chapter 19
I was awakened a few hours later by the buzzing of my cell phone. “Peter?” I wasn’t really surprised that he would call me at this time of night. After all, it wasn’t as if he would be asleep, and I normally didn’t keep human hours. All the same, a shiver of fear spiked through me. Something was wrong.
“Melody, I need you to come home,” he said urgently. “We’ve found them and we are moving on them tonight.” Then ones who were stirring up trouble for the coven. The man from my nightmares. I knew they’d been searching for him, though they kept me out of it. I was surprised how quickly they’d found him.
“I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
I tucked my phone away and slipped on a pair of jeans and an old t-shirt. Then I hastily scribbled a note to my parents and left it on the dining room table. It said only that I had returned home. I couldn’t manage to think up a good reason for leaving in the middle of the night.
A light, misting rain was falling, and the sidewalk and streets were shiny black in the streetlights. My steps were silent as I wrapped my aura around myself and blurred into the night, jogging to Peter’s house within minutes.
When I arrived, there were several of the coven milling about outside the door. Peter was waiting for me inside. His chilling silver eyes met mine, already anticipating the fight. “We just got word that one of the lesser covens in our area is under attack. It’s likely Lee and his followers.”
I nodded and reached for my long leather boots, sitting on the rug by the door. They would be more appropriate for a fight than the flip-flops I had on. Peter took my hand, halting my movement. “You are staying here.”
I shook my head and gave him a defiant look. “I want to help!”
He shifted from foot to foot and glanced at the door, impatient to be gone. “You aren’t strong enough to hold your own against an older vampire,” he said reasonably. “I want you here, where you are safe.” His eyes bore into mine. “I can use compulsion if I need to.”
I sighed and my shoulders slumped in resignation. “No.” I knew he was right. What help could I be in a fight? I was new, weak, and slow. Even if I were a hundred years old, I would still be a liability. I certainly didn’t want Peter to die protecting me, and I knew he would if it came to that.
Seeing my understanding, Peter dropped a kiss on my forehead, then turned and vanished into the night. “Just come back, okay?” I’m not sure if he heard me or not.
I locked the door behind Peter and went to pace restlessly through the house. Leah’s coven was filled with powerful vampires. Peter could hold his own. I knew this, and yet I couldn’t stop my heart from aching. A dull headache began to build behind my eyes. It wasn’t long before the visions came. I sank onto the couch and closed my eyes as I watched the battle play out in my head.
Lee’s people were attacking a big old farmhouse in the country. I got flashes. Bits and pieces here and there. I saw Cynthia and Viktor, beating back a group of strange vampires. I saw Peter, Haine, and Leah, but everything was moving too fast. It was a blur. Then Peter fell. Everything slowed as he went down under a pile of strangers. Blood splattered everywhere, and I saw, with perfect clarity, his hands flop lifelessly to his sides, arms flung out limply as if seeking benediction.
Haine was nearby, and I saw his eyes, mercury in the night, search the faces of his enemies. His mouth moved. Where is Lee?
There was a tinkling crash and my eyes flew open. I leapt to my feet, heart-wrenching grief warring with earth-shaking anger.
He’s right here, I thought, acidly.
*****
I bared my teeth and closed with the bastard. The shattered glass of the sliding doors crunched under his booted feet, but it was drown out by the growl that ripped from my throat. In my mind, I had seen Peter go down under this man’s people- his servants. I had nothing left to lose now. I wanted to die… and I wanted to take this son of a bitch with me.
He struck out at me with a clawed hand, and I was too slow to get out of the way. I let him grab me around the waist, smiling at the thought of how bad I was going to hurt him. My aura was out of control, and power ripped over me. I sank my teeth into the arm restraining me and pulled, hard and fast, ripping away a hunk of flesh. Images flooded my mind and it was all I could do to stay conscious as I took in the blood memory. I spat out the gob of skin and muscle as he screamed with rage. Then I contorted my body, twisting and eeling until I slid free of his grasp. He was stronger and faster, but he could never hold me.
