Page 59 of Sacrifice of the Vampir
I wanted to argue. Wanted to tell her again how she was beautiful exactly as she was. But I could see the vulnerability in her eyes, the way this choice was still so new and fragile.
So instead, I just nodded and released her hand. Let her make the decision for herself.
She put the bra on, then the rest of her clothes, and called the high priestess to tell her what she'd seen and what needed to happen.
After making her a quick sandwich with some stuff I found in her fridge—and making sure she ate it—we left her apartment hand in hand, stepping out into a New Orleans evening that was thick with humidity, salty sea air, and the scent of jasmine. Even though it was technically still winter, I could tell it had been a warmer day, and the south had no respect for the seasons.
The French Quarter was already coming alive as we approached, music drifting from open doorways and tourists clogging the sidewalks. I tried not to scowl at them all, but it was hard not to when I really just wanted to be back in Talin's bed.
But our walk came to an end way too soon. Ancient Magicks loomed ahead, the closed sign on the door, but through the windows we could see some lights on toward the back. I could already sense the others inside, too, both vampires and witches.
Talin's hand tightened in mine.
"Hey." I stopped us just outside the door, turning her to face me. "Whatever happens in there tonight, I want you to know I'm not sorry about this."
She frowned up at me in confusion.
"This." I gestured between us. "Us. The two of us."
"It's not like we really had a choice."
"Maybe. Maybe not. But I'm still not sorry it did."
I kissed her one more time, trying to pour everything I had no time to say into the quick press of my mouth against hers.
When we broke apart, she looked around, and I knew the threads hadn't disappeared this time.
"Ready?" I asked.
She took a breath, squaring her shoulders. "Ready."
I pushed open the door to Lizzy's store, and we stepped inside to face our fate.
Chapter 15
Elias
The back room of Ancient Magicks smelled like burnt sage, incense, and candle wax. This shit would've made me sneeze back when I was human. Now it just registered as background noise to the more important details, like the elevated heart rates of everyone in the room, the sharp tang of anxiety rolling off the witches, and the steady presence of Killian and the others flanking the walls, much as they had last time we were here.
And Talin. Always Talin, her scent cutting through everything else like a blade.
The protective circle the witches prepared dominated the center of the room, drawn in what looked like salt mixed with something darker. Esme's blood maybe? I didn't think the witch coven here was into her blood magic, but then again, maybe they thought it'd be better not to take any chances.
There were no greetings. No small talk. Not even a smartass remark from Jamal or Dae about where I'd spent the last eighteen hours or so.
Talin and I settled ourselves in the center, cross-legged and facing each other. Her knees brushed mine. She reached out her hands, and I took them. I wanted to tell her to stop. That we didn't need to do this. I wanted to drag her out of here and run until we were so far away no one would ever find us.
But I couldn't do that. Kenya—my friend—would die if we didn't get her mate back. And my mate was his only chance.
"Don't let go," she whispered. "No matter what you see or feel."
"Never."
Around us, the witches began to chant. Judy led, her voice rich and commanding. Alice joined in, her tone higher but no less powerful. Esme, Angel, and Lizzy added their voices, weaving layers of protection into the circle.
Kenya sat just outside the salt line with Killian, Jamal, Brogan, and Dae-Jung, arms crossed, jaw tight.
Talin's fingers tightened around mine. Her palms were warm, slightly damp with nerves. I carefully squeezed back.
