Page 38 of That Mafioso Magic
“In exchange for my blood, I ask for two things.”
“Okay, and they are?”
He held up one finger. “You must promise to never use your magic against me or my loyal vampires in any way ever again. You or Sage.”
I barked out a laugh at that. “And if you attack me or Sage, we’re just supposed to take it?”
“In addition to my blood, I promise that neither I nor my vampires will harm you or Sage. Like you’ve said, having powerful mages as allies is far more important to me than having Sage’s territory,” Salino said.
“So, a treaty to be nice to each other, then?” I asked, wanting clarification.
He nodded once, then held up a second finger. “I want you to sever the line between my Emperor and all the vampires of his linage.”
Holy shit, that was a tall fucking order. One that I wasn’t even sure I could do. I knew one thing, if it was even possible, I would need Sage’s help for sure. I took a deep breath, then let it go. “What if it can’t be done?”
“Figure it out,” Salino simply said, leaving no room for error. “It is what I ask. An alliance and freedom from my Emperor. Do you agree?”
Well, I needed his blood, so I would have to agree. Like Shi said, we would deal with the consequences later. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get the blood without giving something equally as important to a vampire in return. I must admit, though, I hadn’t expected him to ask me for those two things.
“I agree to your terms,” I said.
“Good. Then we have a deal. I do hope you brought something to capture my blood in,” Salino asked, arching both eyebrows.
“Of course.” I stood up and reached into my inside jacket pocket, pulling out the vial I had. I walked over to Salino and held it out toward him. He looked at it, but didn’t bother to take it.
“Better unscrew it,” he said.
I did, then held it back out to him. He brought his wrist to his mouth and I saw the flash of his very sharp fangs right before he plunged them into his own flesh, creating a wound for his blood to flow. He pulled back, licking his lips with a shiver. I held the vial under the flow, collecting the blood until it was almost full. I pulled the vial away, twisting the cap back on it. Salino licked his wound closed and the entire time this action transpired, he kept me locked in his gaze. I could feel the passion of his heat through that stare. It made things on my body harden and this was no time to be walking around with my dick and nipples on full display.
“Thank you,” I said, then took several steps backward.
“Once you are done saving Sage, I do expect you to fulfill your end of our bargain,” Salino said.
“I always keep my word.”
“As do I.” He crossed one of his long legs over the other, but didn’t move as I made my way out of his office.
“Are you okay?” Shi asked once I was free of Salino’s presence. The two vampire guards were giving me dirty looks, pissed that I’d attacked their boss. It really was time for us to get the fuck out of there.
“Yeah, let’s go,” I said, then walked off toward the elevator. Once we were inside, I exhaled a breath I didn’t even know I’d been clinging to. “Holy fuck, that was some next level shit!”
“I’m impressed that you handled yourself that well,” Shi complimented.
“Oh, trust me, I was scared shitless. I just knew that I couldn’t let him know. Vampires smell fear like cheap cologne.”
“Shifters can smell it even more acutely. I knew you were afraid, which is why I’m even more impressed with you. Salino is no walk in the park. He’s one of the most powerful and vicious vampires in the city. You don’t get to the position of Archduke by being anything but. Sage would be proud.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” I said.
She turned to me now, a look of concern on her furrowed brow. “Meaning?”
“I’ll tell you in the car.”
~*~
“Are you fucking insane!” Shi screamed after I told her what I’d agreed to in order to get Salino’s blood. “I knew I shouldn’t have left you two alone.”
“It was the only way to get his blood. Also, I think having Salino as an ally is better than an enemy, wouldn’t you agree?” I pointed out.