He made a grab for me and I stepped aside, arching my back so that his hand grabbed air, then bringing my foot up to connect with his head. It was a weak blow. He staggered back, grinning, relishing the game he thought would end with my death. He was wrong. I laughed and shoved a chair out of my way, knowing before he did that he would have broken it over my head.
I knew who he was now. I had seen the memories in his blood. It was him who had organized the attacks on the lesser covens. What’s more, something had happened when I tasted his blood. “I seeee you…” I sang at him in a breathy voice that was chilling to my own ears.
He frowned at me. “I see. They don’t keep you here because you are important. They only want to protect you because you’re weak. Are you touched in the head? Turn go bad for you, little girl?” I could feel his pleasure. It didn’t matter if I was mentally handicapped. If anything, he would enjoy that even more.
I laughed. “You’re wroooooong,” I sang out in a beautiful soprano. I stopped moving. He was enjoying it too much. He wanted to chase me. Instead, I stood still and let him grab me again. This time I hinged from the hips and lifted one leg off the floor. Lifting it, I wrapped it around his torso and threw him across the room, my odd movements surprising him.
I picked up a heavy candelabra just seconds before his move in that direction. “Ah-ah-ah,” I chided. “Big boy like you doesn’t need a weapon.”
He slowed, glaring at the candlestick in my hand. It was all starting to make sense to him now. I stepped right just before his feint in that direction. I ducked just before he threw a punch at my face, laughing merrily. “Now you get it dumb ass,” I said mockingly.
Somehow, ever since I tasted his blood, I knew exactly what he was going to do before he even moved. “I’ve got your number,” I whispered, tapping my head in illustration.
He lost some of his cocky aggression and dropped back a step. “What the hell are you?”
“You attacked my coven.” I slowly circled the end of the couch and began moving toward him, automatically compensating for his evasive movements before he even made them.
His aura spiked with fear and I drank it up, pulling information from him without even having to ask. The more scared he got, the easier it was. I could see it in my head. He had been a coven member before Peter or Leah. He thought he was next in line for master. He had known John was going to kill himself and he had been glad, hungry for the power he would be granted when the old man was gone and he became master.
Only John had ignored him and appointed Leah. One of his last actions had been to cast this man out, knowing him for what he was. Grasping. Power hungry. Not the forward thinking leader who would break the centuries of vampire ruthlessness and oppression. I saw it clearly, his hunger for the deaths of the coven. Not only Leah, but Peter. He was particularly fond of the thought of ripping Peter to shreds. And in that moment, I saw too much.
Everything went red, a bloody hue that hazed my world. I felt something in me snap, and reason, thought…humanity… faded away into nothingness as I reached for the terrified vampire.
Eventually, a voice intruded into my numbness. It was a male voice, husky and rich, like grey silk. My conscious mind, and the last bits of my humanity, began to return to me like old, faded memories. Something in me, something wild and primal, flared up in protest, and I heard the voice of the being that lived inside me- the one that gave me life and power- but the grey silk voice spoke again and the fire of that other voice was snuffed like a candle. I took a shuddering breath, smelling blood and death. And Peter.
I opened my eyes and touched the big hands grasping my shoulders. I heard him call my name, though I knew he hadn’t said it aloud. It was his aura speaking to mine. My master had pulled me back from the brink of insanity. I stifled the part of me that felt sadness that I could no longer feel that other being.
I looked around the room, still feeling dazed and unreal. Others were moving about. I heard Leah’s voice somewhere. There were body parts on the carpet, and I realized the invading vampire was dead. Really dead. Then my awareness snapped back into place with a twang and I gagged at the taste of his blood in my mouth.
Haine was reclining on the couch while Viktor held his arm on until it could heal. Someone had ripped it off. His silvery blue eyes met mine and he arched an eyebrow in a wry expression. “Welcome back. Sorry for startling you.”
