Page 36 of Silverproof Damsel

Sig chuckled, leaned closer, then planted another kiss. “She’s my baby sister, Van Helsing. You think I’d hand her over to a man who didn’t show emotion at finding her curled up with another man?”

“I wasn’t asking for your permission to take her.” Rhys’ words caused every eye in the room to land on both me and Siggy. “Ifyou think to keep her from me, I counsel you to reconsider doing so.”

“What makes you think you have a claim to our sister?” Daisy asked, her delicate tone causing Cole’s head to turn in her direction. His eyes widened before narrowing as she continued speaking. “I understand how you could think an esoteric law applies here, but she’s young. Younger than any other immortal in this room. I do not see how it would connect you to her. She wasn’t alive, let alone aware, of what she was doing when she offered you a sword.”

“It doesn’t matter whether Remington was alive or not. Our bloodlines made a concordat that’s bound by the blood we inherited through them. The blood in our veins was there the day our families created the pact together. The greatest union made is of a Silversmith and Van Helsing. One to forge the weapon, the other to wield it.” Rhys peered at the faces around him, each one willingly listening to what he said.

“Educate us, Van Helsing. How does Remington unravel her soul from yours?” Winchester inquired, her eyes thinning, mirroring his.

“Souls can never be separated from mine. Not even death would free her of the connection we share. Unlike most binding souls, our ancestors chose to make the duration of the binding unending,” he informed with an air of confidence.

My stomach somersaulted viciously. Sweat beaded on my neck, slowly dripping down it as his words vibrated through me. My palms became sweaty as I wrung my hands where they sat on my lap. Rhys’ darkening stare lowered to them, then slowly lifted to settle on my face.

“I’ve been honest with what our connection means with Remington. I never kept the truth of it from her. Ever.” He hadn’t lied about our souls tethering together as one or what it meant for us. He also hadn’t warned me of what my folly meant,either. “She knows the truth of my words. Even if she doesn’t enjoy hearing them.”

“Sharing a connection is one thing. Remington never agreed to create life with you.”

“It’s a little late to argue that point. She carries the heir to the House of Van Helsing. End of discussion.” The tic in his jaw warned that he was finished answering their questions.

“If you hurt her, know that nothing will stop us from coming for her. Nothing,” Ruger stated in a matter-of-fact tone. It caused tension to flood the room as every male felt the threat of violence drifting through the air.

Savage made a loud, sultry purring sound, entering the chamber. She was dressed in tight leather pants that she’d paired with a tight, blood-red lace, corset that tied up in the back. The pants hugged the curve of her thighs and generous backside. The corset’s crisscrossed back allowed a peek of the artwork tattooed on her spine. Strolling through it, she made a show of sitting down on the arm of the Chesterfield. It forced the Van Helsing brothers’ attention to her, cutting the tension before it could stew. Smiling coquettishly, she twirled a length of her silver hair around her finger.

Once she was certain she held their undivided attention, she spoke assertively. “If you intend to take Remington, we’re going to need a vow that she will not be harmed. Not by you.” She pointed at Rhys. “Not by anyone.” Her finger indicated the other males standing around him before she bit her lip, releasing it slowly. “While she’s beneath your roof, she’s to be considered a guest and be given sanctuary. From what I’ve learned, you vowed never to offer sanctuary to a Silversmith again.”

“Indeed,” Rhys hissed through clenched teeth.

“Prove to us that she’ll be safe with you. Offer her sanctuary within your home. Help ease our minds. After all, she’s the most innocent of our line, even though Remington’s the strongest.”

“You don’t have to do that, Rhys,” I argued, hating that he’d followed her every word, while watching her blood-red lips. Not many men could refuse Savage when she made the effort to attract them.

“Remington’s protected by something much stronger than a vow of sanctuary would provide. She’s my silver, which means I’m bound by honor to protect her from harm. I cannot harm her, just as she can never harm me or my bloodline.”

Rhys turned toward Acyn, then tipped his head. “I brought you a gift, Love.” It caused Acyn to step closer to the coffee table that sat between us and my family.

My eyes slid to Winchester, who stepped closer to me as Acyn produced a bag, which he placed before us. Opening it, he yanked out a decapitated head.

“It’s an assurance of my ability to protect her from anyone stupid enough to put their hands on her.”

“Meow. If you weren’t a Van Helsing, I’d be impressed,” Savage hummed with admiration. “Not every man brings you the head of your enemies. I’m envious of you, Remi.”

“You shouldn’t have,” I whispered as saliva pooled in my mouth.

My stomach roiled, threatening to empty its contents onto my lap. Rhys’ mouth twisted, curving into a disarming smile. Acyn placed the man’s head on the table. The skull was missing the eyes, as if they’d been ripped or maybe carved out. A blade protruded from between his lips. Sig leaned forward, gripping a handful of hair as he picked up the grotesque thing to examine.

“And who would this unlucky bastard be?” Siggy asked in a tone filled with intrigue. “Please tell me this is the asshole who shot Remington.”

Rhys remained silent. His gaze held mine with something dark and deadly simmering in the endless pools of azure. My thighs clenched as the memory of the dreamscape flooded my mind.The possessiveness he’d displayed at discovering I’d been hurt. It was hard to ignore how turned on I was by the darker, sinister side of him.

“That would be the last asshole who thought to touch my girl,” Rhys growled, forcing Siggy to release a low whistle.

Scanning the brothers’ faces, I noted Cole’s eyes thinning as his curious gaze slid over my sister. Eyebrows furrowing, I found Acyn glaring with silent accusation toward me. Rubbing my hands together, I returned my focus to Rhys’ hard, sharply chiseled features.

As my frown deepened, I noticed the blood splattered over the collar of his dress shirt. On his cheek, darker crimson droplets painted his bronzed flesh. Leaning back in the chair, he smirked as he slowly dragged his stare down my body, then returned it to my face.

“Remington has my vow of protection.” Rhys’ hands lifted as he placed them on the armrests of the chair. The motion had the entire room tensing as everyone held their breath. “That vow doesn’t extend to her family.”

“I’d like to see the blade she forged for you,” Winchester stated, bypassing the argument Rhys sought to ignite.

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