by Ginna Moran
“Fix you?” Everett asks, confusion lining his brows.
I press my fingers into my temples, wishing with everything in me that I knew what the hell Laredo did. Losing Kyler messed me up. It was easy to not dwell on him when I was dwelling on my hunger, on being imprisoned by Corona, but now I can’t stop it. It’s hard to process. I don’t want to feel like I do, but I don’t like the strange feeling of my past being locked from me even worse. “Something’s wrong with my head.”
Everett frowns and looks to his brothers. He rubs his scruffy face, a dozen thoughts consuming his handsome features.
“You can do that, right?” I ask, hooking my fingers around his neck to get him to look at me again.
“I can try, but Gwen, you should—”
I press my lips to his to cut him off. He’s not the only one who can silence an argument. “Please, Everett. Just try to help me.”
Everett releases a small breath and turns to Bronx. “What do you want me to do? We never discussed the possibility of her giving us permission to open her mind.” That’s what his look to his brothers was for. I know that Bronx made it clear that under no circumstance were they ever to manipulate my mind. Not that they would. Except now. It’s the first time I’ve asked.
Bronx’s jaw tightens, his dark eyes roving over my face without looking at me directly. Without him having to say anything, I can tell he might have a problem with it. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
I huff and jerk from Everett to glare at Bronx straight on. “This isn’t your decision. It shouldn’t be anyone’s decision except mine and Everett’s, because I’m asking him to do this.” Shifting, I turn back to Everett and puff air through my lips. “I trust you, Everett. Please, please do this for me.”
Bronx releases a soft growl at me. “But Gwen.”
I hold my hand up. “No. I want this. I want Everett to open my mind. I think it might be the only way I can deal with this.”
“It could change things...” Bronx is worried how it’ll affect us. But that is the last thing I’m worried about.
“Not what we have,” I say, my voice sounding more confident.
Bronx’s eyes soften. “Are you absolutely sure?”
Everett squeezes my hand. “There’s no going back once it’s done. I will not take a part of you away.”
Tightening my mouth, I hesitate to respond. Am I sure? No, not really. But I need this. If what they say is true, then I want to know to what extent. What exactly did Grayson have Laredo do to me? What if it’s far worse than I can imagine?
“Yes, I’m sure,” I finally say.
Bronx looks at Everett. “All right, Ev. Give our girl what she wants.”
***
“So, your brothers aren’t going to join us?” I ask, resting my back on the pillows Everett propped against the headboard so that I could eat the dinner Jameson made for me in bed.
“They can if you want them to.” Everett removes my empty plate and sets it on the nightstand. He scoots in front of me, crisscrossing his legs to face me. “I understand if you’re nervous to do this alone. This can’t be easy for you.”
I lean forward and take his hands, twining our fingers together. “I’m good. I trust you. I just thought they’d want to be here.”
“I don’t know if you realize this, but you’re giving everyone a bad case of feelings.” He moves a bit closer, choosing to open his legs for me to sit between and then adjusts my legs to rest over his. “They’re afraid of not only how you’ll take this but also how they’ll take it. This isn’t exactly something they can strategize to get through until we know for sure what we’re dealing with.”
I smirk. I can’t help it. “Oh, no. Feelings. How awful.”
He chuckles. “Jameson is especially a mess.”
“And Bronx hates surprises,” I say.
He leans into me. “Not as much as Mikkalo.”
“What about you, Everett? Am I putting you in a terrible position? If you’re uncomfortable with doing this...I don’t want you to feel like I’m forcing you.” I fiddle with the sheets, messed up from the little bit of sleep I got while we waited for the blood I drank to wear off.
Everett decides to close the space completely, pulling me so close that I can wrap my legs around him. He runs his fingers over my cheek and tucks my hair behind my ear. “Nothing with you is uncomfortable to me. I’m confident in my ability to care for you on every level, even if you think I’m somehow only attracted to you because of what you are.”