I looked at Peter, panicked. “Did I…” I swallowed hard. “Did I do that?”
His silver eyes slowly began to turn green again. “You didn’t mean to,” he said tiredly.
I shook my head and Viktor snorted. “Blood lust.” Haine shrugged his good shoulder and waved it off, but he looked awful- weak and wan. About what you’d expect after having your arm ripped off.
“Don’t beat yourself up, kid,” he said generously. “We’ve all been there. I’m old enough to know better than to get in the way of a new turn whose lost control.”
I bit my lip. I wanted to beg forgiveness, but I knew he wouldn’t have it. “Thanks,” I said softly instead.
Then I turned back to Peter. “The others?”
He nodded. “Taken care of.”
“I saw you,” I said hesitantly. “I saw you go down under one of his creations.” I shuddered at the carnage that vision had caused.
Peter laughed. “You saw me?” He patted my head. “It must be our bond. I did get injured, but Leah pulled it off me.”
I felt ill. One misinterpreted glimpse of the future and I tear a guy to shreds. “Ug,” I said, rubbing my forehead. I was so tired.
Leah came to us and I pushed myself to a standing position. Her eyes twinkled as she took in my unease. “Well, this is the last time I leave you out of anything.” She patted my arm in what might have been apology. “It seems we need you out fighting with us.” She glanced at the blood soaked carpet. “The coven is in your debt. Because of you, this whole mess was just brought to an end.” She winked at me. “Imagine, a disabled vampire doing our work for us.”
I didn’t feel much like laughing.
*****
I leaned against an old table, exhausted. The room had begun to empty as Leah’s vampires finished cleaning up the worst of my mess and, one by one, disappeared into the night to seek food and rest. Peter was sticking close to me, still anxious because I had been attacked. Leah was across the room talking to Cynthia and Viktor, her back to the rest of us.
Haine’s arm had re-attached itself and he was standing, cradling the offended member. His eyes met mine and he gave me a small smile as he lifted the arm and flexed his fingers. I crossed to him on wobbly legs. I was a vampire damn it. I shouldn’t have to deal with being tired.
“I’m so sorry,” I said for the hundredth time that night.
He shook his head, dismissing my concern. “I’m fine. I would rather you feel guilty about causing me discomfort than about going on a rampage and killing all the humans in the neighborhood.”
I wrapped an arm around my middle and grimaced at the reminder of my loss of control. “You say you’re fine, but you look as exhausted as me. I hate to see you so weakened.” Haine’s smile slowly faded. He straightened and dropped his arms to his sides.
“Even in this state, I am the strongest vampire in this room, madam.” His voice sounded almost dreamy. He started to walk across the room toward Leah and her group, looking odd. His movements were disjointed, as if he were moving a beat behind the thought to do so.
I glanced at Peter to see him frowning at the other vampire. I looked back at Haine just in time to see him pick up the large, wicked looking dagger that someone had left lying on the table near Leah. His motions were a bit slower than usual. That’s the only reason I was able to act quickly enough. Peter darted past me in a blur as I screamed. “Haine, stop!”
There was a twang through my consciousness and Haine hesitated. Peter violently shoved him aside and took up a guard position in front of Leah who had spun around just in time to see that she was about to be beheaded. Cynthia and Viktor fell on Haine, taking advantage of his moment of surprise, and the knife fell to the ground and slid under an end table.
It was all happening too fast. I knew something was wrong, but I couldn’t explain. Haine wasn’t in control of his body. I had felt an instant of connection when I shouted at him, probably due to our blood bond. In that moment I had felt him desperately fighting something inside himself.
“Stop!” I dashed to the writhing mass of vampire in the middle of the room. Haine, weakened though he was, was holding his own against Cynthia and Viktor- but only just.
