Page 72 of The Vampire's Redemption

Once Maria was back, she’d beg Alistair to break the bond.

Time to end this once and for all.

Chapter Twenty-One

Damnitalltohell. He’d been so close.

Felix kicked his door shut and threw a lamp against the wall with a feral roar. The lamp shattered. Glass littered the floor, the shards as broken and jagged as his heart after Gabby’s rejection.

What did she want from him?

He tried to reach her, only to smash into her solid mental block. Whatever they’d shared last night was for naught. He thought he’d finally made a breakthrough. She’d let him drink from her.

What happened?

He wanted to stomp back and demand an explanation. He gripped the bed frame, his barely contained claws digging grooves into the wood as he fought for control. If he lost to the vampire, a monster would return to claim its mate without thought to the consequences. He would keep her in bed and torment her with lust and pleasure until she gave in.

If only it were that easy.

What is it?he snarled when he felt a mental knock.

We’re leaving soon,Nikolas said.

I’ll be there in five.

Felix inhaled, long and deep, and caged up the violent emotions eating at him. She was his soulmate. They were bound for eternity, whether she liked it or not.

He wouldn't give up on them, no matter how many times she kicked him out.

Felix met Nikolas and Ahmed, who seemed more composed than last night, at the front door. They wore similar outfits—black jeans, shiny shoes, and black shirts—and looked like a group of bachelors looking for a good time rather than hunting down missing vampires. Two curved sabers hung from a belt in Nikolas’ hand.

When Gabby arrived, Felix fought back his instinct to drag her to him and kiss her mindless. She’d chosen a blood-red blouse tucked into a loose pair of black pants, which looked like a skirt when she wasn’t walking. With her golden hair pinned up on her head, Felix’s gaze latched onto her neck, where he had fed from her minutes ago.

He could still taste her on his tongue. The sweetest of honey with a hint of lavender. He licked his lips and shrugged when she glared. She may have kicked him out, but he didn’t have to make this easier on her.

“Here, I brought you this.” Nikolas handed the sabers to Gabby, who strapped the belt around her waist with the fluid grace of someone who’d done it thousands of times.

Felix had never imagined sabers being Gabby’s weapon of preference. Another thing he didn’t know, though it made sense she knew how to wield something other than her jeweled dagger.

“Let’s go.” Gabby stormed past them. A Jeep, its black body shiny and new, idled outside. “What’s this?”

“It’ll be faster to drive,” Nikolas explained. “Also, we brought supplies in case we run into trouble.”

“Fine.”

A second of uncertainty flashed when Gabby paused before the front passenger door. Felix watched, fascinated, as she steeled herself, opened the door, and climbed in. He sat in the back with Ahmed while Nikolas took the wheel.

Feel better now?he said, the words bashing into her wall. No response. He pushed harder, wondering if he should smash the wall to pieces.So that’s it? You’re going to pretend I don’t exist?

There’s nothing to say.

On the contrary. What do you want?

What I want is to find Maria and the others.

He wanted to rake his claws over the back of her seat. Gabby opened her window as if fresh air could dissipate the tension in the car.

And after that? What’s your plan? To go aground again? I’m immortal. I can wait another six hundred years.