Page 73 of Wicked Allure

“I sent that vampire away. They came when you were gone,” Tarek announced.

Tomesha’s body stiffened. She frowned and glanced back up at Dru. “Is this why you’re acting this way? You thought I wasn’t available for you? Did you need to feed?—”

“No.” Did she have to feed? No. Did she have a burning desire to sink her fangs into Tomesha’s soft flesh to mark her as hers forever?

Yes.

“Then why are you here?” Tomesha tried to keep Dru’s attention to her, but it was easy for Dru to sense the other two in the room.

Dru finally broke the stare with Tomesha’s brother and looked down at Tomesha. Concern lined her beautiful face. Her hair had been held back with a scarf that was half haphazardly on her head. Her soft body was pressed against Dru’s, reminding her of what she desired most.

“Because.” Dru paused. Common sense was reentering her brain as if a fog was lifting from her. She glanced around again and took in the damage she’d done. There was an indent on the wall where she’d tossed Tomesha’s brother, other items were scattered on the floor, while Tomesha’s elderly grandmother stood armed with a broom.

Had she not been so desperate to keep another vampire from her female, it would have been comical.

Dru swallowed, but she didn’t relax her grip on the dagger. No matter what, Tomesha was coming with her.

“I was told you were drafted,” Dru finally admitted.

Tomesha’s features softened. “That’s why you’re here? Were we matched? You’re here to collect me?” Hope shone in her eyes.

“What?” Dru blinked.

She tightened her hold on Tomesha who finally blessed her with a smile.

“I asked if we matched and you were here to collect me yourself? Is that why you come barging into our home late at night? We don’t have a television, and I wasn’t able to see the results. If that is the case then?—”

“I am not registered for the draft,” Dru admitted.

“Then I’m confused. If you’re not here to claim me, then why are you here? Has someone else matched with me?” Tomesha’s smile disappeared, replaced with a frown.

“I don’t give a shit why she’s here. You’re not going anywhere with her.” Tarek stood tall and glared at Dru.

“That’s right. You’re not taking my baby away from me,” the older woman chimed in. She gripped that broomstick, prepared to swing again. She raised it and rested the wooden stick on her shoulder.

“Dru. You know as well as I do, that if I matched with a vampire and it’s not you, you can’t kidnap me,” Tomesha said.

“No one is taking you from me,” Dru growled. She didn’t want to hear reasoning at the moment. She’d spent her entire life following rules, laws, enforcing them, putting her life on the line for her people.

Why was it that she couldn’t have this one thing?

How was her human the voice of reason at a time like this? If anyone knew the laws of vampires, it was Dru.

And Tomesha was right.

She couldn’t take her if she was to be claimed by another.

Dru’s arm tightened around Tomesha even more.

“Dru. Please. Listen to me,” Tomesha pleaded. Her hands came to Dru’s face again, and this time she forced her to look at her.

Those big brown eyes of hers drew Dru in. Her heart stuttered at the look in Tomesha’s eyes.

“We can’t stop what’s out of our control. If you’re not registered for the draft, then you won’t have any claim on me.”

Dru glanced around the home. If Tomesha had been matched, the royal guards would have already been here.

There was still time. Dru knew what she had to do.