I glanced at Peter, willing him to understand. “Stop them!” He hadn’t moved from his guard position, where he blocked Leah from view. Furious, I spun back to the fight. I waited for an opening, then lashed out, kicking Cynthia in the temple.
If she were human it would have killed her, but between vampires, it was more of a love tap. She growled at me, but didn’t release her hold on Haine, steadying him so that Viktor could rip his head off. I reared back again and kicked her like I meant it. I broke her nose and she howled. It was enough to distract her and her brother. Haine threw them off in a surge of brute strength and I rushed to get between them, sliding to a crouch. Cynthia was on the ground; she had hit her head on the table when she fell and her eyes looked unfocused. It would take a while to heal the head injury. Viktor was still mobile though, and he started toward us.
I snarled a warning at him, but he kept on coming. My eyes met Peter’s and I knew that he could feel my intentions. I willed him to understand, to trust me. I had no way of knowing if he could hear me or not. He turned his head to Leah and her voice rang out in the room. “Viktor, stand down!”
I stood and took a step back, uneasy with the truce. I stiffened when I bumped into Haine. Oh yeah, he’s still there.
“So nice of you to decide to play fair, Leah,” he purred. It was Haine’s voice, but the cadence was completely off, and there was a touch of old-world that Haine’s voice never had. I hoped the others heard it as well.
A long arm slipped around my waist, just below my breasts, pulling me back against Haine’s tall frame. “Come out from behind your little toy soldier and play, Leah dear,” he taunted. “You seem to like this girl,” He bent to nuzzle my neck and I stomped on his foot. I struggled, but it was like being in a steel trap. “I’ll let her go if you come over here.”
No one moved. Haine turned his head to whisper in my ear, loud enough that the others could hear. “But why didn’t you go to defend your master as well, little girl. Is it because we are lovers?”
Peter growled and Leah put a hand on his shoulder. “Who are you?” Her voice was steady.
Haine lifted his head, and laughed. “I’m your death, bitch and I’m taking your sniveling little coven with me. John’s ways are a disgrace to our kind. Vampires grow weak and timid.” He sighed. “But, if you refuse to bargain…”
He shifted my hair to the side. He was strong, but my incredible flexibility allowed me to twist away from him. Understanding slowly dawned on me. It all began to make perfect sense. Haine had told me once that if he ever tried to bite me, I should let him. I met Peter’s eyes, seeing the confusion there… and quit struggling.
Haine’s teeth sliced into my neck and there was a moment of perfect union. It was similar to when I had taken his blood, but more. I felt like something inside me had been completed, and I realized we were fully bonded now. I closed my eyes and let Haine, and whoever was inside him, into my head.
Rotting darkness seeped into my mind. I could sense intent there. He still thought there was something special about me. I had killed his minion, so I must have some sort of special ability. He wanted whatever it was I had. He thought it would help him get to Leah. He didn’t understand- couldn’t have even guessed- that Peter and Leah, and even Haine were the kind of people to protect someone simply out of kindness. I suppressed my will and let him come, not fighting it as I felt the slimy presence flow from Haine to me.
Greed and hatred filled me, coiling around my conscience like a wisp of black smoke. The master vampire was old, older than anything I could imagine. His presence was choking, but I drew it in until I felt him fill me. Then I stopped being passive.
I knew the moment he realized that I was aware. The presence started to leave me, but I clung to it, holding his mind- his will- inside my own. Haine’s arm tightened around me in a spasm of surprise, and he was once again in control of his own body.
The oozing blackness inside my head began to burn. “Son of a bitch!” I dropped to my knees, jerking away from Hiane to hit the floor with a jarring impact. The presence inside me wanted me to crawl to Leah. It was desperate, focused only on her death. If I died in the process, well, that would just be a bonus. He was furious that I had managed to trick him, that I could overpower him enough to contain him.
