Page 17 of Soren

A combination Sorenshouldbe craving.

But there he was, closing the man’s wound and leaving them both unsatisfied.

It just wasn’tlikehim.

Soren had gotten used to indulging all his baser instincts a long time ago. Those instincts Roman called his demon, what Soren just called his inner vamp. The voice inside them both that called out for blood and violence and a good, hard fuck.

Roman had been fearful in the past, of giving in to that side of his nature. He’d worried indulging his demon would lead him more quickly onto the path of becoming feral, of losing his humanity. But Soren had always felt fighting against his vampire nature did more harm than good in that regard. And so he generally chose to give in to his own debauchery.

It had served him well. He was still sane at this point, even after more than three centuries as a vampire. Even without finding a mate like Roman had to tether him to his humanity.

But since coming to this boring-ass town, Soren’s inner vamp didn’twantto get up to any of its old habits. It didn’t want to fuck this doctor, really. It wanted only one thing. Oneperson.

Soren huffed, annoyed with himself, then turned to Monroe.

The man blinked at him slowly. “Your eyes.”

Soren knew what Monroe saw. What anyone saw when his demon was out. If he smiled, Monroe would see his fangs as well. But he wasn’t in the mood for smiling. He looked deep into Monroe’s eyes, which were a murky green.

Soren preferred a golden brown these days.

Compulsion was Soren’s specialty. He matched his breathing to the man’s, syncing their rhythms. “My eyes look like they always do. Nothing unusual here. We made out for a bit here in this alley. You tried to take me home. I told you, another time. I’m a tease like that.”

“A tease,” Monroe repeated blankly.

Soren smirked. “Go home now. Rub one out, if you like. I don’t even mind if you think of me while you do it.”

Soren turned and left the alley quickly, frustrated with himself for his own moderation.

Moderation wasn’t histhing.Debauchery was. Random hookups. Endless parties. More blood than he could stomach.

But he hadn’t been himself since coming to Hyde Park and seeinghim.

Because wasn’t that how he’d rather be spending his night? He wanted to be back at the house, with eyes on Gabe, making sure the human was okay after the panic of that morning.

Except Gabe was at his stupidwork. The only reason Soren had come out at all.

Soren’s phone dinged on the way to his car. A text from an unknown number.

Where is my angel?

No, no, no.

Soren’s blood ran cold, his fingers trembling around his phone. It took everything in him not to freeze where he stood. He forced himself to get calmly into his car, refusing to let his steps falter.

Hendrick didn’t know where Soren was. He’d already be there if he did.

But the text was a message: he was looking.

This was it. It was time for Soren to leave—he’d officially stayed in one place too long. Soren should heed the warning.

But he didn’t drive out of town. Didn’t text Roman, telling him he needed to leave, to find another family babysitter.

Soren drove back to Danny’s house.

He waited for the human to return.

Soren was an idiot.

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