Page 12 of Quintus

“You saw through my glamour,” she challenged.

“I’ll admit I saw you flicker for a few seconds in the crypt. It’s true. I see through your magick. I see you.”

“No one has ever seen through my glamour except for Lilitu.”

“And I take it she’s from your coven?”

“The high priestess. But you see, some things, no matter how impure they deem me, my magick is no different than theirs.”

“Your mother was a witch?”

“Yes. She was beautiful. Powerful. All creatures were drawn to her light. She would not be bound by the coven.”

“And your father?”

“I don’t know who he was. She told me he was warlock.”

“But he wasn’t?”

“No, no he wasn’t. He couldn’t have been. And now, I don’t belong anywhere. I am the hunted.”

Outcast. Alone. Gabriella’s emotions danced over his mind. As much as Quintus wanted to block the pain, he suspected she knew of the connection, was allowing him to read her. In the heat of the moment, he held her small form against his and wished he could keep her safe forever.

“That woman I met. She said something about a spell that can be done to break the coven. But I need help. Which okay…like duh. I could hardly do it on my own. Because, believe me, if I could I would. I’ve been running…running so damn long.”

“They won’t find you here.” He pressed his lips to her hair, her enticing scent drifting around him.

“You don’t understand. Ramiel. He knows about me. I don’t know how he found out.”

“Ramiel?”

“He’s the guy who’s expecting my blood. A vampire. He sells it in the underground clubs.” She blew out a breath and continued. “It’s not like I want to sell my blood. I want you to know that. It’s just that I needed money. I don’t usually go in the clubs either. You know, like the night I found you. I was only in there because I was supposed to meet Ramiel. When I go, I always have to use my glamour. But for the most part, I try to stay away from those places. I can’t risk doing too much magick in the open. The coven always finds me. Always.”

“How did you know I was in the club?”

“I didn’t. Like I said, I was just in there to meet Ramiel. But people talk. Everyone was saying you’d been in there. That you weren’t leaving. Before that, I’d been working up the courage to go to Kade for help. I figured he’s the head vampire. He’d know you.”

“But I’m usually in New York.” Quintus stilled as she ran her palm onto his chest, desire twisting through him. He took a deep breath, willing his arousal to cease.

“I didn’t want to go to you directly. People say…”

“People say what? I’m sure I’ve heard it all.” A corner of his mouth ticked upward.

“You’re dangerous.” She bit her lip.

“I am,” Quintus answered honestly.

“You kill people.”

“I do.” Not without reason.

“I was afraid.”

“You weren’t afraid in the crypt.” Quintus recalled how she’d chained him. “You do not fear me, pet?”

“Yes. No.” Gabriella grazed her leg against his and went still as if she knew what she’d done. “Maybe…it’s just…I couldn’t leave you in there.”

“You needed me alive,” Quintus said, disappointment in his tone. Why was it important to him that there was another reason? He didn’t even know her.