Page 55 of Quintus

“I’m not a pack animal like the dog you lay with. I’m a great lion.”

“There’re many creatures in this world and the underworld that can take you down. Need I remind you that you just spent lifetimes in Hell? Just take a few days here in New York.”

“My blood will call to you again.”

“Viktor will be up soon.” Quintus shut the door behind him, drawing a deep breath as he walked away.

He strode down the long hallway, his mind racing. As he stepped into his office, he heard the pattering of water running above in his master bathroom and thanked the Goddess that Gabriella was settling.

The flicker of attraction that had spiked through him earlier dissipated and his head cleared. He looked at his hand, recalling his touch on Mao’s breast and cursed. “Fuck.”

Viktor, he silently reached for his brother.

“You called?” Viktor appeared before him, wearing purple pajama bottoms.

“I need a favor.” Quintus glanced to his attire. “Nice.”

“I know, right?” He smirked.

“We have a problem.” Quintus rubbed his face with his hand and stretched his neck.

“Seems like they’re racking up. What now?”

“Mao. Something…she’s…I don’t know exactly.” He paused and blew out a breath. “I touched her.”

“That seems kind of normal to me. I know you’ve got it for Gabby but Mao? She was your first. Jesus, it took you centuries before you’d even kiss another woman. I was there.”

“Yes, but this thing with Gabriella. I can’t explain it.”

“It’s her blood.”

“No, it’s more than her blood. I almost died in NOLA. That fucking demon vampire bitch from San Fran almost took me down. And then comes Gabriella, like this breath of fresh air in my life, saving me in the darkest of places. She was scared but still brave as hell.”

“The bond?”

“I know I wasn’t looking for this. But this attraction to her…I can’t ignore it. I don’t want to ignore it.”

“Okay, but you loved Mao. You just met Gabriella,” Viktor challenged.

“I was a fledgling vampire back then. Aside from our asshole sire, there weren’t any predators. Things were simple. Mao and I had time to get to know each other. Things with Gabby are different. I just want her.” Quintus shoved his fingers through his unruly hair and began to pace. “I told you…I can’t explain what’s happening.”

“What’s going on with Mao?”

“It’s not just her scent. Something’s off. She’s not right.”

“She was in Hell for over a thousand years. A little soap isn’t going to wash that shit off.”

“True, but the bond we had is broken. Something or someone broke it. She claims she still feels it, but I think she’s lying. Her eyes…” Quintus paused mid-step and glanced up to Viktor. “I touched her.”

“I don’t think that is going to go over too well with the woman you want to bond with.”

“She did something to me. It was almost like a compulsion.”

“Well yeah…I mean your hand didn’t just float there.”

“Would you stop fucking around, V? I’m serious. I was walking out the door and I sensed the dark magick.”

“Did she have any clothes on? Because you might be sensing something all right.”