As he carried her to her Jetta that he’d parked along the side street, she whispered, “You know, I think I’m getting the better part of that deal.”
He helped her into the leather passenger seat, buckled her in. “Then you don’t have any idea just how good you are.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
“Try not to fear where our society is headed. Tolerance comes first. Acceptance takes longer.”
—Crimson Chronicle Archives, August 2010
Slade and Dylan took their time getting back to the haven. Truth be told, Dylan wouldn’t have cared if he took her somewhere entirely different and they never made it back at all. He could’ve booked them a one-way ticket to the most isolated island on the planet and she wouldn’t have cared in the least. Baggage check? No thank you. First class? Not necessary. Slade at her side, holding her close, staring at her with those magical onyx eyes? Abso-freakin-lutely.
She needed him like a martyr needed a cause. It was then Dylan realized that the vampires in the catacombs who died for their unwavering passion during the Crimson Bay Massacre were no different than she was at this very moment.
Nothing else mattered other than the passion stirring in her middle and doing what she knew to be right.
The way her heart pounded when she looked in Slade’s eyes was most definitely right.
When they finally entered through the back alley, hands intertwined and hearts in sync, Dylan was surprised to find the haven quiet as night. Even though Slade checked and double-checked the side alleys and buildings for therian movement before marching up to the warehouse door, Dylan couldn’t shake the feeling something was . . . off.
Slade led the way, pulling the back door open, creeping down the hall with Dylan secured to his backside like a shadow. Faint sounds of drum beats and footsteps floated down the hallway. Was that music playing from the great room?
“Stay close,” he said, and tugged her closer.
If she pressed against him any harder, they would’ve been one. Actually, after going through with the Valcdana, that’s exactly what they were, she thought. Two separate oil and water parts, becoming one perfect, inseparable whole.
“I think they’re playing music,” she whispered. “And I don’t sense a therian anywhere.”
He nodded in agreement, but when they came to a fork he still searched far down the left hall before choosing the right. The hallways were empty. Not a single vampire in sight. The place was a ghost town.
But with each step closer to the great room, Dylan realized the building wasn’t void of life at all. Music and shouts grew louder. The occasional belt of laughter whipped through the air.
As they pushed through a curtain of fallen midnight- black swag, the great room came to life before their eyes. The entire khiss, pressed together in a crazy, fanatical mosh, celebrated a victory over the attacking therians. Overflowing chalices in their hands shot to the sky, their voices raised just as high.
Dylan and Slade stopped in their tracks, watching the party unfold before their eyes. Vampires toasted and delighted, dancing and swinging around each other like the apocalypse itself had been overcome. Women returned to the great room refreshed and ready to party.
Crews had quickly cleared away casualties of battle, taken some to receive proper care, no doubt. Others were now stretching up on ladders, pinning swags back to their proper positions.
Dylan scanned the faces in the crowd and realized the last time she saw Ruan and Eve, Moses was dragging her away. She had to find them. Make sure they were all right.
As if reading her mind, Slade leaned close and whispered, “They’re fine. Ruan’s the one who hooked me up with the rifle and our Primus kept Eve safe in his chamber until the threat was over.”
“Our Primus? Slade, I think you’ve officially crossed to the dark side.” She smiled, feeling her spirit lift.
“I’ve never known what it was like to feel the deep respect of a family. I feel that when I look at my Uncle Hiram. If I could respect anyone, it’s him.”
She nodded. “Wait a minute, where the hell did Ruan get a rifle? He hasn’t been a khiss guard in years . . . since before he was assigned to protect me.”
“Let’s just say Erock will be a little disappointed when he opens up his arsenal.”
“You stole from your own cousin’s stash of ammunition?”
She could almost see the word cousin scrape against his mind like the quick swipe of a razor blade on rough skin.
“Well there’s something to chew over,” he said, connecting the dots between his family lines. “And I didn’t steal anything. Ruan borrowed from his boss’s cabinet. Besides, it was for the greater good. He’ll get over it.”
That reminded her. Tonight was the night she was supposed to be enlightened by Erock. Things were still going to get messy. The Primus would no doubt be waiting for her to address him . . . and the khiss.
She brushed her hands down her dress, trying to smooth out the hard lines creased by dried blood.
Two female vampires, smiles stretched ear to ear, waltzed toward them. When they saw the shamble of Dylan’s dress, their smiles dropped. They turned on their heels and scurried to the front stage.
“I think I need to change before I talk to the Primus. Would you mind giving me a minute?”
“No.” He put two strong hands on her shoulders and turned her toward the stage. “Look.”
As the crowd parted, the Primus’s dark figure appeared, talking to the two girls. They pointed right at her.
His hood lifted. Eyes blacker than the darkest abyss pleaded for her to come closer.
“Come on,” Slade said, grabbing her hand and leading her through the crowd. “No time like the present.”
Each khissmate they passed stopped to gawk at the two of them as they passed by. Yeah, she could imagine they looked affright. Slade’s therian marking could be seen through his shirt. Her prim and proper dress was smothered in someone else’s blood and her hair was a wild rat’s nest.
