Page 52 of Those That Are Lost (Hidden Vampires #2)

AURORA

I was not expecting the added complication of Antares finding his mate.

But I couldn’t let it derail our plan. He didn’t seem keen to talk about it, which I found odd, but I was slightly glad because the longer we spent in the woods, the more likely we’d be spotted and I had a much grander entrance planned.

After a couple of minutes, Antares seems to shake himself out of his own head and we stalk the rest of the way through the trees, using the shadows cast in the darkening sky to sneak as close as we can without being exposed.

I hadn’t taken in the building much the last time I was here, but it really is in need of repair. A couple of the windows on the upper floor are boarded up. Even in the dusk I can see the paint flaking off the whitewash and a few missing tiles on the roof.

It's a large farmhouse with a wrap-around veranda and an outbuilding off to the left that looks in even worse repair. Maybe that used to be some sort of lodgings for the farm workers? Ty told me this land used to belong to a vampire within his parents’ pack and that the valley stretching off behind it had fertile soil and enough grazing that sheep and a few cattle used to roam here.

The owner and his family were killed along with the rest of my mate’s pack.

We’re close enough now that those inside would be able to hear us. I doubt much of it is that soundproof when it looks barely weatherproof. Antares is a silent companion beside me. His footsteps are so light I can barely hear them and I’m walking not a foot from him.

I give up trying to hide.

Striding for the porch, I straighten my spine and add a swagger to my walk, like I’m supposed to be here. The front door opens as we’re a few metres away. A male steps out and calls in a gruff voice, “Who goes there?”

He’s not overly tall, a bit stocky, and has hair that’s clipping close to his skull. From all the studying, I place this as Tripp.

“See if you can guess?” I call back, keeping my voice light and flick my hair out over my shoulders. I don’t stop walking until I’m standing just off the veranda. Antares halts slightly behind my right shoulder like a sentry.

The vampire male’s eyes widen in shock and his jaw goes slack.

“Surprised to see me?” I grin up at him, sweetly innocent.

“Adicious!” he yells over his shoulder. I feel my insides turn to ice.

We’ve planned for this moment, played it out in our minds and in training.

I take a steady breath to slow my heart rate.

The air tastes purer as it enters my lungs, and I quickly glance at my partner in this absurd plan.

A quick wink from him tells me he is increasing the oxygen around me with his power, allowing me to breathe easier as my chest tightens. I’m so incredibly grateful to have him.

Adicious appears in the doorway with sharp words about being ordered around by his subordinate. That is until he spots me standing in the open lawn with Antares at my side. Our gazes lock and I don’t miss the shock that passes over his features, or the gleam that fills his eyes a beat later.

“This is unexpected,” Adicious addresses me and steps out onto the veranda.

I hold my position, locking my limbs. I can feel the power rolling off the tall well-muscled male in front of me.

This vampire has a dozen other males bonded to him.

I can almost sense it, smell it in his blood.

Maybe, now I have those same bonds, the magic that creates them can sense like for like.

I feel for my own power to ensure my glamour is airtight.

“I thought it was about time I came home.”

Adicious surveys the full length of my body. And then he notices Antares. “And you brought a pet?”

“He’s useful,” I say through gritted teeth, indignant at Adicious’s choice of words.

“Hhmmmm… we shall see about that. You let him bond to you?”

“Yes.” There’s no point denying it.

“ He is standing right here.” Ah, there’s the fae turned vampire I know.

“You are a disgrace to the bloodline.” And there’s the prick I’m going to end.

The growl that leaves my throat is involuntary. It makes Adicious puff his chest up a little.

“I see you’ve grown into your fangs more,” he addresses me once more. “We don’t take in strays.”

“He has proven himself to me. He’s helped me a lot over the last few months, including getting us safely back to Froan, which wasn’t easy.”

“Where have you been?”

“Here and there.” I shrug.

Adicious’s eyes narrow. “Explain why you’re back. ”

He’s right to be suspicious. I need to sell the story I’ve rehearsed so much it feels like a different version of reality.

“I can’t lie. I struggled in the beginning.

I got to the continent and travelled around for a bit.

But the nomadic lifestyle doesn’t suit me.

