by Ginna Moran
“What happened?” Everett asks. He stands behind me, being the only one I see.
“The traitor got to them.” Bronx keeps his voice even. “I need you to examine the bodies.”
“What the hell?” My voice cuts through the air.
“Mikkalo, out!”
I don’t give Mikkalo a chance to relocate me. I shove against him with all my strength. Bronx must expect me to fight, because he catches me before I hit the ground and throws me over his shoulder. I jerk my neck up and catch sight of what they’re trying to hide from me.
Motherfuckinghell.
“Gah-gah-gah.” The strange guttural sound echoes through the air.
“One’s alive. Quick, Ev,” Jameson calls.
Bronx gives up on trying to protect me and carries me with him toward the collection of bodies.
“Gah-gah-gah.”
“You,” Everett says, pointing to an unfamiliar vampire. “Give her blood now.”
“Wen. Wen.” Another voice sounds out.
“Gah-wen. Help.”
“Shit, they’re all alive,” Jameson says.
“Did you not check their pulses?” Annoyance laces Everett’s voice.
Bronx clears his throat. “I didn’t think the traitor would be stupid enough not to assure their deaths.” He sets me on my feet, keeping me in place so that I can’t get another look.
Mikkalo pulls me back to him. “Good thing. Stupid was exactly what we needed to get this piece of shit.”
“Gah-gah-gah. Wen-wen-wen.”
I twist in Mikkalo’s arms to peer at the people bleeding on the floor. A man stretches his arm out to point at me. He opens and closes his mouth, trying to spit the words out. I drag Mikkalo with me, moving closer. He whispers something too low for me to understand. My guys don’t catch it either.
“Don’t get too close, Gwen,” Bronx warns.
I crouch down and study the man’s mouth.
“Him,” the man mouths.
“Him?” I ask.
A loud pop sounds through the air, startling me.
I drop to the floor.
Chapter 12
Revelation
“GWEN. GWEN.” EVERETT TOUCHES MY back.
I scream, staring into the blank eyes of the man with a bullet hole in the middle of his forehead. Hands lock around me, and I flail as Everett picks me up and relocates me. I hit my back to the hallway wall and heave a breath.
“Kiss me,” Everett whispers against my lips.
“Wh-what?” My voice quivers.
“Please.”
A breath trembles on my lips as I lean in and caress my mouth to Everett’s. He tightens his hold on me, kissing me deeper until I stop shaking. Teasing my dhampir side proves to be a sure thing to either drive me wild or distract me. I feel if as long as I stay close to Everett, sharing his breath, that none of this bullshit is actually happening.
“Take her to the study,” Bronx orders. “All of you stay with her. Do not separate. I’ll handle this and meet you there.”
Again, I don’t have the chance to brace for my relocation. I steel myself, refusing to make a sound. Everett rushes me through the house with Mikkalo in front of us and Jameson behind. A few voices whisper through the air, but my guys ignore them.
“What a delectable treat,” a masculine voice says, drawing my attention to the suddenly quiet room we stop in. “Is this the infamous Blood Match to Zaire?”
“Yes,” Mikkalo says, speaking up.
The man smiles at me, keeping his fangs in check. “May I greet her?”
“Of course you may,” I say, speaking for myself. “Mikkalo is not my keeper, and I’m sure he won’t tell Zaire as long as you’re not an asshole to me or ask for a sample of my blood.”
“Don’t touch her either,” Jameson says, straightening his back to stand tall.
The man nods and offers me a low bow. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Royale. I’m Carlsbad of the Cortez Coven and head of Onyx Canyon. Have you ever been?”
I shake my head.
“Consider this an invitation for you and Zaire. We’d love to have you.” Carlsbad offers me another dazzling smile that lights up his honey-brown eyes.
“Thank you,” I say, remaining expressionless. I know better than to act more than pleasant. From my experience with vampires, they can be major flirts, and that’s the last thing I want.
“Why don’t you allow me to introduce you to the rest of my coven?” Carlsbad asks.
