Page 20 of Hunting Savage
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper.“She’s nothing but a little nobody that waltzed into your club claiming to be here with another one of your...clan.All of a sudden, you say she’s yours.Which is it, Savage?”
Savage tilted his head, studying the female.She was trembling, her eyes bright with a mixture of rage and fear.This wasn’t just about claiming her.Although she was his, he’d kill anyone who thought to take her from him.This was about territory, about proving to her and everyone else that she was more than a little nobody as the fucker claimed.
“No,” he said simply, turning his back on Astaroth.“I have better things to do than bicker with you like a child.You have exactly five seconds to leave before I take your head.”
For a moment, time froze.Savage watched the female’s face twist in fear and knew if she could, she’d storm off.She shifted from left to right, the leather soles of her tennis shoes squeaking on the concrete floor like a ticking bomb.He wanted to see her in a pair of high heels and a sexy, curve-hugging dress.
He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.The image of her morphed into one of them tangled together with nothing between them but skin, making it painfully obvious what he was thinking.Her eyes widened as they flicked from his face down his body, bouncing back to his face.The swift intake of her breath made him smile.
“I’d apologize, Vita Mea, but we both know it would be a lie.”He brushed his thumb over her lips, feeling the puff of air for himself.Fuck, this woman was like his own personal elixir.
“Boss, it’s been five seconds, and they’re still here,” Scepter said.
He didn’t bother to answer.Instead, he snapped his fingers.The room shifted, the air charged with anticipation.The club disappeared, replaced with a large room filled with his clan.Astaroth’s smirk faltered, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty.
Savage placed the female behind him with Trystan, with Trystina flanking her.
“What is the meaning of this?”the other vampire asked, spinning in a circle, his arms wide, no doubt searching for an exit.
“This is my chamber.I didn’t want to cause any more damage in the club that humans might see.You never know when one might have abilities,” Savage said, rubbing his chin.
“You truly think you can kill me and my enforcers without repercussions?”Astaroth asked, taking a step toward Savage.
Savage eliminated the space separating them.“I gave you chances, multiple chances to leave of your own accord, but you continued to challenge me.This is my territory.She is MINE,” he roared.
The very walls shook with his anger.Astaroth was an older vampire that Savage had held back from taking out due to the power he held within their infrastructure.He wasn’t sure he could keep from taking the male's head if he didn’t capitulate.
“Fine, I see you have a—connection with her that is greater than what I thought I had sensed.I will take my leave if you allow it?”Astaroth gritted out.His face flushed a deep red.
“Hmm, you almost sound sincere.How can I be sure you won’t return with an army to try and take me and mine out?”Savage asked, walking back to where he’d left his female.He needed to find out more about her, starting with her name and what magic she wielded.
Trystan and his twin Trystina kept her between them without physically touching her, yet they knew to place her to the right of his throne.Smart.
He spun before taking his seat, facing Astaroth.“A blood oath?”Savage asked, raising his brow.
Astaroth sucked in an audible breath.“You know that is not something one usually does.”
With one leg draped casually over the arm of his chair, Savage waited for the other vampire to realize he had no other recourse.
“You’re a true bastard, Savage Rossi.Fine, I will do it.”
Before the other male could take the words back, Savage flashed in front of him.“I’m glad you made that decision, Astaroth.The last thing I wanted to do was wipe your clan from this Earth.”He grabbed Astaroth’s right arm, baring his wrist.“Scepter, a cup if you will.”
At his words, a large black goblet appeared below Astaroth’s wrist.No fucking way was he going to risk a permanent connection by biting into the male’s skin.However, he’d take the blood and bind his words in the way of their kind.Astaroth’s blood would mix into a ritual as old as time, ensuring his oath would keep him from trying to take back his word.
Savage sliced open the male’s vein, allowing blood to fill the cup halfway, then lifted Astaroth’s arm.“Seal your wound.”
The hate emanating wasn’t shocking, but Savage didn’t flinch from the heat burning back at him.
“Lift the block so we may leave.”Astaroth’s words were more than a request.His resolve hardened, but he waved his hand, bringing them back outside the club, leaving Scepter to guard his female.
Astaroth and his males stared at him as if he were an anomaly.Savage didn’t mind showing them the power he wielded effortlessly.It was why he was King, and they were lesser males.“Do not take my kindness for weakness, Astaroth.I allowed you and your males to live with little to no damage.Although you did lose a few, I could’ve taken all of your heads.Don’t make me regret being lenient.”
With a slight bow that looked more mocking than gracious, Astaroth didn’t say a word before he and the others dispersed into a fine mist, and then they were gone.
“You’ve made an enemy of that one, Boss,” Oakley said from the darkness behind him.
Savage nodded, knowing the truth of what his friend said.“He gave a false oath.I’ve put a tag on all of them, but I don’t trust him or his clan.He is several centuries older than I am.I’ve always known he wants to be in my position as King.Until recently, he didn’t have the power or backing.He said you met my female?”He turned to face Oakley.
