AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What?” I snap as I pull it open only wide enough to glare at the bastard intruding on my first night with Scarlet.
It is fortunate that Aziel has lived long enough to learn patience beyond even the average immortal. More fortunate, in this moment, that he had certainly already assumed the reason for my hours-long disappearance. Aziel is generous with us, but not so much that he usually forgives undeserved aggression.
In the second where my Maker merely furrows his brow in response to my inappropriate tone, I force my jaw to unclench. “Apologies, Aziel,” I say, speaking quieter.
“Then we’re even,” he says. His voice is a low rumble and I know he is trying not to disturb the woman in the room behind me. “Something’s come up that requires your attention, Kyson. And considering the situation, it would be smart to bring your mate along.” He pauses and inclines his head. “Congratulations, by the way. I see we can start planning that ceremony.”
An unfamiliar warmth builds in my chest and suddenly I’m fighting a smile. It feels ill-timed, but I’ve never struggled so hard to hold a neutral expression. “Something that can’t wait until tomorrow? She should rest longer.”
Aziel narrows his eyes again. “I gave you most of the night. Pull yourselves together and get to my office.” He says nothing more before turning and disappearing down the hall.
I bite back a curse and close the door. It must be a real problem if he’s pushing that hard.
My gaze immediately returns to Scarlet, still sleeping peacefully where I left her. That warmth returns to my chest. She is beautiful, and I easily recall the taste of her skin beneath my lips and her luscious blood on my tongue, yet the desire I feel in this moment has only the subtlest of sexual undertones. I simply want her—her presence, her energy—more than any visceral thing.
I’m grateful Aziel insisted I bring her. I cannot imagine leaving her side tonight, and I suspect doing so even when the mating bond is not so fresh will be immensely difficult. A concern for another time.
“Scarlet, my love, it’s time to wake up,” I say gently as I rub my thumb along her cheekbone. Her brow pinches, but she doesn’t rouse. Of course, she has slept poorly in recent nights, so she’s more tired than she should be. The bonding exhaustion is extra deep. I press my lips to her forehead and grip her shoulder, speaking a bit louder. “Scarlet. Wake up for me, love.”
This time she groans and her eyes blink open. “Kyson…?”
I smile and drop a kiss to her lips. “I know you’re tired, Red. But it seems something’s come up. It’s time for you to meet the coven.” I have no doubt they will be there, if only watching. And as I thought, my words shoot adrenaline through her system.
She bolts upright, doing a poor job of holding the comforter over her chest, and gapes at me. “What? Now? Why?”
I catch myself glaring at the comforter, so I yank it away from her skin and toss it toward the foot of the bed. “Never hide yourself from me.”
“That’s what you’re worried about?” She tries to sound incredulous, but the flush that burns down her neck tells me as clearly as her scent that it’s only a false bravado.
I cup her cheek in one hand and run a thumb beneath her lip. “The Maker of the coven has summoned us, Scarlet. I need you to compose yourself. He is a reasonable man, but only to a point. And he would not have interrupted our night without cause. So, yes, now. I don’t yet know why.” I lean in and kiss her briefly, running my tongue over her lips. “Just remember, I am with you. You have nothing to fear.”
She blows out a breath as I retreat and pouts. “Then why am I kind of freaking out?”
I try for a grin and lift her dress in offering. “Stage fright.” As soon as she’s dressed again, I tuck her hand into mine and guide her from the room that will become ours in the coming days. She doesn’t know the way, hasn’t seen many of the halls, and I wish I could allow her time to simply wander. But Aziel was clear with his urgency.
Scarlet walks at my side, her head turning side to side with renewed curiosity. When we reach the main sitting room, an area I was permitted to show her earlier, she shuffles closer to me at the sight of unfamiliar men filling the space.
I try to push reassurance through our newly established bond. Learning to make the most of it will take time, but her scent calms a bit, so I feel reassured.
We all hear her gasp when she finally spots Elfde stretched out along the back of the sofa, watching Scarlet’s every move. Scarlet’s gaze lingers in the leopard’s direction for a moment and I sense no fear in her, so I take that as a good sign for their future introduction. Then we’re through the room and I tap once on Aziel’s door before pushing in, keeping Scarlet beside me still.
Scarlet immediately tenses again and my attention snaps past Aziel to the two vampires I do not know, by name, standing with their backs at the far wall. I recognize them only by face. They are the vampires who attacked my consort earlier in the evening.
My lip curls without conscious direction. “Aziel, what is this? These—”
“I’ve offered them shelter,” Aziel says, not bothering to stand from behind his desk. He only leans back in his chair. “On the condition that you and Scarlet can accept their heartfelt apologies.”
I wrench my glare from the unmoving vampires who have, up to this point, remained staring at the floor. “Why would I do that? Why would you?” It is unlike Aziel to take in strays.
“Because they are the last two survivors of our sister coven on the opposite side of the Black Forest,” Aziel replies.
Scarlet’s breath falters and her hand holds tighter to mine. I can feel a conflicting mix of concern and uncertainty building within her, as surely as she can feel my own unease.
“Jagters,” I say. It is not a question. Vampires are the apex predators of this world. But as with everything, nature has found a balance to keep even us in check. That balance is the Jagters, a rare breed of superhuman essentially evolved to fight against the vampire. They are every bit as mortal as a human, but nowhere near as weak or vulnerable.
Aziel nods. “You know the one.”
The growl rumbles out of me. “Liam.” I turn my attention back to the strangers in the room. “You still attacked my mate. Why should I forgive that?”
