Page 8 of Love Bites

Suddenly, I had his full attention.

“I’ll need to see the marking.”

Clementine stepped up to him, and he pulled out a flashlight, running it over her throat. The blue of the dark line stood out more beneath the light, proving it wasn’t yet permanent.

“This happened in Mistwood?” he asked.

“Yes,” she whispered. “At the Red Ring nightclub.”

He turned off his flashlight. “I’ll need to get in touch with one of the vampires in Hale’s inner circle. They’re the only ones who can decide whether or not to intervene. You can leave me with your number, or wait there.” He gestured to a large section of chairs, lined up carefully.

“We’ll wait,” I said. “How long will it take?”

He shrugged. “The vampires usually answer immediately, unlike some of the other types, but the decision will likely be Hale’s. The vampires have an important competition going on right now, as well as some large-scale renovations, so it could be a few weeks until he sees your request.”

“We don’t have time,” I said. “Is there anything we can do to speed it up?”

“No. I’ll try to convey the necessity of moving quickly, but I can’t guarantee anything.”

“Thank you,” I said, and we made our way to the chairs together.

None of us said a word as we waited.

We watched the receptionist—Johnny—make one call. And another. And another.

An hour had passed when a tall, elegant woman with a mate mark around her throat joined Johnny at his desk. He waved us over, and we all went back.

“I’ll need you to prove your magic,” the woman said to Clementine, not politely but not cruelly either. She ignored the rest of us.

Clem nodded, and I felt the light brush of her power as she put it into the air.

The woman sucked in a breath. “Definitely a siren. Alright.” She looked at all of us. “It’ll be a few weeks before I can get your case to Hale. Sirens usually live in pods, so is it correct to assume the five of you want to stay together?”

We all nodded.

“I’ll make sure to note that on the request. I understand the danger that a forced mate bond can pose to all of you,” she said, then looked at Clementine. “I can give you a room in our wing of the Manor until Hale reviews the situation. Your sisters won’t be allowed in until he makes a judgment, unfortunately. I assume they have a safe place to stay until then?”

She looked at me.

I nodded, though my stomach clenched at the idea of leaving Clem behind.

“The wolves after us are watching the nightclubs,” Izzy said. “We won’t be able to risk feeding there without protection.”

Which meant starving.

I was used to that, but my sisters weren’t. They usually fed every week, like sirens were supposed to.

“I understand, but this is the best I can do until Hale gets a chance to look at everything. You should survive a month and a half without food, right?”

Survivewas a loose term, but we could technically do it.

“Yes,” I admitted.

“I will make absolutely sure that it’s handled before then,” she promised. “Now, if you’ll come with me…” she gestured to Clementine, who nodded.

She gave us all quick hugs, then followed the vampire woman toward a set of large doors off to the side of the room.

We all watched them go.

---