up breath. “Okay, explain what this Adsumo thing entails.”

“Announcing the Rite of Adsumo before so many witnesses means you agreed to be my wife so to speak, agreed to conversion…to spending many lifetimes with me.”

She sucked in a sharp breath. She stared then shook her head in disbelief. Had he said wife? Holy shit! They’d just met, and yes, she wanted to lick every delicious inch of him, but marriage? The things she got herself into…but he had agreed to it. Why sacrifice himself if what he said was true?

“You committed yourself to me to help me? You could’ve let me die. This makes no sense, Gabe. I’ve known you for a day!”

She paced before him, running her hands over her face. No longer was the moonlight beautiful. Where she was and with whom she was, toyed with her sanity. “I didn’t hope for anything more than temporary. Maybe a wild affair on the dark side for me.”

He chuckled, pulling her closer with a gentle grasp of her wrist. “We’ll have an affair that will last for an eternity.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “You want me for more than short-term?”

The men she met, and sometimes dated, thought only of the now, maybe up till tomorrow night if pressed. She’d done the same with Gabe, expecting sex and goodbye. Well, mostly sex, sex, and more sex.

Commitment? No, no, no .

She bent over, fighting for air. Gripping her thighs added stability to her trembling knees. She straightened, arching her back to suck in breaths.

“I want you more than I can convey at present.” He cupped her jaw and chin, brushing his thumb over her bottom lip, making her knees weaker with that one touch.

“We just met. How could you possibly decide in that time if you want—?”

“I do.” He searched her face. “Trust me to know my own mind, Callie.”

“I’m not saying you’re insane, Gabe.” A hysterical giggle escaped her, and she choked it back, fighting for calm and to maintain what integrity she had left. “No, actually, I am. You’re insane. We just met.”

“You said that already.” He grinned, joy dancing across his face, softening his expression to one of tenderness.

How could she trust his sincerity? He was a madman to believe the nonsense he spouted.

“Yeah, well, it’s a pretty important factor.” She tugged her hand free and stepped away from him, resuming her pacing. “Humans don’t marry after a day of meeting, Gabe. Ever.”

“I know, but vamps do.”

“I’m not a suckblood.” She tossed her hands into the air, gesturing wildly as she struggled to accept this. How could she explain this to Mike or Metcalfe? Oh, by the way, I met and married someone yesterday. Could you pass the ketchup? This was insane, a nightmare—maybe she died at the suckblood festival, and this was hell for her.

“You don’t like me?” His charming smile curled his sensual lips as he scooped her into his arms and burst into a run.

“Of course, I like you. But marriage and taking a wife implies love, doesn’t it? Liking someone isn’t enough to base a commitment on.” She watched him and waited, ignoring the wind-whipped tendrils obscuring her line of sight.

“Do you want…love?” He hesitated when he asked her, his voice almost hoarse as if her response mattered to him.

“Yes, I do. Unless you’re thinking to death us do part? Marry me until you kill me?” She arched a brow, then wanted to hit him when he chuckled.

“We don’t marry, we claim, and when we form that bond, you become as strong as me. I can’t kill you, Callie. A part of me will reside in you, and to harm you would harm me.”

“Shit.” She tightened her fingers on his forearms. “I’d be your kryptonite. I’d weaken you, like Syl said. Your enemies could get to you through me.”

Killing her would be far easier than killing someone as experienced as him. That he was a great predator wasn’t in doubt. How he’d handled Darius said much about his skills. So why take the chance? Why tie himself to her when it wasn’t in his best interest?

Pent-up energy zinged through her blood, and she shuddered, wishing they would reach Val’s cell. She needed time away from his intense eyes, his mesmerizing scent, and this strange new world she’d stumbled into.

“Yes.” Unfazed, he grinned and opened a massive door in front of them. Stairs descended along a well-lit passage, and she stepped back at the cacophony of screams echoing off the stone walls.

Sucking in a deep breath, she skipped down. Gabe followed her. She would never admit how grateful she was for his company. Iron bars filled the vast room, swinging light bulbs shifting shadows off the bare stone walls. In each cell, a few women paced, slept, sat, or clung to the bars. Blood dried on their contorted faces, new fangs piercing their bottom lips, and their clothes hung on them in tatters.

“She’s with me,” Gabe said to the hulking guard in a crisp suit.

Callie hadn’t seen him with her interest fixed on the women’s faces. Mounted cameras flickered red lights from the corners. The footage Gabe had shown her was real. Score one for the suckblood.

“Callie?” Val’s voice cut through the din.

Her sister was alone in a cell. The rumpled clothing she wore showed no sign of abuse. Her skin was paler than usual, but there were no shadows under her eyes, and her irises glowed, switching between green and red. More surprising was the long wavy auburn hair she had prior to the chemo.

