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My head whipped around, my eyes taking in the intense, feral gazes. I suddenly noticed that no one was eating. They just had red wine in front of them.
Not red wine. My heart began to gallop.
Stark continued like this was just another day in Vampire Land, “They won’t allow you to leave until you’ve answered her challenge. It is why I told you to take my blood and not to eat. I wanted to ensure you had fully absorbed it. Just in case she showed up.”
I lost my cool. “You set me up. You knew this would happen.”
Stark remained calm, almost indifferent. “I understood it was a possibility. Public confrontations are par for the course among my kind.”
“Oh. You think you’re being funny right now with your golf lingo, buddy?”
“No, but it is time to put my cards on the table, Masie. I want you, and she will not accept it until she’s had her fun.”
So he just thought,Let’s rip off the Band-Aid and pit Masie against an irate vampire?Side note: how the hell were there so many vampires in Leiper’s Fork?
I have to get out of here.I stood and started heading for the French doors leading outside to a patio.
“You! Kicklighter!” the woman yelled. “Where thefuckdo you think you’re going?”
I ignored her, rushing toward the exit. But before I took five steps, Stark was there, gripping me by the arms. “You should’ve taken the pill,” he scolded. “I trusted you.”
Why would he do that? “Next time, try tellin’ the truth. Now let me go. I’m leaving.”
“You cannot. I already explained this,” he growled.
“I’m not gonna tussle with your ex. She’ll whip my butt.”
“I am aware of that. Thus the reason I wanted you to take my blood as insurance.” His eyes scanned the room and then focused on the approaching blonde. “Tell me right now, Masie, and do not lie. If I can prove we are mates, are you prepared to be with me?”
“I don’t under—”
“Yes or no.” He gave my bare shoulders a firm squeeze.
Telling him no didn’t sound like the right answer. Not if I wanted to live. “Sure. Fine. Yes.”
“You’d better not be lying to me, woman, or so help me, I will end everything and everyone you love. That is, if we make it through the night.” He pushed me behind him and faced the blonde. “Fiona.” He dipped his head of beautiful silky black hair. “You are looking lovely, as usual. Very fierce and deadly, too. Unfortunately, your challenge cannot move forward.”
“Why?” she snarled.
“Because I have confirmed she is my mate.”
“Mate? A second one?” She laughed, throwing back her head of wavy blonde hair. “We all know that’s impossible.”
The roomful of creepy, rich vampires laughed, too.
“Not a second mate. My first. Reborn in a new body,” Stark declared, all cocky and proud.
The woman, Fiona, frowned.
“Do not be so shocked,” Stark said. “The prime minister himself claims to be the reincarnation of Lord Bleyer, and I have proof that she, Masie Kicklighter, is my Anna.”
The room gasped in unison.
Oh Lord.What was happening? My head whipped from side to side between Stark and Fiona.
“That can’t be,” Fiona said. “You’re mad for even suggesting it.”
“To the contrary. I am thrilled to have her back.” Stark reached behind him and took my hand, dragging me to his side.
