Chapter Nineteen
Harlow
Claimed In Blood
When I next wake, Ifeel as though I’ve been reborn.Through a rigorous, demanding process that has left me famished and sore, but reborn nonetheless.
It’s hard to tell if it’s day or night outside, as the windows are covered by heavy blackout drapes and pinned in place with furniture.But my eyes have adjusted to the darkness of Mateo’s room, and I can see his exposed upper body beside me on the bed.His eyes are closed, and his chest moves ever so slightly as I watch.More than that, I notice his color has returned to the hue I’m most familiar with.
My eyes roam over his form, drinking in the sight of the man I’ve given myself to.Not merely in the flesh, but in a soul-deep, spiritual way, I can already feel.His words were true before—this claim he’s finally put on me is iron-clad.And in that way, a piece of my freedom is again lost.
Except it doesn’t feel like a loss.It feels like a gain.
My lips lift in a smile.I traded independence, loneliness, and solitude for the eternal companionship of a vampire who would lay down his life for me or kill for me without hesitation.A man whose kisses sear my blood and whose touch brands my heart.I’m pretty sure this means that, even if something happens to the coven surrounding us beyond our four walls, I won’t ever be lonely again so long as I live.
Because I won’t have to worry about outliving my Mateo, and that is a thought that brings me peace beyond measure.
I lean down and kiss his nearest shoulder, inhaling one more lungful of him, before scooting from the bed and taking myself to the restroom.I still have no idea how much time’s passed since I barged into Mateo’s room, terrified he’d left me, but whatever else I am, I’m human enough that I have some matters to attend to before I can investigate that.Which makes me wonder if the coven sought out a home with indoor plumbing—or had it installed—entirely for the consorts they would one day acquire?
Some things are better left a mystery, maybe.
As freshened up as I can get, I pull my previously discarded oversized shirt back on and root out a pair of briefs from Mateo’s dresser.He drank my blood and shredded my panties; the least he can do is lend me something to wear.Not that I’m mad.It gives me a silly thrill to cover myself in his clothes.So much so, I tear the shirt back off and dig out more until my entire outfit is Mateo’s.It hangs off me, but I’ve rolled up the pants and pulled the drawstring tight to keep everything from falling away or tripping me, and I’ve knotted the shirt at one hip to keep it from swaying.
I feel like a woman claimed.Hopefully, I look like one, too, because I’m going to slip out of the room and see what’s become of the house and the residents.Maybe also procure some food.I have no idea when I last ate.
I slip out quietly, making sure to shut the door all the way before carrying on down the hall.I barely make it to the top of the stairs before I’m spotted, and my body goes tense.
“Why’re you out sneaking around?”The growled question is Kyson’s.
I turn and see him approaching me from one of the rooms I’ve just passed, making me realize I literally have no idea where anyone else’s space is, which feels awkward if I’m supposed to make friends with them.But I remind myself that everything about my introduction here was unplanned and frenzied, for all of us, and tell myself to give it time.
I give Kyson a careful smile.I belong here now.Even he can’t take that away.“What time is it?”
He frowns harder and folds his arms over his chest.I watch his eyes leave mine to rake over me in a critical way that makes me want to squirm, but it’s a brief sensation before his stare is back on mine.His expression changes a little, morphing with something I want to call curiosity.Except I don’t know him well enough to be confident.“Are you bonded, then?”This question is less growly, and suddenly it occurs to me that my presence has possibly made the others uncomfortable in some way.
Aside from the way Scarlet had to rescue me to bring me here.