I crinkle my nose. “I’m sorry I said that. I just...I sometimes wonder. I don’t know any other dhampirs. There was a vampire at Corona’s, and he made it so easy for me to attack him.”
“The guy you bit?” he asks, smirking.
I scrunch my face more, closing my eyes at the thought. “Desperate times. I did not enjoy it.”
He chuckles. “We were proud as hell watching that, though Jameson might be a little jealous.”
“He would be,” I say, meeting his gaze.
“And not because of what you are.”
I suck in my top lip to stop from frowning. “If you say so.”
“I know so. Even if your being a dhampir might’ve ignited our attraction to you—which I’m certain would have happened regardless—it doesn’t change the fact that you’re amazing. You’re quite lovable, Gwen.”
“Are you sure it’s not because I smell delicious to you?” I tease.
Everett releases a soft hum. “You forgot taste. Do you know how hard it is for me to resist not kissing you?”
“What about touching?”
“Gwen,” he murmurs. “I’ve missed you. So much. I’ve never been so...I wanted so badly to destroy the Anderson Coven. It kills me that Bronx won’t allow us.”
“He has his reasons,” I say. Bronx hasn’t said as much, but I know he didn’t wage a war because the Royale Region already faces problems with the death of Zaire. I can’t imagine the board will take kindly knowing that my guys acted without authority. I think Corona knew that too and that’s why he risked it.
“I know, it’s just... Can I kiss you?” Everett cups my face, capturing my gaze, his intensity hot enough to awaken my body as I sit so closely to him.
I answer him by closing the space and brushing my lips to his, jumping head first into the desire that crashes over me at the memory of being with him. Everett devours my affection, slipping his tongue into my mouth, allowing me to taste the sweetness of his deep kiss. His hands travel to my waist, and he plays with the hem of my shirt, twisting it to tighten against me.
I graze my fingers down his chest, touching his tight muscles through his shirt. I tug it over his head and break my mouth from his to draw my tongue down his neck until I reach his shoulder.
“We should stop,” he whispers. “I don’t want you to risk biting me and consuming my blood just yet.”
I suck his skin just hard enough to leave a mark. “Okay, but I won’t bite you.”
“Gwen.” He groans softly, still playing with my shirt. “I want you so badly. You’re all I can think about.”
“You’re all I want to think about.” I push him back to straddle him, my body wanting nothing more than to experience everything that is Everett all over again. “The mind thing can wait a bit longer.”
“Are you sure?” he asks.
I nod, bending down to kiss him. “Mmmhmm.”
He drags my shirt over my head, leaning up to kiss along the cup of my bra while unclasping it. His tongue flicks across my nipples, tracing around them, and I grind against him. Even through his pants, I can feel the length of his erection. It teases me, setting me off in a desperate way that has me rushing to unfasten his jeans.
Everett sucks my nipple into his mouth just hard enough to send tingles through me, and I clutch onto his head, panting and shifting, my body begging me to hurry up already. I reach between us and slide his boner from his jeans, tightening my fingers around it to feel him flex in my hand. He releases
a deep moan, his fingers digging into my back as he finds my mouth again.
Trailing his fingers down the length of my body, he unbuttons my pants and slides his hand between my legs, moaning again as he feels exactly what he does to me. I gasp at the amazing pressure of his fingers tracing slowly over my clit as he explores my body.
Everett kisses my jaw, his fangs grazing across my skin, just teasing me and sending goosebumps over my body. I arch up and allow him to tug my pants down more until he lifts my legs to undress me completely. I do the same for him and kneel between his legs to take a moment to drink in his naked body. His eyes flash silver with desire, and he reaches for my hand to pull me back against him.
He kisses me deeper, and I purposely graze my tongue to his fang to draw a little bit of my blood to tease him with. His fingers tighten on my hips as he guides my body to his, slipping inside me while I sit on top.
I moan so loud at the sensation of him inside me. I’ve never been on top before, and just feeling every inch of him leaves my body buzzing. Everett hooks his fingers to my ass, helping me rock against him until I get the hang of what he likes and move on my own, picking up speed, my breath gasping through our motions.
