Page 60 of Vampire Visions

“Look. It’s not rocket science.” Novak shook his head. “I thought she was hot when I first met her, lusted after her immediately. I felt the pull and knew exactly what it was. We sealed our bond, and I still have those feelings, but the insistent pulling in my chest has faded. Now it feels like a thin thread tethering us together, not a rope jerking us around.”

“Same,” I chimed in, not needing to add anything to Novak’s description.

Jack and Grim were paying close attention to the words passed between Novak and Vaughn. Jack licked his lips nervously as he peered over at Grim. The reaper dipped his head once in a silent answer to whatever Jack’s questioning gaze had meant.

“What draws you to her?” Jack’s softly spoken question caught my attention. It wasn’t directed at me, but I knew my answer immediately.

“Her passion,” I blurted. She was passionate about so many things, but I loved the fire and drive that her passion gave her.

“And what about the rest of you?” He glanced around the table, meeting five sets of eyes before lifting his brow. This was a test, and they would either pass or fail. There was no in between when it came to Jack protecting Sloane.

“I’m drawn to how impulsive she is,” Novak admitted with a shrug.

Briggs smiled and shook his head. “Her devotion.”

“Companionship,” Stone answered with a thoughtful expression.

Palmer had been tracing the lines of his left palm as he listened. “Her understandin’,” he whispered. “Intelligence, her view of the world. However ye want ta interpret that. It’s all in the same category for me.”

“I’m drawn to her power,” Vaughn confessed. “Not how powerful she is in terms of abilities. It’s her confidence, the respect she silently demands when she walks into a room. Her power over others.”

Jack nodded his head, accepting our answers as good enough. Grim scratched at his chin, still surveying us with keen eyes. “And how does she make you feel?” The reaper’s inquiry held the same note of hesitancy as Jack’s. They wanted all of us to be here with her for the right reasons.

Jack had grilled me when I’d first started dating Sloane so long ago, but his interrogation hadn’t been quite this meaningful. It had been more along the lines of what are your intentions with my sister? And less look deep into yourself kind of questions.

Briggs chuckled. “She makes me feel challenged. For the first time in my life, I want to better myself for me, and not change for someone else.”

Novak bobbed his head from side to side. “She makes me feel content, like I have everything I need right here, and there’s no reason to search for something that might be missing. But I also feel what Briggs is saying, too.”

“Secure,” Stone answered, not elaborating in the slightest.

Palmer sighed, sounding almost defeated. “Liberated,” he replied, looking away as soon as Novak’s eyes landed on him. The cold-shoulder treatment wasn’t overlooked by Stone either. The curious demon would be taking mental notes of all the exchanges he witnessed or had with Palmer now.

“She makes me feel,” Vaughn began, pausing to search for the right word, “Safe. I think that’s the best way to describe it.”

“Loved,” I told them, waggling my eyebrows. “I feel loved, even if she won’t say she loves me out loud.”

Novak grinned at me. “Even when she’s mad at you?”

“Especially when she’s mad at me.” I laughed. “At least she still has some sort of feelings for me.”

Jack furrowed his brows, rolling his lips in before he spoke. “What are you hiding from, Vaughn? Safety and power? Those are deep answers.”

“I’d rather not relive the memories right now.” Vaughn shook his head slowly, his eyes closed as he fought off his past. “Just… the royal court in the winter realm is oppressive. I really don’t look forward to going back, and I hope it’s no time soon.”

We knew some of Vaughn’s past, but not all of it. He’d told me bits and pieces a few years back, always being selective of the memories he’d share. Some of it I understood. The druid’s royal court was full of deception when I was younger, and I was positive that it still was.

My mother wasn’t like Vaughn’s, though. Mine was kind-hearted and fair, whereas his was hateful and vindictive. The druids prospered under my parents' rule. The winter fae that I’d come across were all terrified of their queen and fleeing her rule.

I was excited to take Sloane and the guys to my homeland. My father would be pissed that I hadn’t been to visit in the last few years, but he’d be happy to see me and meet everyone. I couldn’t imagine not going home soon, or what it was like to lack that familial connection.

25

Palmer

Sunday Evening

The guys had been talking about Sloane since she’d left earlier, but I couldn’t take the questions aimed at me anymore. I’d excused myself, telling them that I needed to finish finalizing the grades for my classes and I’d be back in a few minutes. Really, I just needed to think without interruption.