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“It’s still illegal!” Jack shouts, the usually calm officer beginning to lose his temper.
I can see this is going to keep going on. The two of them quibble like an old married couple and show no signs of stopping, meaning I’m going to have to take this into my own hands—literally. Taking a deep breath, I slam my hands onto the table, the action creating a surprisingly loud noise and grabbing their attention.
“Right, that’s enough.” My voice is stern, something I’ve never really been before. I’m too much of an airhead to be stern about anything because I usually forget what I was angry about in the first place and move onto something that makes me happier. Right now, though, I feel a little like a teacher telling off two teenagers. I kind of like it.
“Do the two of you think you can work together?” I demand. “If you can’t, then you need to leave, because my freedom is at stake here.”
They both grumble their agreement, looking ashamed and remorseful that they let their feud get in the way of the reason they are here. Letting the guilt settle over them for a moment to make sure they know I’m not playing, I take a long, steadying breath and glance between them, pulling my notebook from my pocket.
“What do I need to know for tomorrow?”
Zane smirks at my notebook but keeps his comments to himself, while Jack looks on approvingly.
“There will be a panel of assessors, including your parole officer. The vampire and I will be there to support you,” Jack begins, falling back into officer mode as he lists the information. “You will present yourself as meek and mild. You have just learned of a world you didn’t know existed, so really play the orphan card.”
I raise my brows. While I’m not opposed to doing this, I am surprised that it’s Officer Hart who is suggesting it. The corner of his mouth twitches upwards, and he holds up a finger in gesture for me to wait for him to finish.
“They just need to know that you’re safe to be released. They will probably recommend that you return for meetings and classes to make sure you are staying on the straight and narrow.”
Classes. As much as I don’t want to return here, if it means I can get out tomorrow, then sign me up, but learning that Dorine, my parole officer, is going to be at the meeting fills me with trepidation. She fills me with low-key terror, but I’m hoping that she will start to warm towards me if I am at my most charming.
Be nice to Dorine.
I underline the words several times in my notebook.
“In terms of your record here, you’ve attended all of your classes on time and participated well,” Zane notes, flipping through a folder that seemed to magically appear from nowhere, “so we have a good chance that they will grant early leave if you agree to any classes they recommend.”
Nodding along like a good student, I glance up from my notes to see him grimace a little. Well, that’s not a good sign.
“Feeding was a little messy,” he explains, “but you managed to stop, and it was only your second time. Full-grown vampires can still struggle with that.”
That explains the grimace. Calling my interaction with Phyllis a little messy is a gross understatement. I almost drained the poor woman and only stopped because Zane was there. Of course, after that I fucked him in a cupboard and drank from him. My behaviour doesn’t exactly scream control. My assessors don’t know that last part though, and I don’t plan on them finding out.
Jack nods along to everything Zane says, even if he keeps his gaze on me the whole time. With a thoughtful expression, he gives me a small smile. “All of this will help, so if you can keep out of trouble until—”
His words cut off so abruptly that I think there’s a threat in the room. Eyes wide, I jump to my feet and look around for whatever caused Jack to react in this way.
“Is that a bite mark on your neck?”
Oh shit. I hardly recognise his voice, the deep rumble making him sound more animal than man. I want to cover my neck with my hand, but I know that will only make me look guilty, so instead, I clear my throat and try to meet his eyes.
“Um, no?”
Fuck. I sound so unsure that it’s obvious I’m lying.
“Who the fuck bit you? Let me know, and I will get that fucker locked up for so long they will wish they were never born.” Officer Hart stands, bracing his hands on the table as he speaks. His eyes seem to flash, turning a deep amber colour that I’ve never noticed before.
Zane chuckles, the sound deep and satisfied. He’s been noticeably quiet until now, watching my interaction with the officer, as though he was waiting for this moment. Pulling down the collar of his new white shirt, he exposes an almost identical mark on his neck.
“She’s my mate.” Pride practically comes off him in waves, as well as a decent helping of smugness as he continues to casually sit and stare down the other male.
Jack stumbles back with confusion and shock, and it’s almost as though he’s been smacked by a physical blow. “No, that can’t be possible,” he mutters, yet he no longer sounds so sure as he seems to scent the air. He looks between me and Zane, and when his gaze finally settles on me, he wears an expression of such betrayal that my throat constricts and my mouth dries up. It effectively makes me mute, and only a strange croak comes from me.
Why do people keep telling me that it’s impossible that Zane and I are mates? Is it so rare that others don’t believe us? I don’t know how to explain my surety to them. It’s a sensation that I’ve never felt before. It feels like a tugging sensation, as though I’m being pulled towards him, always having a vague idea as to where he is. The sensation wasn’t as strong when I was farther away, but now that I’m sitting in the room with him, it’s much stronger and makes it obvious to me that we’re mates.
“I think you’re getting enough help without me here,” Jack says suddenly, breaking the heavy silence between us. He pushes away from the table and stands in one smooth movement. “I’ll see you at the assessment.”
My heart is in my throat as I watch him walk towards the door, fear coursing through my veins. I don’t know how I know this, but if I let him leave like this, then anything that might have been between us will never come to fruition. This seems really important, my instincts guiding me.