I dropped to my hands and knees and started to crawl, then took control again and wrapped my arms around myself, falling forward to hit my face on the floor. I curled up in the fetal position, refusing to move. The black thing inside me clawed at my brain. It tried to tear me to shreds from the inside out. Raw, brutal screams reached my ears through the haze of pain, and I dimly realized that they were my own.
I felt Peter’s aura grow and knew he was about to try to control me. I risked a glance and saw that he was still guarding Leah. Some of her vampires had come into the room and they were heading our way. Haine stood before me, shielding me.
“Haine,” I panted, still fighting for control. It was hard to focus on the outside world. Everything kept wanting to go black. “Keep him away from me. “
His sharp silver eyes darted behind us, looking for enemies and I lifted weak hand toward Peter. “Don’t.”
Haine moved in a flash, knocking Leah’s vampires aside, and squaring off with Peter. I could feel the hostility in the room. No one quite trusted Haine. “Peter,” he said urgently. “Don’t touch her aura. Leave her be!”
Peter’s eyes were snapping with rage. “Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do with my child?” Aw shit, he was going territorial. Haine rushed to explain, even as he continued to beat down the vampires that were trying to get at me. I couldn’t hear what he said. I couldn’t stay out there anymore.
The inside of my skull felt like it was on fire. I mustered up my anger at being used like this and pushed back. Leave us. I demanded, putting force behind my thoughts.
The foul thing screamed and raged in my mind. I thought of pressure, of crushing and suffocating, of squashing the thing inside me. I drew from my aura, sending power tingling through my body and slowly, painfully, began to beat him back. I could see him then, lying huddled in the darkness somewhere, while my consciousness entered his mind. He was fading, filled with bitterness and hatred, and hopelessness. He wanted to take the legacy of his enemy to the grave with him. He wanted the world to fall into chaos. He loathed the vampires John and Leah cultivated. Qualities like gentleness and mercy only equated to weakness.
And yet, he was the one cowered, fading and alone. Weak. With a twang, I left his mind and returned to my own, leaving the old thing wasted and spent. I realized I was lying face down on the floor, gasping, though I didn’t really need to breathe.
I pushed myself up onto my knees and stayed there, swaying. A roomful of vampires stood staring down at me with looks ranging from suspicion to outright hostility. They stood outside a circle of about eight feet, as close as they could get with Haine defending me like a jealous lover.
“Melody?” It was Peter’s voice, and I found him still at Leah’s side. Always where a good soldier should be. I let out a soft, bitter laugh. Haine was over here protecting me. Of course, it was Haine’s fault that I needed protecting in the first place. Damn it.
“It’s her.” Haine’s rich voice was close. His arms enfolded me and he scooped me up off the floor. I was starting to shake.
Leah’s voice rose, telling everyone to back the f*ck up. She’d had a rough night. I thought maybe the old vampire had broken something inside me. I felt dizzy, and the room was getting all red around the edges. God help me if I suffered blood lust twice in one evening. Peter had come to us. I could smell him, and feel the stress in his aura- fear, hurt, anger. “Give her to me. Please.” He sounded desperate.
Haine turned his back to Peter, shielding me. “No, the price is mine to pay.” My eyes met Peter’s over Haine’s broad shoulder, as I sank my teeth into his neck. The pain in my head eased instantly and I closed my eyes, filling myself with Haine’s rich power.
My protector took me across the room and collapsed into an overstuffed chair. He was the only one who understood the horror of what I had just been through- of having something so deeply evil take over your mind. I shifted closer, making sure I didn’t break my connection, and drank my fill, refusing to think of anything else. I had never felt so drained of power, so completely empty.
Ever so slowly, I began to feel balanced again. I realized that Haine’s heartbeat was growing slow, even for a vampire. I lifted my head and looked at him. He had his head thrown back and his eyes closed, but he met my gaze when I stopped draining him.
“Better?” His voice was his own, soft and warm, with a hint of humor. I grimaced. “Much, thanks.” No one else spoke. It was eerie. There was a heavy sense of waiting hanging over the room.
