AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Kaien was worth more than revenge ever could be.
Squaring her shoulders, she gave Nero a sidelong glance from where she stood beside him. “Torrin has a Raeth in his employ. Did you see him?”
“I did.” Nero’s obsidian brown eyes narrowed. “I’m not familiar with the youngling and can’t identify him. Regardless, we must inform the others.”
“And soon,” Remmus added, joining in the conversation. “We have two sovereigns out of commission following an attack on vampire soil that left a trail of bodies even we can’t hide. The humans are going to start asking questions.”
Nero nodded. “We’ll have to return to the scene before law enforcement arrives; clean it of any supernatural remains or signs of our existence.”
“I’ll contact the vampire council,” Blair said. “They’ll have a failsafe for this scenario, clean-up crews that can be in and out before any mortal notices. Given that Luc’s House was situated in a remote location, it may be a while before the alarm is sounded.”
“Do it.” Nero’s demeanor shifted seamlessly to sovereign, locking eyes with Blair to ensure she acknowledged the request.
Remmus cast a glance to where Nina lay unmoving. “What’s more, we’re now vulnerable to attack from our enemies.”
Nero straightened, drawing up to all six foot four of his indominable height. “If that Raeth with Torrin knows anything about our society, he’ll know we’ve left two of our largest clans without their sovereign. They may attempt to take us while we’re down.”
“Then we bolster our forces,” Blair replied. “We call upon our allies. We’ve made peace among our nations, and now two Raeth clans have taken a hit by helping the vampires. Our alliance is strong enough to where we can ask this of our friends.”
A round of nods amongst the assembled immortals, but it was Nero who spoke. “I will call upon the delegates.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kaienwoketodarkness,and for that, he was glad. Inhaling deeply for the first time in what felt like ages, relief surged through him. The knifing pain that’d plagued him since he’d confronted Torrin had finally abated. Eased, he pressed off the mattress with the intention of pushing himself into a sitting position.
He never made it.
Feminine arms tightened around him with a fierceness that surprised him. The woman’s heavenly scent accosted him, drowning him in jasmine with a hint of spring water. Blair’s face appeared beside him only seconds later, rousing a genuine smile from his features at her closeness.
“Kaien!” Such relief, such wholesome wonder. “You’re awake!”
He stilled as the vampire tenderly nuzzled against him, wishing against hope that her affection for him would be something more than short-lived. “What are you doing here?”
The vexatious vampire raised a single eyebrow. “You think I’d leave you alone? You’ve been comatose for three days.”
“Three days? Are you wounded? Do you need—”
“I’m fine, Kaien—much better now that you’re conscious.”
Frowning, he exhaled and quickly checked on the psychic network. As Blair’s head rested against his shoulder, he savored the sensation of his mate holding him as though she’d never let him leave. Here, surrounded in her tantalizing scent and trapped in the heavenly bliss of her embrace, he was utterly content.
“The silver is mostly out of your system now.” Blair’s fingertips traced down his spine and sent a jolt of pleasure through his system, chased by an overwhelming wave of desire that followed white-hot in his veins. “It just took a while.”
“Is my sister awake?”
“Not yet.” Now, her fingertips then trailed to his jaw, ruthlessly grabbing his chin and aligning it with hers so she could peer directly into his eyes. “Look at me, lumberjack.”
He did, patiently waiting for whatever it was she needed to say to him. A pregnant pause followed her command, her gaze scrutinizing him.
“You risked your life, Kaien.” A flash of anger narrowed her eyes. “More than once.”
Ferocity itched through their ghosting mating bond, and it reflected on her face. Kaien loosened his jaw to account for his actions. “I knew the sunlight bullet might kill Luc. It wouldn’t kill me. I couldn’t watch as someone you loved died when I could stop it.”
“And what was your intent in confronting Torrin? In chaining me up and leaving me behind while you sought glory for yourself?”
Words stalled in his throat, excuses failing him. When he made no attempt at a proverbial alibi, the vampire shot him a dark look.
“Whatever will I do with a suicidal mate?” Pushing him onto the mattress below them, Blair positioned herself to hover above him.
