Page 96 of To Crave Madly
“Levi!”
My mind snapped back to reality to find Lori staring at me bemusedly.
“Sorry. I… um… got lost there for a second.”
Lori smiled at me and it was like basking in the rays of the sun. She really was a beautiful person, inside and out. If I could tear myself away from my research and books for more than five minutes, I’d like to think I’d find someone like Lori, but I was married to my research and very happy with my life. I wasn’t missing anything and, if I ever had an urge of a sexual nature, I knew where to go to enjoy that. I didn’t need a relationship. They were distracting and messy.
“That’s okay. I just wanted to say Torsten is soulless so the bond couldn’t be tied to that.”
“Oh. That narrows down the field somewhat, then. I will look into it for you. I don’t really know anything about them yet, but I will find out what I can.”
She placed a hand on my forearm and squeezed gently. “Thank you, Levi. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Wander through your days in a bubble of ignorance?”
Lori laughed good naturedly and I felt my lips curl into a smile. “That’s entirely possible. Can I ask you to keep this between us for now? Just until I’m ready.”
I covered her hand with my own and returned the friendly squeeze. “Of course. I’ll let you know when I find something.”
She nodded and stood to leave. “My mark changed again by the way.”
Curiosity flared to life in my veins instantly. “It did? How so? Can I see?”
Another nod. “Something called a True Vampire Bond imprinted in the centre. Look.” She pulled the corner of her shirt down and the red vampire bond mark sat proudly in the middle. I stood up to take a closer look.
“Interesting…”
“Any chance you know why it merged with Lucifer’s mark?”
“It might be because it is old magic. Magic that is no longer practiced anymore. I will add speaking to a witch historian to my to-do list. I have an old friend who might be able to help.”
“Thanks, Levi. I owe you one.”
“I will be sure to collect if I ever find myself in need of some help,” I answered jovially.
“I’d best be off. Elissa said I needed at least two hours to prepare for the ball tonight. How it can take two hours is beyond me. But I suppose it is a sacrifice I must make for the greater good.”
I chuckled at that. She didn’t look like the type of girl to sit in front of a mirror to perfect her look. The messy bun and go get ‘em look she had really worked for her.
“I am sure you will look beautiful, Lori. It’s a shame I cannot go with you.”
“Urgh. I wish you could. Between Alec and Cassian’s foul mood and Jasper’s watchful eye, I am not going to be having any fun tonight. I’m just glad I will have Rae and Saskia to act as buffers between me and my entourage. Otherwise, I might end up committing murder.”
“You do know patience is a virtue, right?”
She scoffed. “And dicks belong in pants, not personalities, but we can’t all be winners can we.”
A bark of laughter left my throat and caught me by surprise. “That’s true. I’ll reach out to you when I find something.”
“Thanks. See you later.” She walked over to the door but something about the passage I read earlier had me shouting her name.
“Yes?” she called over her shoulder.
“Did you ever learn your demon's name?”
A flash of sadness welled in her eyes at the mention of her demon. She must have assimilated if she felt grief.
“Yes. Her name was Iveri,” she stated just before she left the room.
