Page 46 of Ouch! My Vampire Doms Don't Sparkle
“Here.”James thrusts the bracelet into my hand.“Please.”
Closing my fingers around it, I say, “Thank you.I’m touched, truly.”
He gives me a soft smile.“Wear it always?Remember her?”
I touch the little bracelet.It’s made of leather, with stone and metal beads knotted into place at intervals.It’s actually quite beautiful.“I’ll wear it always,” I promise.
Everyone’s shuffling out of the room, and I have no choice but to join them.
“Be brave,” James says.“Remember who you are.”
Will
Xander talks to Gaius for another minute.I wait off to the side.I’ve already spoken to Gaius.Glad to be done with that chore.
Finally finished with Gaius, Xander makes his way to me.Before I can speak, he says, “I understand, and I still disagree.”
“You don’t fucking understand,” I say in a low voice.
“I do.And you’re wrong.”
“Fuck.”I look away from his face.Can’t stand the sight of him.“You have no idea what danger you’ve put her in.”
“Someone tried to kill me earlier tonight,” he says.“They very nearly succeeded.”
Before I can ask questions, Gaius steps forward, Freya and Benjamin with him.His movement is purposeful.Gaius says, “We may be calling San Esteban our home for a while.William and Alexander have been so kind as to allow us entry to this fair city.Their hospitality will not be forgotten.”
Fuck.Fuck.He knows he’s overstepping.He’s just waiting to see if we do anything about it.
The vampires in the room applaud.
Gaius takes one of Freya’s hands, and Benjamin takes the other.In unison, the two men lean in and bite Freya’s neck, one on either side.Freya’s eyes flutter shut, her brow wrinkling in temporary pain before smoothing into bliss.
Gaius pulls away from her, licking his blood-stained fangs, while Benjamin continues to drink.Raising his voice, Gaius says, “Let the blood banquet begin.”
I barely see Xander move.One moment he’s at my side.The next, he’s waiting in front of the door where Autumn disappeared a few minutes ago.
Autumn steps out in the middle of the group, next to Gaius’s hopeful novicant.James, I think the guy’s name is.He’s been hanging around Gaius for ages, hoping Gaius will finally turn him.But why would Gaius transform a perfectly useful human who does his bidding into another expendable vampire warrior?He won’t do it.I pity the poor asshole, always have.
Xander holds out his arm to Autumn, who takes it.He marches her to me.Just as they reach me, the chandelier goes dark, all candles doused.
A human gasps in fear.
The vampires, of course, can still see in the darkness.Autumn’s face goes slack with surprise and she clings to Xander’s arm.
“What’s happening?”she whispers.
“She shouldn’t be here,” I say.
Autumn looks as if I’ve struck her.“I’m sorry, I thought—Xander said—”
“I don’t blame you, love,” I say, gathering her to me and away from Xander’s grasp.“Let’s sit down.”
“I can’t see anything,” she whispers.
“We’re with you,” Xander says.
I shoot him a look over the top of Autumn’s head.Nowhe’s with her?After days of avoidance?
