Page 93 of The Silver Fox Vampire

“I managed to find out far more. I saw all five of the humans.”

“Natalie? And Edward?”

“Yes, I believe so. There were three young women, including Natalie, though she is much thinner than in her photo. And twoyoung men. They were being led by a group of vampires, five to a human. And those poor young people were clearly in thrall.”

“How could you tell?”

“Clare, I know when a human is in thrall.”

“Ah, right.”

She listened intently to his story of the palace ballroom, the circulating Kominsky clan members, the humans being paraded all in white. There was going to be a feeding.

“And you think this happens nightly?”

“Maybe. They are very malnourished. Likely they are giving the clan members small amounts, and Matteus is drinking the most. The way he appeared, like a fucking rock star, disgusted me. I wanted to get closer, to see who else was about to claim the other throne, but I think some guards spotted me, and I had to get out fast.”

“None of them followed you, did they?”

He shook his head. “I checked behind me as I flew back. And fuck, Clare, when I say flew, I’ve never gone at such speed.” He shook his head. “If I’d had just a moment more, I would have caught sight of that other beast next to Matteus. Its energy was dark and heavy.” He took her in his arms. “And it had huge claws. That’s all I could see under the cloak.”

“Was it a grimaald?”

“Maybe, but somehow it seemed worse, more powerful than any of them. Clare, it worries me to the pit of my stomach thinking about you getting abducted and taken there.”

“I’m not going to step away, Oliver, you know that. Not after all we’ve learned.”

He sighed. “Yes, I know.”

She lay silent for a moment. “If you had a supply of my blood stored, then you could access it in an emergency.”

He looked at her with sudden amazement. “That is an excellent idea.”

She cupped a hand to her ear. “Sorry, did I hear that? Did you just say I had an excellent idea?”

He chuckled, smoothing her hair and kissing the top of her head. “I will get onto Waldo tomorrow. Ask him to send one of his nurses around to take your blood.”

“At last, my boss agrees with me without a fight.” She snuggled into his embrace.

“Cheeky little witch.” He nuzzled her neck, kissed along her jawline, then stopped.

He drew back from her, frowning slightly.

“What’s the matter? Did I say something to upset you?” Clare asked.

“No, my beloved. No. But I just realized, when I kissed your neck just then, I had no burning desire to consume your blood. I— just—want—to—make love to you.”

“I don’t mind if you partake of my blood. In fact, I find it very… erotic.”

“I know, and so do I, more than I want to admit. But don’t you see? I don’tneedto. I have a choice. And right now, I choose not to. Maybe my desire for your blood need not be such a problem for us, going forward.”

She smiled softly, stroking his cheek. “Oh, my dearest love, it’s not important if you lust after my blood, because you have all of me anyway—my heart, my blood, my soul. You always will.”

He gazed down at her. “Have you forgiven me for the way I behaved that night?”

She nodded. “Ages ago.”

“But I have not. And I have not apologized well enough.” He moved over her, his eyes darkening with desire. “I need to make it up to you for the way I ghosted you that night, the way I laid the blame on you, and gaslighted you. And you are going to lie right here and take my apology. Like the good girl you are.”