“Val, what have you gotten us into?” She hurried to the cell tucked into a corner.

Gabe leaped in front of her, throwing an arm across her chest as if Val would hurt her.

Callie elbowed him in the ribs, slipped around him, and gripped the bars.

Val didn’t move from the bed but raised her nose to sniff the air. “You shouldn’t be here, Callie. You smell…human.”

“Damn it, I’m with suckbloods because of your death wish.” She closed her eyes, trying to forget this was all her fault.

“I didn’t ask you to follow.”

If it wasn’t for the shimmer of a blood-red tear on her eyelashes, Callie would’ve thought Val was possessed or drugged. “I promised Dad, Val, you know I did.”

“Since I won’t be dying for many more years, I would say you’ve fulfilled your promise.” She raised sad eyes to Callie. “Thank you for coming. I thought you’d died.” She sniffed and dipped her face as if the lighting hadn’t picked up on the crimson tears scouring her cheeks.

“It was touch and go for a bit.” Callie smiled. “Gabe says you stay down here for a few days. What happens after that?”

“We’ve had the siring ceremony where vamps request to mentor the younglings.” Val unfolded her legs and rose off the bed, as graceful as a gazelle. “Leo is my mentor. I assume training follows.” She shrugged.

Getting Leo as a mentor was good. “Will you let me know when I can visit?” Callie glanced at Gabe. “That’s possible, right?”

He shook his head. “Not alone.”

“She’s my sister.” She glared at him. How dare he imply Val would harm her.

“I’m not referring to Val. Alone, you are vulnerable to an attack, Callie.”

Val laughed, breaking their staring contest. “I’ll visit you, sis.”

“I’m glad you made it, Val, even though it was a foolish thing to do.” Callie sighed. “Do you need anything? A book, a magazine, a pint of blood?”

“Ha, very funny.” Val smiled and nodded at the stairs. “Off you go.”

Callie left with a bounce to her step, trailing Gabe. The moonlight was once more beautiful, perhaps because all was well. Gabe had kept his word, and Val lived, sort of.

“Thank you.” Callie drew in a deep, satisfying breath of the cool night air.

He scooped her into his arms and broke into a run, reversing their earlier mad dash between his home and the stronghold. She gripped his shoulders, holding on as she worried her bottom lip. How to tell him she wasn’t staying?

“Is there a process to this Rite of thing you mentioned?” She closed her eyes, not needing the moonlight to paint his features any handsomer than they were.

“Sex, often.” His voice was hoarse, but when she peeked at him, he kept his focus ahead.

There went her heartbeat, dancing the mambo or something with complicated steps.

As soon as he lowered her to her feet outside his front door, she shook her hands to rid herself of restless energy. “I can’t talk you out of claiming me?”

He shook his head. “Announced, witnessed, permission received, and if we don’t convert you soon, many will try to take you from me.”

She huffed. “This is barbaric.” She paced in the dark confines of his tunnel, rubbing her damp palms on her denim-encased thighs. “As it is, you’ve tried to help me and you have my thanks for that. There’s no need to embroil yourself further. Gabe, you shouldn’t claim me. It’s suicide, don’t you see that?” She paused, waiting for his response.

His chest froze as if he’d stopped breathing. Did they even need to breathe? She pressed her hand to his temple. He was hot to the touch. So ice-cold suckbloods were a myth. She’d heard they didn’t need oxygen. In his continued silence, she fought the urge to press her ear to his chest to make sure there was a heartbeat. Blood flowed through their veins, so it needed pumping somehow.

“So is facing a werewolf at noon,” he said, at last with a voice hoarser than grinding gravel against rock. “That doesn’t mean I should fear it. I want you, Callista.”

He surprised her with his soft dry lips caressing hers before he hardened the kiss. She moaned under the onslaught. After all, this suckblood had years to perfect the art of kissing, and under his lips, it was truly an art form. Designed to seduce, he didn’t even have to use thirty percent of his tricks on her. She was a disgrace to womankind, to the force, to the Devereaux name.

But to hell with it.

He tasted like sin—hot, wet need, yearning, and love—all in one.

A fang must’ve nicked her lip since she tasted salt and iron. His tongue slid along the tear, and he growled, his arms trembling. He pulled away, sucking in breaths, his irises swirling silver and dark gray.

“Syl announced it into law,” he said, his breath cooling her heated lips.

Just like that? The rest of her life decided for her? She studied his face, wishing she could read his mind. He must know how she felt about all this. In shock, undecided, tempted. She’d been pretty vocal since they’d left the hall. She needed to meditate on it all, to decide what this meant and whether there was an escape. A divorce, of sorts.

“So this means I’m yours for an eternity?”

“As I am yours,” he whispered, opening his door and ushering her inside.