Page 118 of Undying
I’m not sure I should thank him for the chance to defend myself or kick him in the nuts for the oh so helpful offer of escort. I don’t look away from him, sensing he’s the bigger threat, despite his friendly smile and relaxed posture.
“Dafoe became obsessed with me. When I refused his not so gentle attentions, he killed me.” I shrug away the horrors that I had to endure because of that megalomaniac. “Well, mostly anyway. I woke up a few days later and took my vengeance. I can assure you, I am the lone survivor.” I give them all a toothy smile, flashing them my fangs.
“You expect us to believe that a fledgling, a female at that, was able to take out a whole house?” A middle-aged, dark skin man from farther down the table leans forward, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. Despite his age, his foreign accent is still heavy and harsh to my ears.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes at his dubious tone, but Stanton answers before I can call the prick a chauvinistic ass. “All of us know that bloodlust can be a powerful thing.”
While I could kiss him for coming to my defense, I don’t like the speculative looks that are cast in his direction. If I’m going to go down for murder, I don’t want to take my mates with me.
I’m so distracted, I don’t notice when the vampire sitting next to me reaches out to touch my hair. Castle releases a growl loud enough to echo in the room. With his fangs and claws on display, his green eyes glowing, he is an imposing figure. “You touch her, and I’ll take more than your hand.”
A warm glow fills me at Castle’s protective nature, and I wish I could kiss him.
Though the creepy vampire retreats, the urge to hurt me still shines in his eyes, and he whines to the others at the table. “Why are shifters allowed in here again? The feral beasts are nothing but a menace that should be hunted and eradicated.”
Before I lose my shit and eat the fucker, the teenage vampire interrupts. “I’m curious how you got the barbarian and Viking to come to heel. They’re some of the oldest shifters still in existence. That’s quite a feat.”
I almost smile when he echoes the private nicknames I gave my guys. Pleasure fills me at the chance to publicly claim my mates, and I lift my chin. “No one can make those two do what they don’t want. I would never try to bring them to heel. They’re my mates and only came today to support me.”
The room erupts into chaos, the condescending asshole in the wig the loudest detractor. “That’s impossible. You’re wrong. Shifters only mate with warm bloods. Everyone knows that.”
I snort at the derogatory tone, not impressed with him in the least. Only a few of the vampires remain silent. Observant. I make a mental note to watch them closer, uncertain if they’re friend or foe yet. Then I turn toward the idiot protesting the loudest. “Since I’m a dhampyr, I don’t see the problem.”
ChapterThirty-Five
JOLIE
Silence fills the room, the unnatural quiet echoing for almost a full minute. Who knew humans made so much noise by simply moving and breathing?
Because vampires are absolutely silent.
It’s unnerving to be the focus of so many unblinking stares.
Then a couple of the vampires burst out into full belly laughs. The amusement isn’t shared by all. A few whisper amongst themselves, others don’t react at all, but three of them look at me like I’m a prize to be taken…Julius one of them.
One of the old dickasauruses even goes so far as to lick his fangs at the prospect, and fuck if my lady bits don’t shrivel up at the thought of one of them touching me.
Stanton and Milo edge closer, watching the vampires just as closely, while Tobias and Castle puff up in pride at being publicly claimed. Castle rests a possessive hand on my shoulder, but Tobias is a cheeky fucker and boldly kisses me.
I can’t help but smile at each of them.
“That’s impossible,” the outraged douche in the wig protests, pounding on the table to emphasize his point. I’m not sure if he’s talking about my mates or my dhampyr status or both.
The powder from his caked face flakes to the table, and I swear I can see black veins pulsing under his skin. Bile burns the back of my throat. The dude is just nasty and long past his expiration date.
Unable to resist taunting him, I raise a single brow in his direction. “Why would I lie when it’s so easily proved? How else did you think a simple girl, alone and just awakened, could take down a whole vampire house?”
He sputters, then his venomous gaze lands on Stanton, and he gives a moue of disgust. “You obviously had help.”
It’s my turn to snort at the jackass, and I wave a negligible hand toward Stanton. “Please…like I needed help. No offense, darling.” I lean up and kiss his cheek.
He ignores everyone else in the room and smiles down at me. “None taken, myreina.”
The possessive tone in his voice makes me shiver, and it’s only when Milo clears his throat that I remember the threat around us. I turn back toward the vampires and push home my point. “Besides, Dafoe and his minions were gone for weeks before you sent Stanton and his team to investigate.”
Two more vampires open their mouths to question me when Julius slowly pushes to his feet, his strident voice cutting through the bickering. “Enough. I know everyone wants answers, but may I remind you that her claim is easy enough to prove.”
Something in his voice sets my teeth on edge.
