Page 34 of Imprisoned with the Vampire King

Dante swung his fist into someone's face, and I bit back a gasp at the sound of flesh slamming into flesh.

Another glance at the hallway confirmed the situation.

We were fucked.

River had to leave…

Or I had to take a mate, to access more of my magic.

Fear made my throat close and my eyes sting.

There was another crack of skin on skin. Jazz, that time. Punching someone, before Dante rammed him out of the doorway with his shoulder.

People were yelling, by then. Filling the hallway. Pouring toward us.

I looked at River again, more desperately.

"I've got the door," he said.

I jerked my head in a nod, dashing away a tear that hadn't fallen.

I wouldn't cry about this.

I'd mate with Dante, get us out of my fucking prison, and we'd do what he said. Meet up to exchange blood, and nothing else.

It would have to be fine.

The elevator jostled again, just as hard as before.

Dante sent another prisoner flying out of the elevator.

River's magic finally blazed to life in the doorway, blocking the crowd on the other side. More power lit up beyond the doors as other immortals tried to channel their power into taking down River's shield.

They'd need time to do that.

Time they wouldn't have.

Jazz shoved Dante toward me, and he grabbed my arms, meeting my eyes.

Something passed between us, silently.

We'd been allies since I got there. Not really fuck buddies. Not necessarily friends, either. But definitely allies.

Being mated was going to suck, but I could've done a hell of a lot worse than Dante.

He said, looking straight at me, "If we seal a bond, we get out of here. I know the vows, but it takes two."

"This is fucking insane," I said, shaking my head and trying to swallow the lump in my throat.

He nodded.

It was fucking insane.

But he was still willing to do it.

With a shaky breath out, I took his hand. "This doesn't mean anything to either of us. We go our separate ways as soon as we're back in Rumor."

"I know."