Page 90 of A Bond Beyond Blood

“Rule?”I asked hesitantly.“Is that...are you actually aking?”

Elias smiled as he spread his hands out in front of him and I shook my head.No one of importance,he’d said on that first day we met.Right.I knew he was full of shit.

“How old are you?”I whispered.

Elias chuckled.“How old do I look?”When I didn’t answer, he said, “Born vampires age until they turn thirty, then remaininhumanlybeautiful for eternity.”With that, he turned to Jackie and winked.

But that wasn’t what I wanted to know, not really, so I dared to ask the real question.“But how long have you lived—”

“Millenia, dear boy.”His face grew serious.“I’ve walked this earth longer than most religions have been in existence.Does that answer your question?”

I gulped and nodded.Holy fuck.

“Now that we’ve covered the important details...Jack”—he swiveled toward her—“blood bond or no, therewillbe a target on your head.”

I catapulted myself over the kitchen island before realizing I’d told my feet to move.“What?”I growled.

Elias shot me a look that said we’d talk about this later, then motioned toward Jackie, who was now almost completely behind Vinny as if he’d moved to shield her as quickly as I’d flown over the breakfast bar.

Maybe we had more in common than I cared to admit.

“She reeks of me,” Elias stated.“Don’t pretend the two of you lovesick fools haven’t noticed.”

I swallowed hard, gaze flicking to Jackie as I considered that.Shedidhave a scent unlike anyone else.For sure no humans I’d come across since turning had called to me quite the way she did.Does.But I’d chalked it up to the fact that this wasJackie.Even as a human, this girl called to me.I’ve loved Jackie Fiorino since I was three years old and my mom first babysat her so her pops could run the shop downstairs without Jackie getting underfoot.I frowned and looked at Vinny, but he had the same look in his eyes, that determined but frustrated look that must mirror my own.

“How?”I asked, turning to look at Elias.“Who are you?”

“There will be plenty of time for that.For now, we need to focus on a plan.It only makes sense that the girl will come to live with me—

“No,” the three of us said in unison, but only I earned a wrathful stare from the vampire king.

I cleared my throat.“With all due respect, I mean.Sir.”Shit.Was I supposed to bow or something?Speak to him differently now that I knew who he was?

Elias rolled his eyes.“Fine.If it makes you feel better, the two of you may join us as well.It’s safe to assume that anyone tied to the girl will be tied to me eventually and, frankly, targeted when things go awry.Which they no doubt will.”He chuckled as if reminiscing.“I don’t expect my return will be very well received by certain council members.”

“No.”Vinny shook his head.“She’s not going to live with you.”

“And, what, pray tell, willyoudo when my enemies come for her?”Eli swiped a wine glass from the table and took a sip.“You’re a toddler compared to my brethren.”

Jackie stepped forward then, right past Vinny to sit on the couch directly across from Elias.Her shoulders rose and fell on a deep breath, then she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees.“I speak for myself and make my own decisions.The answer is no.A veryfirmno.I’m not leaving my home, my father’s shop.”

Eli let out a longsuffering sigh.“I had hoped you’d be slightly more agreeable.”He watched her for a long, weighted moment, then hetsked.“Pity, that.”He rose to his feet and strode to the door.“The boy stays with you.There’s a Council of Lords to overthrow and I can’t very well have him getting underfoot.You understand.”

With that, he was gone.

My eyes widened as the eyes of the two remaining people in the room swung toward me.

Did he just...did Eli justleaveme here?

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