Page 109 of A Bond Beyond Blood

The others wretched and gagged as their former coworker burned to a crisp in the fireplace, but I had no sympathy for them or anyone else working for the council.Surely,they knew they could stop breathing to block the horrendous scent of their fallen comrade.Though that wouldn’t do anything to keep the sound of his crackling skin from reaching their ears.

Extreme punishments did not bring me pleasure, but war called for unpleasant things.I did hope this would inspire the rest of Winston’s allies to fall in line so that I would not have to use such brutish force again, but I knew well enough that in doing what was right, in seeking and delivering justice, things were not always neat and tidy.

Casualties were inevitable.

When Winston’s angry gaze met mine, I said,“Call a meeting of the Council of Lords.It’s time to atone for your sins.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Gannon

Vinny’s place was alright as far as bachelor pads go, and I really couldn’t complain.After we graduated and Jackie left for college, I’d stayed home to help my ma with her antique store, and had never even left the home I was raised in.So this newfound freedom was actually pretty great.

Well, save for the fact that I hadn’taskedfor it, and with freedom came a loneliness that cut like the points of a thousand knives.

But other than that!

There was no shortage of blood banks nearby, and three bars in a two-block radius where I could find a girl who’d let me feed privately.The banks could be so...impersonal.

But I never did more than feed on them, something I hoped would earn points with Jackie—if she ever gave me the time of day again.

I’d been by her place a few times in the week since Vinny got me settled here, but two of those times he’d been there, so I’d left before even knocking on the door, and the third time she’d been busy at work in the butcher shop—and I hadn’t wanted to bother her.I watched her, though, quietly from the street-facing windows, falling in love with her a little more with each second that passed.

Until Vinny showed up like the fucking stalker he is and told me to get lost.

But tonight would be different.I’d texted her in advance and asked her to meet me at our old spot.

And, by some fucking miracle, she’d agreed.

On the bench beside me was a picnic basket with her favorite food, a bottle of the red wine we drank together that night after prom, and two glasses.The view was perfect tonight, with the city all lit up across the water, glowing brightly against the dark horizon.

I heard her footsteps approach before she said anything, but kept my attention on the skyline so as not to freak her out with my enhanced hearing abilities.She might already be fucking a vampire, but as far asmeturning into one?I had yet to know how she felt aboutthat.

I mean, she had kissed me, but that might have been a one-off.For all I knew, she could be interested in finding our way back to friendship only, nothing more.

And maybe not even that.

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