I turn my attention to Mikkalo, and he subtly shakes his head. Without looking at Carlsbad, I say, “No, thank you. I’m not here to socialize without my Blood Match.”
“Then why are you here, covered in tantalizing blood, if I might add.” Carlsbad’s eyes flash silver.
A hulking form materializes in front of me, and Bronx whacks Carlsbad on the back. He doesn’t growl like I expect but instead, Bronx shakes the man’s hand. A few other vampires, three men and a woman, stand to join Carlsbad.
One of the men looks to me, and I recognize him. Fear prickles through me at seeing Brentwood. He and Corona had started a blood feud between each other because of Silas. I know Corona was responsible for having to return his female donors back to him after they ran after Silas, but I never asked how it went. Obviously, they’re both alive.
“Darling, Gwen,” Brentwood says to me. “It’s so nice to see you again. You look ravishing.”
“And you should stop looking at me like I might be interested in being your personal donor.” The words come out before I have a chance to think them through. I’ve been around my guys so much that it takes a lot of work for me to realize that these city leaders might take offense to my rebel mouth.
Brentwood shrugs without comment. He shifts his gaze to look behind me, and a shiver trails down my back. My fear instincts blare like crazy, and I automatically reach for Mikkalo and Everett’s hands since they’re standing the closest to me. I don’t have to turn around to know that Corona hovers in the doorway. I close my eyes and concentrate on my breathing to stop myself from spinning to glower.
“Thank you for your patience this evening. I have arranged a feast in the dining hall to occupy your covens during our meeting,” Corona says.
The only woman in the room apart from me raises her perfectly arched brows. “And why can’t we join them and discuss matters over lunch?”
Bronx clears his throat. “Due to the nature of our gathering, and for the safety of our cities, I must insist on privacy. If you choose to share information with those closest to you, Brea, I must ask that you wait until returning home.”
“Shouldn’t Zaire be here?” Brea asks.
“Yes, he should. But unfortunately, he’s not. As acting region head, it is my duty to prepare you all for a possible war brewing in our region.” Bronx flicks his gaze to me. “I also have an announcement that you should hear first.”
“What about the Crescent and Grey Covens? Ronan and Irvine would never miss a gathering,” Carlsbad says.
“I will get to that. Now, if we may, please take a seat.” Bronx strolls toward the desk and perches on top, sitting higher than the others who return to their seats.
Mikkalo and Everett guide me to a leather couch in the corner while Jameson joins Bronx. Corona closes the door to his study, choosing to remain standing with his back against the wood. Thankfully, he pretends like I’m not here. If only the other city heads would.
“What of the donor?” another man asks. “You cannot possibly trust her with our region’s business. It’s far too easy to break into her mind if she ever goes unaccompanied.”
“Gwen doesn’t,” Everett says. “Ever.”
“I still don’t think—”
“Enough, Vernon!” Bronx’s booming voice freezes everyone in place. “We don’t have a lot of time. The longer you’re away from your cities, the more at risk our region is.”
Vernon growls. “Excuse me if I take our laws seriously.”
Bronx launches at the
vampire, dragging him off his feet. He slams his back into the wall. Vernon snarls, trying to snap his teeth, but Bronx is far too strong for the guy. I stare in awe, watching Bronx’s muscles flex, his air of authority so palpable that it steals my breath in a good way. I always knew my guys would do their best to assure my safety but damn. Seeing Bronx in action turns me the hell on.
Everett digs his fingers into my leg, drawing my attention to him. “You like that?” he whispers too quietly for anyone else to see.
I blush like crazy and shrug.
He chuckles and pretends to wipe drool from my mouth. I bump my shoulder to his, smiling. And then I realize that none of the other vampires watch Bronx and Vernon. All their attention focuses on me.
“Ignore them,” Everett says. “They’re jealous that you’ve chosen me to show attention to.”
I flick his shoulder. “You love it.”
He wags his eyebrows without comment.