Leaning down, I meet my mouth to his and kiss him again. He trails his hand over my pelvis and puts a bit of pressure on my clit, working me over as I roll my body against his, enjoying the pleasure cascading over me.
Everett whispers my name and reminds me how beautiful he thinks I am, how good I feel, how happy I make him. I can’t stop from smiling, the look in his eyes speaking volumes without him having to say anything more.
I savor his closeness, the sweet scent of his skin, his fervent yet gentle touch. My emotions run wild as the intensity between us builds and builds until I feel like I’m going to explode at any second.
I inhale a deep breath, my whole body igniting with the best sensation ever. I throw myself closer to Everett, and he moans again in my ear, kissing my shoulder and moving my body for me when I slow. My body tingles everywhere with bliss, my heart crashing against his. He kisses me passionately, rolling me over until I hit my back to the pillows. He thrusts deeper inside me, propping himself up on one hand while the other keeps me close to him, our chests touching, our hearts beating wildly as they thump against each other.
Everett releases a deep, throaty hum that tickles my skin as he cums and slows down and puts more weight on me. Tilting his head, he meets me for another kiss, just light and sweet. He pants for a moment, smiling while hugging me close like he can’t find the will to pull away.
“I can’t ever get enough of you,” he murmurs, brushing the strands of messy hair from my face. “You’re just so perfect to me. I hope you know that, Gwen.”
I smile. “You’re perfect to me too. I love spending time with you.”
“I hope you always feel that way.”
Everett slides off me and pulls me close, hugging his arms around me. We lay together, our legs entwined, our hearts finally slowing down. A dozen thoughts cross my mind as I look at him, his gaze never leaving mine.
If it wasn’t for the sudden growl of my stomach, I’m sure Everett would never let me go until it was my time with Bronx. Heat warms my face at another rumble, making him chuckle. He touches his cool finger to my cheek, smiling wider.
“I don’t know if you realize this, but it’s such a turn on to know that you have the same deep-seated hunger for me that I do for you,” he says. “I know you think being a dhampir makes you a predator to me as a vampire, but I’m nearly certain it’s neither for us. I wouldn’t even think of hunting or preying on you. I want nothing more than to just take care of you. It feels like we were made for each other.”
His words dig into me as I think about them, about the possibility that we can survive off each other. “Fate.” This isn’t the first time I’ve thought such a thing, that it was my destiny to find a coven that holds me as their equal. That doesn’t freak out for what I am and instead appreciates me. It’s what cements my thoughts in knowing that my family was wrong about vampires.
“Fate only led you to us, Gwen. You chose to stay,” he says.
“How could I resist your claim?” I tease. “It never felt right before I met you guys.”
“Maybe because your blood sources weren’t right for you,” he says. “We don’t claim you as a possession, Gwen. We claim you as our girl, someone we want as our mate, and someone we can see a future with. I don’t know exactly what Laredo’s motives were, but with how you speak of him, you don’t sound like you were on the same page with him.”
“I know he desired me,” I say.
“I think it was more than that. The more I think about your situation and your brothers, how things went down...it doesn’t really add up. You said that you were trying to save some humans from an outcast, but we don’t have outcasts in Crimson Vista. The vampire wouldn’t have run from you either.”
“Most outcasts ran from us,” I say, turning more to face him.
He twists his lips to the side. “Which doesn’t make sense. Outcasts didn’t even run from Zaire.”
I swallow, reaching out to run my finger over his jaw. “Well, why don’t we try to make sense of it now? I don’t know how much longer I can resist biting you.”
He smirks, though his eyes don’t light up. “Are you sure you really want me to do this? It can be overwhelming, and it can take your mind a bit of time to adjust.”
I think about his words, wondering if it’s worth it. I mean, I’m okay now. But what if something changes? I can’t help thinking about the elder Blood Rebel who claimed to be looking for me before he deemed me a traitor. What if Bronx had been right all along and that Laredo had been using my family? What if I’m not who Everett thinks I am? What if he opens my mind, and I turn out to be just like my brothers?
