Page 89 of Love Bites

“I felt something new in Damian’s emotions tonight,” I admitted. “Devotion. I don’t know what to think about it.”

Izzy whistled.

Avery looked over, studying me for a moment before she looked back up at the sky. “I could’ve told you he felt that, without drinking his emotions.”

“Like hell you could.”

“The way he looks at you is intense, Blair. He forced you to be his mate, but he did it because he knew he wasn’t going to be able to let you walk away.”

“That doesn’t make it right,” I shot back.

“It doesn’t,” she agreed. “But it should change the way you see your bond.”

“Why? In what way?”

Izzy answered. “Because he wants you to be his mate, Blair. Hisrealmate. Anyone with eyes can see that. He could use his strength to control you, but he actively gives you control in almost every situation instead.”

My mind went back to the first time I convinced him to drink from me more frequently. To our deal.

If he tried hard enough, he could’ve forced me to drink from him more instead of giving in. Or he could’ve let me starve until I couldn’t take it anymore.

He struggled to give up control, but he did give it up.

Frequently.

“Do you think he’s in love with me?” I asked them, fear creeping into my voice.

“I think you know his emotions well enough to figure that out yourself,” Avery said gently.

I ran a hand through my hair. It was tangled, but I didn’t care.

There was too much else to worry about.

“What would it change if he was?” Izzy asked. “You’re already mates. You already live together. He’s not letting you go.”

“Love is supposed to be dangerous. You know what happened to our moms,” I argued.

“Everything is dangerous. Your bond with Hale has made us safer than we’ve ever been before,” Izzy countered.

“Curtis is still after us.”

“There are at least a thousand vampires between us and him. We’re fine,” she said.

I looked at Avery. “You don’t agree, do you?”

She met my gaze. “Izzy’s right. Being a sirenisdangerous. Maybe love is too, but if the options are to let yourself fall for Hale or to risk your safety by walking away, there’s an obvious answer.”

“He wouldn’t let me leave if I tried,” I said in frustration.

“Have you been down to the security checkpoint recently? Or the parking garage?” Avery asked.

I blinked. “No.”

She stood, offering me her arm. I reluctantly followed her lead and took it.

“I’m going to stay here and soak up the starlight. Enjoy your tour,” Izzy said.

Avery and I fell into step together as we headed down the stairs and to the elevator on the floor beneath mine.

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