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“I worry about her. That’s all.”
Ruric turned down a connecting hall. “You kissed her last night.”
Levka said nothing, realizing no matter what he said, Ruric would know the truth.
Ruric looked over at him. “You did not drink her blood.”
Glowering at Ruric, Levka did not respond.
Disbelief filled Ruric’s face. “Did you?”
Quickening his pace, Levka scowled. “No, I did not. Not in the way you mean.”
“What other way is there?”
Levka wouldn’t say.
Forcing him to stop, Ruric stepped in front of him. “What other way?”
Levka narrowed his eyes, but Ruric wouldn’t back off. “She’d bitten her lip earlier, and the blood had dried.” He pushed Ruric aside and continued down the hall.
Ruric didn’t follow at first, then he ran to catch up. “You tasted her blood. She is in your system forever.”
“How can we discover the pranksters if you’re going to question me to death?” For several minutes, they walked in silence, then Levka said, “Now you are not listening for the prankster’s conversation.”
“If you make her yours—”
“I have no intention of doing so.”
“If you do, Levka, you’ll have to get the league’s approval. You know how they are about turning a mortal.”
“I have no intention of doing that.”
“You have already kissed her and tasted her blood. We never get emotionally involved with someone we drink from, unless we want to turn that individual, to make them our lifemate. Despite denying it to me and to yourself, you have already claimed her. But you must get the league’s permission before you make her yours all the way. You cannot break the rule. Those who go against it, earn the death penalty, along with the one they have chosen. That’s one rule we just cannot break.”
Levka stopped in his footsteps. “You’re not listening, Ruric! I didn’t drink from her, exactly. And I will not—”
Ruric held up his hand for silence, and they both listened.
Directly above them on the next deck, they heard Alicia’s tearful voice, “I’m…I’m worried about Caitlin. She…she’s acting like she did before…when she first came to live with my parents and me. Can…can one of you guys talk to her?”
Chapter 8
Levka turned so quickly, only another vampire could see his action.
Ruric grabbed his arm. “We walk there like the mortals would do,” Ruric warned.
Glaring at him, Levka stalked off in the direction of Caitlin’s stateroom.
“What if she isn’t there? Shouldn’t we speak to Alicia first? Find out what’s going on?” Ruric asked.
Levka telepathically communicated to Arman, “Where’s Caitlin?”
“Her stateroom. We’re on our way there now,” Arman responded.
“What’s happened?” Levka asked.
“Alicia said that Caitlin’s on the balcony but too scared to leave it now.”