Haine stood and set me on my feet. I wasn’t shaking anymore. His blood was unbelievably rich and strong. He ruffled my hair and gave me a sad smile before crossing the room to Leah and the others. I trailed in his wake, wondering what was going on.
Haine knelt in front of the coven leader and bowed his head. She stood looking down on him as if he were a foreign creature. “Mistress, please take my life.”
I nearly bit off my tongue. I started forward, but Peter’s command halted me in my tracks. “Melody!”
Leah sighed. “First explain to me. Everything.”
Haine’s soft voice filled the hushed room. “My master fades. Seeing his weakness, I took the opportunity to leave his side.” Leah nodded. This wasn’t news to her.
He kept his eyes on her feet. “He slipped into my mind once before, when I was unaware. He realized where I was.”
Peter frowned. “He bore a grudge against John. “
Haine nodded. “He has been using lesser vampires, taking over their minds and using them as puppets. It usually only works on the weak, but he was working his way up toward our coven using groups of lesser vampires to take out the stronger ones- like he tried to do with Cashern and his bunch.”
He gave a heavy sigh. “I knew what he was doing, and yet I stayed. I should have left at once. I brought danger to the coven and I’ve put your life in danger mistress.”
I put a hand on his shoulder and he glanced up to meet Peter’s eyes. “I never meant any harm to come to Melody. I genuinely care for her.” He shrugged. “I slowly figured out that there was something that made her special. I wasn’t sure what it was- and I didn’t want to know. I didn’t want him to know.” He squeezed my hand where it rested on his shoulder. That’s why he hadn’t let me tell him. “I used her as a safeguard. I didn’t really think he could get at me, but if I were weakened, if he did- then Melody could reach me through our bond. And I suspected that she could stop him.”
Peter’s lean cheek flexed as he clenched his jaw. “You risked too much,” he said angrily.
Haine nodded agreement. “I did. I accept my punishment.”
Viktor’s surly voice piped up. “Why didn’t you just tell someone what was going on? Or get the hell out of here?”
It was Leah who answered. “He couldn’t tell anyone because he was under a geas from his master.”
Haine nodded. “I couldn’t speak of it. But I could have left. I should have. I was just… too weak.”
Viktor snorted, and my anger got the best of me. I squeezed Haine’s shoulder and stepped closer. “You’re not weak. It wasn’t something you could help.” I met Leah’s eyes defiantly, not caring that I was shouting at my coven leader. If she meant to harm him, then she was blind.
“He couldn’t leave because he fell in love.” Cynthia let out a bitter laugh at my corny statement and I turned my glare on her. “Old vampires form deeper connections. What happens when they find their mate?”
Leah had moved forward. “Haine,” her voice was flat, betraying nothing. “How old are you?”
His muscles tensed. For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t speak. Then he lifted his head and met her eyes. “I was one of my master’s first children. I am over six hundred years old.”
She closed her eyes in a long blink and took a deep breath. “And have you found a mate in this coven? Is that what caused you to stay?”
He squared his shoulders and stood. I dropped my hand and shut my mouth, hoping he would forgive me for this if it saved his life. “Yes, I have.”
All of the other vampires were staring at me. Haine and I were often together. We shared a blood bond that none of them had been aware of. We had just saved each other’s lives and he had nearly let me drain him. I glanced at Peter. He had to know the truth. His expression had closed down, and I could feel his aura vibrating. He knew… didn’t he?
I ignored him and looked at Haine and Leah. She picked up the knife he had tried to kill her with. She took a step closer and I jumped. “No! You can’t do this. He…” Peter crossed the space between us in two steps and grabbed my arm, jerking me away from Haine’s side.
The beautiful old vampire didn’t look away from Leah’s eyes as she drew the knife. Peter’s power over me held me still, and I couldn’t fight against it. I clenched my eyes shut, praying to God for a miracle. How could Leah be so blind?