“If you question my authority again, you will lose Silver Rock,” Bronx snaps. I realize that Everett distracted me enough that I missed what Bronx said before his threat. “It is more important than ever that all our cities have a strong alliance, but especially to the Royale Coven if you want our region to remain intact.”
“What are you saying?” the last man asks.
“We’re under attack, Arvin. Ronan Crescent is deceased. Irvine Grey, along with the rest of Twilight Peak, was also annihilated. Seventy-five percent of the Anderson Coven gone. And there will be more if we do not prepare. There are traitors in our midst—vampires and humans.”
“Then where is Zaire? I demand he join us!” Brea says, her voice turning shrill. “He is our region head. He needs to get Donor Life Corp involved.”
Bronx closes his eyes and scrubs his face with his hands. He doesn’t respond to her right away, collecting his thoughts. Without having to ask him, I know this is it. This is the moment that he will announce his brother’s demise.
“Zaire cannot join us,” Bronx says, darting his gaze to us.
Mikkalo tugs me off the couch and pulls me past the group of vampires to take his position at Bronx’s side. Everett rests his hands on my shoulders, and I glance around at the various expressions crossing the faces of all the cities’ heads as they realize the extent of Bronx’s admission and wait for him to confirm their suspicions.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the leader of the Royale Coven lost his life in battle.” Bronx remains expressionless.
Inching my way closer, I touch my hand to his as he rests it behind his back. He squeezes my fingers, his body rigid as the announcement sinks in.
“As first in line, I’ve stepped up as head. I must ask that the rest of you support the shift in power. I plan to announce my run for the free board seat in less than a week,” Bronx continues. “If you do not back me, I can’t promise things will end well for our region.”
“As leader of the Anderson Coven, I support the power shift to Bronx Royale,” Corona says.
Bronx turns his gaze to Corona. “Thank you, Mr. Anderson. To show my appreciation, I’d also like to formally announce the union of our covens.”
“What?” My. Damn. Mouth.
I drop my hand from Bronx’s and take an automatic step away from him. Everett tightens his hold on me, stopping me from trying to flee. Hurt and anger storm through me, my whirlwind of emotions threatening to send me into an uncontrollable rage. I knew that Bronx humored the idea of joining their two covens, but I thought it was a joke or a way to keep Corona in line. I’m so not cool with this bullshit.
“It would be an honor to blend bloodlines,” Corona says, ignoring my reaction.
Everyone does.
The small group of people applauds, and Brentwood stands up. “You also have my support, Mr. Royale. I look forward to seeing the strengthening of our region while putting a stop to the rise of our enemies.”
Bronx nods stiffly. “Thank you. I’d also like to reassign the Crescent and Grey areas. For those of you who show support, I’ll divide the population among you.”
“And if we don’t?” Vernon says, scowling.
“You may stand against me in front of Donor Life Corp,” Bronx says simply. “But mind you, it will not go over well.”
“I also offer my support,” Vernon says, surprising me.
“As do I,” the remaining city leaders say.
They all stand up and bow deeply to Bronx. I ease back, pushing Everett with me. Their sudden closeness sets me off even more. With Bronx’s announcements, I don’t even want to be here.
“What of Zaire’s Blood Match?” Brentwood asks, turning his attention to me. “Perhaps you’ll consider a generous offer to take her from your household.”
Bronx growls. “Absolutely not.”
“Are you sure?” Brea asks.
Baring his teeth, Bronx says, “Enough. Gwen is mine.”
***
I pace circles in our suite in my bra and underwear. There is no way I’m putting on another white dress. As long as I stay like this, no one will try to drag my ass out of here to supposedly celebrate. The last thing I want to do is celebrate. I’m pissed off. Beyond pissed off. I’m about to turn into a raging bitch, and no one will be able to stop me.
A tap sounds on the door.
“The only person you better send in here is Corona,” I snap. “Because I’m in a terrible mood and don’t want to risk ripping your heart out.”
“How about we bone or something? That always makes me feel better,” Jameson says through a crack in the door.
“Seriously, Jamie?” I ask, stopping to glare at the door.
