Page 14 of Forever Desired
Guide them.
Be the leader he’d never wanted to be.
“Isn’t it enough that I employ our people? I ensure there are safe feeding sanctuaries around town. I look out for vampires in the city of Las Vegas and the whole damn state of Nevada,” he snapped. He ran a hand through his hair. “And I just returned from fighting alongside our kin overseas.”
The Turkish vampires had been in the middle of a war with a strong insurgent of rogue vampires. It was a civil war that had been brewing for decades now.
The clan leader, Izel, appreciated the help of Sorin and his men.
“What you do for vampires is honorable. There is no doubt about that, Sorin. You know our people love you and will do anything for you. It is time for you to take your rightful place as clan leader. Here.”
Sorin glanced away and ran a hand along his face. He pulled back and took notice of the tremble in his hand. Flashes of Athena’s smile as she performed came to mind.
A pain ripped across his chest.
He grimaced and rubbed his pecs. It would seem the blood he’d drank at home was wearing off.
That wasn’t a good sign.
Until he got his mate’s blood in his system, the cravings for her would grow. He would need to feed more often, and if he wasn’t careful enough, the hunger could consume him.
“What was that?” Linkin asked, not missing anything.
“Nothing,” he lied.
His friend’s keen eyes narrowed on him, but he remained quiet.
Sorin glanced back out the window and saw they would be arriving at their destination soon.
Thinking of Athena, he knew he would have to move up his plans of claiming her.
Now he had found her, he couldn’t lose her.
“So it would seem you are on the side of the council,” Sorin said, focusing back on Linkin.
“I’m not on the side of the council. I’m on the side of vampires.” He smirked.
The car turned onto an old dusty road that headed right from the highway. A couple of miles later, they passed through an invisible field that protected the area from wandering eyes.
Powerful witches had warded the land to keep the sacred grounds hidden from view.
The car slowly continued down the narrowed road leading into the desert canyons. The large mountainous backgrounds were majestic in nature and had a wonderful allure to them.
Built into the mountains was the Stronghold.
In the days when vampires had first settled in Las Vegas hundreds of years ago, they’d gone to the mountains. There they developed a cavernous system that allowed them to exist without ever being touched by sunlight.
The Stronghold, the official home of the clan’s leader, had been left empty for years.
They drew closer to the stone building constructed into the mountains. It was a breathtaking structure that had stood the test of time during the wars with the lycans. Large glass windows, treated with a chemical that blocked out the sunrays, could be seen along with the stone architecture.
Guards stood watch on the landings that were visible on top of the keep’s walls.
“Home sweet home.” Linkin chuckled.
Sorin’s gaze swiveled to Linkin whose laughter died down.
It had been many years since Sorin had resided in the massive building.