She didn’t look back. Just kept walking forward, chin held high, her eyes on the Primus at the other end of the room. She could sense his judgment before she arrived at his feet. Vampires had been removed from the khiss with a snap of his fingers for not presenting themselves to the utmost degree. Each of those was more presentable than she was at this moment. It wouldn’t be a stretch for her and Slade to be eradicated simply because they didn’t present themselves with proper dignity and respect.
Even though she was sure the Primus could clearly see Slade’s marking and he could be tossed to the streets for his blood alone, she had no desire to hide it. In fact, after all he’d done for her, she wanted to strip off his shirt and show it with pride.
When she reached the Primus’s tall, menacing form, she bowed low. Slade followed suit of his own accord.
“I’m sorry beyond words for offending you,” she said, eyes on the ground. “If you’ll allow me a few moments in my studio to change, I can become presentable and no longer offend the khiss you reign.”
His thick voice overruled the blaring music. “Look back at the khiss and see the insult you and Slade have caused.”
When she turned around, she was shocked beyond words. Right down to her designer heels.
Every vampire in the room was down on one knee, hand over their hearts, their heads turned down.
“We owe you all our gratitude and respect for what you’ve done for our khiss. Dylan, your tireless dedication to the species has been a prime example for others to follow. If each of us were as wed to a cause, we’d not have had the problems we had today.” The music died down at his words. Silence swamped the room until all she could hear was her own heartbeat. “Slade, there is much to be learned about your past—how a vampire and therian were able to create such an impossibly powerful offspring. We would be foolish to ignore the dangers your mixed heritage brings our society. . . .”
Not a peep sounded from the khiss.
The Primus continued on a hea
vy exhale, “Yet after what you’ve done tonight, we’d be even more foolish if we didn’t welcome you with open arms. It would honor me if you’d consider this your home.”
The khissmates clapped wildly.
Slade stood upright and wrapped an arm around Dylan’s shoulders. “If I may be so bold, my home is with Dylan. Where she goes, I go.”
As her heart squeezed tight, so did her hand in his.
“Then the decision is made. Slade, we could use someone with your background and experience on the Crimson Council. Diversity will become our strength with you on board. Would you further honor me by working alongside your khissmates to provide what is necessary for the greater good?”
For a second Dylan thought he might decline. He said nothing, just released her from his arms and bowed low. Then after what felt like an eternity stretched in silence he whispered, “The honor would be mine.”
The Primus reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick, gold-encrusted Crimson Council ring—one that matched his own along with every other chosen member of the Council. Its raised emblem of a black heart caught in barbed wire gleamed in the dim overhead lights. “Take this,” he said, placing the ring in Slade’s palm. “As a reminder of your pledge and duty. It is a constant reminder of the threat to our livelihood, and what we are fighting to save. Wear it proudly and you will be protected not only by the members of this khiss, but by the entire Council of Crimson Bay.”
“Thank you.” Eyeing the intricate design, Slade turned the ring over in his palm, then slipped it on the middle finger on his right hand. He balled his hand into a fist as if testing the feel or weight of the ring. “I won’t let you down.”
“That goes without saying. Now you must know the therians will rebuild quickly and come for us again. There shall be no delay in our course of action. Our monthly meeting starts at the conclusion of the celebration. Erock is already getting things in order. Our first order of business is finding where Savage has disappeared to. Therian squads everywhere will be scattering for leadership and Savage will unfortunately have more leverage than anyone’s aware of. Your intel would be invaluable in completing this first task.”
Slade nodded again.
“It’s settled,” he declared. “Erock, bring me an Induction drink. It’s time we do this the right way . . . in my presence.”
Taking the diamond-encrusted chalice in his large hands, the Primus stood before Slade, his chin held high. “Slade, both therian and vampire by blood, are you ready to take your rightful place among our khiss?”
Slade bowed low. “Yes.”
“What say you to our rules and privileges?”
He squeezed Dylan’s hand and didn’t let go. “I will honor and obey the Court. All I do and say reflect upon my brothers and sisters. My life is theirs to take at whim.”
Slade rose to meet his uncle eye to eye, and tipped the chalice back.
A proud smile waxed over the Primus’s face as he waved an arm at the band. “Let’s not waste anymore of this night on business!”
“Wait,” Dylan said. “Primus, there is another matter that’s been forgotten.” Dylan hated to bring it up. The thought alone was a thorn in her side. A fly in her perfect AB wine. “According to khiss law, I was set to go through the Valcdana with Erock tonight. But Slade is the one who’s enlightened me. I’ll not stand beside another . . .”
He smiled, revealing two of the longest fangs Dylan had ever seen. “No one’s going to ask you to. All we can do now is pray the scrolls are accurate. If you two will bear the child who will end the war, then our freedom is closer than we think. And that alone deserves the celebration at hand.”
Thank God. Not that she was ready to fulfill the prophecy by starting a family tomorrow or anything . . . but she also couldn’t ignore the excitement bubbling in her stomach when she thought of building a life with Slade. As she dreamed of the years stretched out before her, all Dylan could think about was that in each and every memory, Slade would be there.