He risks entering the room and stops in his tracks. Inhaling a breath, he drinks in the sight of me, staring at my glittery heels to the sheer white, sexy bra and thong I wear. My bloody dress rests in a pile on the floor.
“I’m so fucking serious now that I see you.” Jameson shrugs out of his suit jacket and sets it on the dresser. “Because, damn. Gigi, you’re so hot.”
I purse my lips.
His tie comes off next. “Bronx wants us present in the dining room, but I don’t give a shit now. I’m going to ravish you.” Closing the space, he swings the tie over my head to pull me against him.
Gripping his dress shirt, I rip a couple of buttons free to expose his chest. “Is that what you think?”
“Mmmhmm.”
I snap my teeth at him. “I could hurt you.”
He snatches my hands and pulls them over my head. I don’t have a chance to react as he ties his tie around my wrists, restraining me. “I’ll assure you don’t.”
The suite door suddenly swings open, and Everett enters the room. He closes the door behind him and hesitates, seeing the two of us. A look of desire crosses Everett’s face, sending my heart racing like crazy.
“Gwen’s a little tied up. Tell Bronx she doesn’t want to join him,” Jameson says.
Everett licks his lips. “Bronx said I can’t return without her.”
I scowl. “Why? Because I’m his girl now?”
Jerking my arms, I manage to rip the tie from my wrists. I spin on my heels and stroll to the bed. I flop on it, burying my face into the pillows. A solid body lands on top of me. Jameson shifts my hair and kisses my shoulder.
“You’re not only his girl, Gigi,” he murmurs. “If you were only his girl, there’s no fucking way I’d ever do this.”
Jameson glides his tongue over my neck and kisses a trail to my spine. I sink harder into the bed under his weight, enjoying the sensation of his mouth on my skin. The bed shifts as Everett joins us. He laces his fingers through mine, kissing each of my fingers, and works his way down to my wrist.
“I hope you know that Bronx only said that to make a point. You’re very much all of ours,” Everett says.
“Still. It pissed me off,” I say, trying not to raise my voice in annoyance.
Jameson shifts lower, spreading my legs. “And we’ll help hold him down while you kick him. You did wa
rn him of the consequences, even if he was doing it for show.” His fangs graze my thong, but he continues past to kiss my ass cheek.
“What about the other thing? Was he joking about that too?” I ask, squirming the lower Jameson’s mouth goes.
“What other thing?” Everett asks, hooking his hand to my leg to roll me over onto my back. He cradles my head on his lap and plays with my hair.
Jameson rests his elbows on both sides of my legs, staying propped up to look at me. He doesn’t say anything and stops his quest to memorize my body with his lips. I sling my arm over my eyes to cover my face. I tense with my annoyance.
“Seriously? I know you’re not that oblivious.” Anger sharpens my voice. I can’t even bring myself to look at either of them.
A knock sounds on the door, and Mikkalo enters without waiting for a response. He rubs his lips together, staring at Jameson between my legs, and Everett combing his fingers through my hair.
“You were supposed to be dressed,” Mikkalo says, keeping his gaze locked onto me. “Everyone’s waiting.”
“I’m not going,” I say.
“But Gwen, it’s important.” Mikkalo closes the space and sits on the bed. “We need to be there as a coven, and we can’t leave you here.”
“Bronx has Corona, doesn’t he?” I immediately regret my comment.
Shocked silence greets me as the three of them gape at me. How the hell are they even surprised?
Groaning, I lift my leg over Jameson and roll onto my side. “What?”
“You’re angry,” Jameson says. It’s not a question.
“Of course I’m fucking angry!” I sit up. “Did you guys know?”
Their silence speaks volumes. They did, and they kept it from me. I know if I don’t get up and do something, I might blow up even more. I’m sure they might’ve had their reasons, but right now, I don’t want to hear them. I don’t want to think about any of this anymore.
I get off the bed and stride to the wardrobe. I shrug into another damn white dress and glance at my reflection. My eyes flash silver at me, and I inhale a few deep breaths, trying to get my shit together.
Nothing works. I’m losing control.