Then the smell of blood filled my senses and my eyes flew open. It wasn’t Haine’s blood. It was Leah’s. She offered her wrist to Haine and he hesitated only a second before he took it. “This vampire is mine.” She spoke for the benefit of the room at large, but her eyes never left Haine as she gazed down at his bent head.
I let out a sigh of relief and Peter let me have my will back. “I thought she wouldn’t get it.” Haine had been in love with Leah for some time now. Apparently, she wasn’t as oblivious as he thought.
The room was quietly emptying, now that Leah had bound her attacker. Peter took my hand and pulled me out the door. “You’ve done your good deed for the day,” he said flatly.
I didn’t ask where we were going. I didn’t care, as long as we could be alone. If I never saw another vampire again for as long as I lived, it would be too soon. The politics, the customs, the stupid magic that bound them- us - together… I was just sick of it all. Neither of us spoke as we made our way through the park. I had no idea what he was thinking. The emotions coming off him were all confused, and I was too tired to sort them out. The moon was a beautiful, golden color and its reflection danced across the water as we stood at the river’s edge.
A night bird called somewhere, breaking the silence. “Are you safe?” Peter’s voice was gentle. “That monster… will he be back?”
I shook my head in the darkness. “No.” I was absolutely certain the ancient thing wouldn’t ever trouble anyone again. “I…I broke him.” I had stolen what was left of his will. He was nothing now. He would fade, something that should have happened long ago.
Peter let out a sigh of relief. “Good.” He took my hands and turned to face me in the moonlight. “When you were alive, I got used to caring for you. You were weak and I could protect you with my strength.” He snorted depreciatingly, “but now… now the things that you struggle with aren’t physical. I’m useless.”
I shook my head. “You’re wrong. You helped me tonight. You trusted me… so much that you did nothing.” In the heat of the moment, I had been angry at him for just standing by so callously, but now that I had cooled down a bit, I could see what he had done for me. If I hadn’t begged him to help, if he hadn’t had enough faith in me to trust that I was right, he would have acted as the soldier he was. He would have killed Haine, and me.
He chuckled and pressed his forehead to mine. “Just please, please, never do that again. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do to stand there and watch you like that.”
I closed my eyes, thinking how I must have looked, curled up on the floor in the fetal position, screaming. “You think you had it bad? That thing was in my head!”
He pulled back, snorting with laughter. “That? You think that was the worst thing you did tonight?”
I crossed my arms and frowned at him, wondering just what the hell he thought was so funny. He was still laughing. “You think a little headache was the worst part of the evening?”
I tapped my foot, agitated. “Look, you didn’t have that thing in your head!” I tried to remember everything that had happened. It was just too much. I jumped when Peter appeared in front of me. He backed me up until I was pressed against the trunk of a big tree. He wasn’t laughing anymore.
“If you ever share a blood bond with another vampire again, I swear to God…” He held my wrists, pinning my arms at my sides. I remembered the helplessness I had felt when I realized that everyone in the room thought Haine was my mate. Oh.
I squirmed experimentally, trying to gauge just how angry he was. His hip dug into mine painfully, stopping my movement. Pretty pissed, I guess. “You know that wasn’t what it looked like,” I said weakly. He growled.
I slumped in defeat. “Fine, fine. I admit it. I secretly lust after him because he brought me comic books. I’ve never really cared for you.” I sighed dramatically. “You’re just so terrible in bed that I couldn’t stand it. I mean, honestly Peter, I just need something more to satisfy me.”
He let his head fall to my shoulder and released my arms. He was vibrating with what I really hoped was laughter… maybe I’d gone too far? I brushed my fingers through his soft waves. “You know that I love you more than anything in the world. “
He lifted his head and his silvery eyes met mine. “I know,” he said tiredly. “But the vampire in me wants to possess every part of you- mind, body, and soul.”
I laughed softly. “Well the vampire needs to shut up and stop throwing such a fit then- because he already does.”