“Gwen?” Everett asks softly. “We don’t have to do this now. If you have even an ounce of doubt, it might be better to wait.”
I shake my head. “I need to do this. If I don’t, I won’t. It’s probably better for everyone. I mean, what if Laredo messed with my head so much that I’m not so perfect to you?”
He puffs out his bottom lip with a breath. “Gwen.”
“It’s still early enough that you guys can salvage your region and not have to worry about what my life means for your coven,” I add.
“I’ve never worried about what your life means for our coven.” He holds my hands. “It’s the one thing I don’t worry about.”
Our coven. He says it like I’m included, and I can’t stop my heart from racing. “You sure?”
“Yes.” He doesn’t hesitate or think about his response at all, just says the words like it’s the truth. I hope it is.
I kiss him. “Okay. Let’s get this over with then. I’m hoping you’re right.”
“I am.”
“If you’re not, all that I ask is that you let me go. Please don’t cage me.” The words come out softly, the thought hard even to admit.
His eyes narrow with his frown. “I’m not agreeing to either of those. If you change, we’ll work through it. Together. I’m not giving up so easily.”
“Why not?”
He releases a soft sigh. “I’m just not. Now, please. Look at me and don’t look away.”
I slowly draw my gaze to his, letting him capture me in his silver stare. My body relaxes next to him, and my heart remains even. The sensation of him locking me with his gaze is nothing like the moment I experienced before. I’m neither scared nor threatened or feel like I’m imprisoned in my body. If anything, I feel closer to him. His thoughts clear on his face. He feels the connection too.
“Gwen, I want you to remember anything Laredo made you forget,” he says, his voice even. “Remember anything that had been taken away from you.”
I startle at the pain bursting behind my eyes. It’s enough to make Everett break his gaze.
Covering my eyes, I hold my head in my hands, the throbbing pain growing worse. My e
yes leak with unbidden tears, the edges of my vision darkening.
“Fuck,” I whisper.
“What’s wrong? Tell me what you feel,” Everett says, adjusting me.
“I—” My words turn into a screech, my head pounding so hard it feels like it’ll explode at any second.
“Gwen!” Everett calls. “Gwen, look at me.”
But I can’t.
I black out.
Chapter 4
Previous Blood Source
“HOW COULD YOU DO THIS to me, Gwen?” Laredo says, dragging Nathaniel’s body off me before I can even scream. Leaning in, he captures me in his silver gaze, stirring terror inside me. “Shhh. We don’t want your brothers to hear now, do we? Keep your voice low.”
I blink my eyes, shaking away the strange feeling washing over me to suppress my oncoming yells. “You killed him.” It’s all I can manage to whisper.
“Of course I killed him. He should’ve been nowhere near you,” he says with a growl. “Don’t you know how dangerous it is for you to leave yourself so vulnerable with an elder’s son? I will not allow your fate to fall into the hands of a kid who can turn against you for no other reason than jealousy. The rebels do not see you as I do. No one does.”
“Jealousy? It wasn’t like that. We weren’t in love or anything,” I say, pulling the blankets around me. My eyes water like crazy, and I try my best not to let my tears fall. “I know better than anyone about my place. My dad was always clear about how the rebels viewed me. Why do you think he kept me away?”
Laredo sighs and swipes his finger under my eye. His eyes flash silver again. “Don’t cry. He wasn’t worth your tears.”
And like that, my eyes dry.
“You will not feel sad, either. You were just having fun with him.”
Laredo breaks my stare, and I scrunch my nose and backhand him in the shoulder. “You asshole. We were just having fun. Porter is going to stake you for this, you know.”
Narrowing his eyes, he says, “Highly doubt it. I thought he was hurting you. Grayson said you were a virgin, and I assumed...you had better taste. You know I’d be happy to satiate your every need.”
