Page 96 of Taste of Death

Giving up on being with Amy was not an option. But there was nothing I could do here, so close to dawn and with these two in my way. Even if I managed to get past them, fight and claw my way into enemy territory as my instincts urged me, I’d never reach her. And if I harmed anyone from Blood ‘til Dawn, that would not bode well for my future plans.

A future that included Amy at my side, and this clan as our ally.

So I straightened, took calming breaths, and fell back on the lessons of courtesy and decorum that had been beaten into me since birth.

“I don’t take your insults personally,” I began.

The blunt-fanged vampire snorted. “Well, you should.”

I ignored him. “My clan has indeed done terrible things to yours, and I sympathize with your anger toward my bloodline. I apologize for my behavior and the disruption.”

The two vampires exchanged an eye roll and the blond stuck a darakt cigarette between his lips. “Yeah, whatever.”

“Before I go, I want to thank you for your steadfast protection of Amy.” That got a surprised look from both of them, as I’d hoped. “Especially now, while I, for the moment, cannot protect her myself. You’re good vampires and I’m sure your entire clan is proud to have your loyalty. Good day to you both.”

I turned and headed for my idling motorcycle without waiting for a reply. A muttered, “What the fuck?” was all I heard before my engine drowned out all other noise.

A huge, painful breath left my chest as I sat motionless on my bike. It killed me that I was leaving without Amy. It hurt beyond anything that she wouldn’t even hear me, but I had only myself to blame.

And only I could fix it.

Chapter 30

Novak

Ahuman waitress in a slinky, short dress approached me with a tray. “Can I get you a blood cocktail, sir?”

“No, thank you.”

She slipped away just as demurely as she’d approached, leaving me alone in the VIP loft of Pulse Point nightclub, one of Blood ‘til Dawn’s many businesses. I glanced at my watch, knowing full well that their lateness was a power move. As if they didn’t make me jump through enough hoops just to set up this meeting. All I could do was grit my teeth and show that I was willing to play ball.

At long last, three dark figures ascended the stairs, red smoke of darakt wafting all around them like a cloud. Thorne’s face became clear in the dim club lights first, shadows making his cheekbones and jaw more pronounced. He was flanked by Rhain and Cyan.

I didn’t get up to greet them and they showed no expectation of it, taking seats on the sofa across from me. Blood ‘til Dawn, with its humble roots, was not a clan of formalities and social gestures even after taking the ruling seat. Secretly, I’d always admired that about them.

“So, are congratulations in order?” Thorne had already finished his first darakt cigarette and lit up a fresh one. “Have you knocked up Carpe Noctem’s daughter yet?”

On either side of him, Rhain and Cyan tensed. If it was possible for Blood ‘til Dawn to hate a clan more than mine, it was definitely Carpe Noctem. Cyan especially looked like he was holding himself back from throttling me.

“Nothing came of that deal,” I said. “I had a change of heart and broke it off. Permanently. There’s nothing Baros has that would benefit me.”

Thorne’s brows lifted slightly. Whether it was genuine surprise or his usual sarcasm, I couldn’t tell. “So you’ve lost the chance for an heirandthe brusang who fell in love with you. Must be rough.”

“You still made the deal in the first place,” Rhain pointed out. “You had intentions of challenging us, of taking property that is rightfully ours. Who’s to say you won’t change your mind again?”

I straightened in my seat, folding my hands in front of me. “You’re right. I did make that deal, fully intending to work with Carpe Noctem and challenge you for ruling clan once we claimed the Crown region and gathered enough support. The heir I would have made with Inessa would have tied me to Carpe Noctem for the long haul.”

“And you changed your mind because… ?” The question came from Cyan, scowling like he didn’t expect a real answer.

“Because of Amy,” I said, looking at him squarely. “I didn’t just fall for her. I found out she’s my blood mate.”

Cyan narrowed his eyes. “That’s not possible.”

“It is possible and the truth.”

He shook his head. “It’s too rare to happen again this soon. Tavi and I are the first blood mate pairing in almost twenty years.”

I shrugged. “Maybe Temkra has blessed both of you, and us by association.”

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