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Devyn frowned. “So did I.” What the hell was going on?
Ephraim’s gaze slid to Emily. “I know you, don’t I?”
“I was engaged to Kyle.”
“Right.” Ephraim drew up a little straighter, which gave Devyn pause. He could feel the vampire’s mating frequency light up. Another, what the hell?
Without giving it a second thought, Devyn slid his arm around Emily’s waist and drew her close.
Ephraim glanced at this move, but instead of backing up, he took a step forward and addressed Emily. “Kyle was a loss to the Guard. We miss him.” Decent enough words, Devyn thought. But there was something more behind them.
“I miss him, too.”
“So, what have you been up to?”
Devyn felt Emily’s surprise at this line, as though Ephraim intended to do some flirting while he had the chance.
“I still work at the library at Tannisford University.”
“You seeing anyone?”
“Well … ”
Devyn felt something strange happen inside his own body. It was as though Ephraim’s aggression, despite Devyn’s arm around Emily’s waist, sent lightning bolts to his own mating frequency. In turn, it charged up his battle energy in a big way.
His fangs emerged and a growl, deep and strong, powered through his throat. His grip on Emily’s waist tightened. He felt her hand slide up his back and grip his neck in what felt like a possessive hold.
Ephraim blinked a couple of times and finally took a step back. But when Devyn saw the tips of Ephraim’s fangs emerge, he let loose with a second growl that turned into a roar.
Ephraim finally lifted both hands and retreated.
Devyn shook with rage, which he didn’t understand. It took him a good long moment to begin calming down and it helped to hear Emily’s voice in his head. Dial it down, Warrior. That’s it. He’s a friend, not the enemy. Yeah, come back. Come back.
‘Where had he gone’ was the question he couldn’t answer? He could have killed Ephraim if the vampire hadn’t retreated.
What the hell?
The squad had stepped in front of Ephraim, which also helped defuse the situation. The men looked stunned. Even Ephraim appeared confused. Devyn heard him say, “I don’t know why I was hitting on her like that. Shit, he has his arm around her. Sweet mother-of-the-Goddess.”
His buddies encouraged him to move farther away. It was a smart, necessary move.
Fortunately, the troll clean-up crew arrived and that aided in shifting everyone’s focus. Only what did the appearance of a wraith like this one, as well as his mention of Mastyr Leonus and the dark fae, Mitrana, actually mean for the Nine Realms? Was this a new threat to the peace of their world? Or was it just a singular event?
He felt Emily stroke his neck lightly. “I think you can lessen your grip on me now, Dev.”
He shifted to meet her gaze. Because he held her so tightly, her body was pressed up against his and she felt good. He had only one thought. He wanted to kiss her. Bad.
Then she did something that stunned the hell out of him. She put her free hand on his chest and pathed, Follow that instinct. It’s a good one.
What instinct?
When her gaze fell to his lips, he realized he hadn’t fully retracted his fangs. He hadn’t felt like he could because he needed to protect her, but from what? From another Guardsman who was trying to chat her up?
On one level, he needed to let her go, but he couldn’t make his hand release her waist. And he was still thinking about kissing her.
More in-air movement brought his gaze to Rez, who’d just arrived. His rational mind wanted to greet him. Instead, he remained silent since all he could see was more competition for Emily’s interest.
Rez inclined his head to Devyn, but his focus was all about the female vampire. He landed near her and took a good long look. A couple of the trolls were tending to her. One of them was on the phone no doubt making arrangements for her to be taken to Bergisson Realm for rehabilitation.