The Primus stood between Dylan and Slade, wrapping an arm around their shoulders. “Khissmates, a new era has begun. The union of Slade and Dylan is the blessed one prophesized in the scrolls. Together they will bring peace to the vampires of Crimson Bay. Therians will no longer threaten our way of life. The future is bright . . . and tonight we celebrate the ones who’ve risen like the sun! To Slade and Dylan!”
“Slade and Dylan!” the khiss cheered.
Erock was standing silently by, his head bowed low. When he looked up, meeting Dylan’s eyes, she didn’t see the contempt and jealousy she expected. She saw gratitude and kindness. He nodded, a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.
Dylan smiled back, knowing everything worked out as it should have. He would be Primus when the time was right, but she wouldn’t be the Queen at his side. He’d eventually find another who would bloom under the umbrella of his protection. There were some flowers that bloomed in shade, weren’t there?
Music kicked up, drowning out voices of approval and squeals and hollers from the khiss. After a private talk with Erock, and a quick peck on Dylan’s cheek, the Primus disappeared to the back room, most likely to start on that business he claimed to want no part of tonight. In no time, Slade and Dylan were no longer the focus of the celebration. They were part of it, no more important than the whole.
Slade slunk an arm around her waist and nuzzled into her neck. “What do you say we head back to your studio and get you out of this gown.”
Nothing sounded sweeter. “Lead the way.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
“Happiness is the humming of your heart matching the humming of your fangs. . . .”
—Taken from Love Poems: The Bleeding Heart Collection
When they finally found a path through the crowd and came to her room, Dylan paused, hand to handle.
“Crazy to think this won’t be my room any longer,” she said. “ReVamp was always the place I felt most comfortable. Now that we’re together, there’ll be a room waiting for us on the other side of the compound. Suddenly I feel like I’ll miss this place.”
“We could live at ReVamp if you wanted.” He stated it simply. Like he was ordering cheese and crackers.
“I’m being serious, Slade.”
“So am I. We could clear out the second floor and make it into a big-ass penthouse just for us.” He met her eyes so she could see the idea lighting like fire. “In fact, getting a bigger place together doesn’t sound like such a bad idea. More room might be nice . . . maybe we could put up a chandelier to swing from. Oh, and a tub wider than your kitchen.” Growling, he nipped at the sensitive skin behind her ear. “Doesn’t that sound like fun? Now that I’m thinking of all the delicious possibilities, you better open this door before we give everyone a show in the hallway.”
As she walked into her room, she realized that through all the faces in the crowd she still hadn’t seen Ruan or Eve. The Primus hadn’t addressed the strength in Eve’s blood or the supply of the khiss, either . . . and there hadn’t been a single mention of ReVamp.
It was then she saw a full bottle of blood perched on the edge of her desk with a note taped to the lid.
She peeled off the note and read aloud:
Dylan, I’m sorry I can’t tell you this in person, but I know if you were to plead your case in front of me, I wouldn’t have the will to do what I know to be right. I can’t be a part of our khiss anymore. It’s been too long since I’ve walked my own path and made my own mistakes. I’ve realized there’s no time like the present to try and I can’t do that under the khiss’s watchful eye. Please don’t try to find us. Eve has given the last drops of blood she’ll ever donate into this bottle. It should be plenty to decode and duplicate for the khiss. That’s all she’ll give for the rest of her days on this earth. She’ll be no one’s permanent source. I’ll see to that. Tell Slade that he can keep the rifle. And if he treats you right I won’t have a reason to come back and kick his ass. As for you . . . you’ve taught me more ab
out life and love than you can imagine. You’ll forever have a place in my heart . . . but Eve has shown me the joy in living. And that’s what we plan to do. Live. And Love. I wish that for you. Ruan.
Dylan swallowed down the lump of tears stinging the back of her throat. He was right. She would’ve pleaded with him to stay, but not because she wanted to figure out what was unique about Eve’s blood . . . because it would’ve been nice to see him happy. Crazy in love.
Crazy, insanely, irrevocably in love like she was.
Slade spun her around, right into his arms. “Mighty nice of him to give his blessing. Not that I would’ve waited for it.”
“That’s what you got from the letter? That he gave us his blessing?”
He pressed a kiss to the swell of her breast. “Of course. He gave me the rifle, didn’t he? Between Assassins, that’s as intimate as it gets.” He moved lazily to the smooth heart in the center of her neck.
“Will you miss it?” she asked, letting her head drop back into his hand. “Will being here, like this, be enough for you?”
He licked a slow, unhurried line along her jaw. “I know this may not make sense to you now, but I’ve never felt more comfortable in my skin than I did as a vampire . . . with you. That right there says something to me. It says this is where I’m meant to be.” As his hands found their way to her breasts, he moaned. “Have I told you how much I love corsets?”
“No, you haven’t mentioned that.” Her heart caught fire. “Maybe I could design a ReVamp clothing line with bustiers as the feature.”
His chest rumbled in delight as he closed his mouth over hers.
And just like that, her worries fell to the floor with her gown.
Epilogue
Savage stroked the microfiber of the couch with increasing intensity. The cloth was so soft, so inviting.
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