Page 29 of Visions of You

Keegan's gaze flickered away.

Hehadseen something, hadn't he?

Something he hadn't liked.

What was it? Jaron was going to go mad if Keegan didn't give him something to work with. Why was he refusing to talk to Jaron? "You said fated couples are being targeted," Jaron reminded him. "You and I, we're fated too, can't you tell? Is it so hard for vampires?"

Keegan grew very still, his eyes searching Jaron's face. The silence stretched between them, and Jaron started tapping his foot, unable to stand it.

Finally, Keegan exhaled, a soft sigh that seemed to come from deep within. "Vampires can tell their fated mates," he admitted quietly, "at the very latest after they've ingested their blood."

"Did you drink my blood?" Jaron asked immediately. "Or did you toss it because you don't want to know? Is that why you refused me today? What's wrong with me?" Jaron gestured at himself. "Am I so off-putting to you that you must fight your instincts?"

Jaron didn't normally have that problem. He wasn't the most handsome dragon in existence, and certainly not the strongest, but he was attractive enough to get what he wanted. Usually.

"You should want me," Jaron said, almost pouting. "I'm pretty sure that's one of the laws of the universe. Everyone should be attracted to their mate."

If not, the universe would be a cruel, cruel place.

He was attracted to Keegan. Had been from the moment he'd first seen the vampire at the solstice celebrations. Something inside of him had snapped to attention at the sight of the redheaded vampire with the cutting blue eyes. Jaron wanted to see those eyes darken in pure pleasure, wanted to hear the sounds he'd make when Jaron explored all the most sensitive spots of his body.

If only Keegan would let him.

"It's not that," Keegan said.

"Then what's the problem?"

Being with your fated mate should not be this hard, damn it.

At least the stories had always made it sound like things would just click into place once you found the other half of your soul. The difficult part was supposed to be finding them in the first place, not everything that came after.

Keegan shook his head. "Let's discuss this later." He moved toward the door.

Jaron caught his arm, grip firm. He wasn't going to let the vampire off the hook this easily. "When?"

Keegan had the gall to look amused at Jaron's insistence. He met Jaron's gaze with the smallest of smiles. "I almost forgot how stubborn you are."

Jaron wanted to kiss him—show him that Jaron was not only stubborn but also persuasive. He was sure that if he just got this vampire to share a kiss with him, or to drink his blood, things would become easier between them.

But Keegan freed himself from Jaron's grip while Jaron was caught in the vampire's smile. "Come round the Rubyville nightclub this evening," he said. "I'll meet you in my room."

"In your room," Jaron repeated dumbly before his brain came online again. "Should I bring lube?"

Keegan's lips twitched. "You don't think I keep any around?"

"Maybe I have a favorite kind."

"Suit yourself." Another smile, and then Keegan headed back into the living room.

Jaron stared after him. He didn't know what game Keegan was playing, but he might finally get some answers this evening.

Maybe even more than that.

Keegan sipped his drink, his eyes darting around the nightclub as he waited for Jaron to arrive. Altair sat across from him, his brow furrowed in concern over all that Keegan had told him so far.

"The visions showed that fated couples are being targeted in these kidnappings," Keegan summarized. "Keep a close eye on Sven, Alt. Don't let him out of your sight."

Altair nodded, his jaw tightening. "I always do. You know that."