I missed home terribly. Antares…” I gesture to him.

“He helped me get blood. Helped me find safe shelter from the other packs. Which, by the way, are absolute dirtbags. I can almost see why the Fae tried wiping us out.”

“And you assumed I’d let you back in and welcome you both into this pack.”

I take a step closer to him, pushing the loathing I feel all the way down and letting a vulnerable demeanour take over my body.

I need to yield to him. “I missed being here, in Froan, so much. I couldn’t stay away.

I realise my mistakes and for that I’m sorry.

I’m ready to take on the role you offered me. ”

“You think it’s that easy?”

“You have been searching for me this entire time, have you not?” He looks stumped, like he didn’t think I’d have caught wind of that no matter where I was. “Oh, yes. The pack are not as subtle as you believe. They caused quite a ruckus in the capital, I heard.”

“And what of the other one?”

“Other one?”

“Ty.”

“He’s dead, isn’t he? Last I saw he was being pinned by your males in that very foyer.” I don’t miss a beat as I nod towards the open entrance where another male has joined Tripp, both watching on with keen interest.

“Yes, he’s dead.” I find it interesting that Adicious feeds me the lie when Atlas told me the truth. And like he doesn’t think I would pick up on the fact that he just asked about him as if he’s not dead. Not that I am going to point that out .

“Oh well. I see him for what he was now. Weak.” I hope Ty cannot hear me through our bond. “After seeing the strength and power of others on the continent, I understand you much better now. I understand why we need to align to secure these lands.”

“You’re offering your bond to me?” I’ve put Adicious once again on the back foot and I can see his palm twitching.

“Not yet. You’ll need to prove yourself worthy.”

“Me?” He gives a menacing laugh. “These are my lands. I solely need the bond from you to cement my power. You're an accessory for me, not a partner. As soon as we’re bonded, I can keep you chained. Or have you forgotten your last visit here?”

I see Adicious isn’t even going to try for civility. When we first met, he spent at least a few minutes playing the nice protective male before he let his true self show.

Fine. Two can play this dance.

“I’m not here to be your slave. Either we do this together or I can replace you.

Or have you forgotten that males outnumber females quite significantly?

You’re the replaceable one here. I haven’t forgotten what you did to me, what you nearly did to me.

But I’m willing to forgive that if you can prove that you are the strongest male in this city for me to bond to, to secure these lands with.

” I step right up into his space, holding my head high the entire time and letting my fangs show.

“You jumped up little cunt. You survived a few months on your own and you think you can come back making demands? Wrong, princess.” He snarls before going to grab me by my arm. I duck to the side, easily avoiding his grasping hand. Antares acts in that moment too.

All three males on the porch have their air supply cut off in an instant.

They quickly start clawing at the throats as the air in their lungs is forcibly ripped out from them.

I step back to the centre, coming to Antares’s side, counting to ten.

Once I reach it, I lift a finger and Antares’s power drops.

The three males all gasp, cough, and splutter as they are allowed to breathe again.

Not surprisingly, Adicious is the first to recover.

“What the fuck was that?” he chokes out.

“I told you he was useful,” I gloat, letting the pride show in my eyes. Antares’s feline grin is beaming from ear to ear. “Now, is someone going to show me to my new bedroom? You said you had one done up just for me. I can’t wait to sleep. It’s been a long day.”

And with that, I saunter up the porch, Antares bounding at my side, and into the house. The two males in the doorway jump out of the way, clearly scared of the one accompanying me. I hear Adicious flapping around outside, probably raging about the tiny Fae male that just handed him his ass.

The room I’m assigned is interesting. It's certainly one of the less dilapidated ones. It’s been painted relatively recently and whilst the furniture is completely mismatched, it is functioning.

It's all heavy wood and decoratively carved. The creepiest part is that the wardrobe is full of dresses, all low cut or super short. Not a single pair of jeans or sweats at all. I shudder as I feel the cheap fabrics. I may not splash out much on clothing, but I really don’t want to wear any of these.

I may have dressed to show my feminine assets tonight but that was my choice. These feel like they’re making a statement. One I’m loath to indulge Adicious in but I guess I’m going to have to suck it up at some point.