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“You don’t want me to do it?” I guess, my gaze on Kian.

“I don’t,” he says. “But I also wanted you to experience Vegas…”

“And I’d be happy to play tour guide,” Beau says. “If your dog can get over himself.”

Kian bristles. He rises and joins me by the window, and I have to actively stop myself from leaning into him.

He can’t be my source of comfort.

“Can you get along with him for a night?” I whisper to the wolf shifter.

He sighs. “Probably. I’ve stomached worse.”

“Me?” I crack a smile.

I’ve already decided to do it. Just call me a blood bag for vampires. It’s not like I can reveal my trauma to the vampire. I already told him I hadn’t met another of his kind, and it’s true enough. But that seems like it would open another can of worms and a whole new line of questions I’m not ready to deal with.

Like if the wolf shifters need vampire interference.

But where have the vampires been as the wolves eradicated covens across America?

Kian taps my cheek, drawing my attention back to him. “Careful, Astra. I might start to think you’re flirting.”

I roll my eyes. And, weirdly enough, I’m feeling more confident about the whole blood-sucking thing. Which is ridiculous. I don’t want his teeth anywhere near me. But Vegas just seems so… interesting. And different.

It would be a shame to leave now.

“You’ll stop him if he loses control and tries to kill me?” I ask.

Beau scoffs. “I wouldn’t. My control is impeccable.”

“You might,” Kian snaps. His gaze fixes on me. “Yes, little nightmare, I’d come to your rescue.” He follows me across the room to Beau. “You’re much too valuable to lose.”

“Your dynamic is quite intriguing.” He watches us intently.

There’s humor in Beau’s words, a teasing that takes me by surprise. He might be enjoying this game.

I mean, I guess he could’ve just kicked us to the curb or took what he wanted with his mind manipulation. Or left me as a cold husk in the basement…

My nerves come roaring back when Beau holds out his hand. His lips are curled in a small smile, almost demure. Waiting, though, for permission. Under the mask is a predator—and I’d be careful not to forget that.

I give him my hand.

His skin is cold. That’s the first thing I notice—and then he raises my wrist to his mouth, and his fangs descend again.

My panic flares in me like a beacon. My magic rushes through me, reacting to my fear, and my hair lifts off my shoulders.

The vampire’s hold on my hand tightens, and suddenly Kian is at my back. I shudder, but Kian grasps my waist. His thumbs inch under my shirt, rubbing my skin, and it’s the only thing that keeps me from bolting.

With inhuman speed, Beau latches on to my wrist. The pain is nothing more than a pinch, followed immediately by a flood of ecstasy. I stare at Beau’s mouth, his lips on my skin. His throat works.

My knees go weak, and only Kian’s grip keeps me standing. He takes more of my weight, his growl vibrating through my chest.

I was resistant to this?

It’s bliss. Like the last time Sonia bit me, but a thousand times better. My eyes close, and my head tips back. Peace radiates through me. My heart slows.

“That’s enough,” Kian says.