by Ginna Moran
“They knew of Gwen but not her personally,” Mikkalo says, coming closer to perch on the bed with the four of us.
“And they weren’t Blood Rebels,” Jameson adds.
“The one guy looked strangely familiar. He smelled it too,” I say.
“It’s possible that you still have repressed memories,” Everett says softly. “I told you it could take a bit of time to bring them all back to the surface.”
I squeeze his hand. “Is there anything you can do to help?”
His eyes flash silver. “I—I can’t.”
“What are you talking about?” Mikkalo says. “You can—”
Everett tightens his jaw. “I mean, just no. I’m not going to. One of you guys can. Last time was brutal. I can’t do it to Gwen again. You didn’t see what I saw.”
Mikkalo, Jameson, and Bronx all look to me. I press my lips together and hug Everett. He sinks against me, and I snuggle close until he pulls me onto his lap to just hold me. I let him even though the others sit and watch us, probably wondering what the hell went down. I didn’t get into it with Bronx, but he knows it was enough to have Everett needing time to process.
“I’m sorry my life was a mess,” I murmur, bringing my mouth to his. “But I hope you know that I’m okay, really.”
He nods. “I know. I just—I’m pissed the hell off that Laredo got an ounce of our mercy. What he did to you, the way he manipulated your entire life like it was some game to him, it was so horrible. How you can still want to be here with us...” His voice trails off.
“I’m here because you guys are nothing like Laredo. I know you would never do anything awful like that. He only gave blood to me when he had to, which gave him the ability to do what he wanted. I’m nearly certain at least Jameson would let me suck on his neck all day, every day, which assures my clear mind.” I laugh as I say it, smiling at Jameson.
Everett releases a cross between a laugh and a groan. Mikkalo whacks Jameson on the back, sending him falling off the bed to land in a crouch. Bronx remains ever so silent, just listening.
“I was naïve even to think Laredo wouldn’t dare manipulate me. Grayson was just plain stupid to think he had control over him,” I say.
“If Laredo had any ties at all to a region, the contract you told me about would be enough for Laredo to play him. You were not raised within the Donor Life Corp territory nor were you raised as true Blood Rebels,” Bronx says, finally speaking up.
I inhale a sharp breath at his words. “Fuck. The contract. Those guys tonight. I know why they seemed familiar. I think I’ve seen them before.”
Bronx releases a deep growl. “Laredo wasn’t acting alone.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. “I just—I can’t remember.”
“Everett, I know the last time was difficult but I need you to—”
I raise my hand to Bronx. “No, don’t ask him. He already made his feelings clear. You do it.”
Bronx blinks a few times in surprise. “No.”
I frown. “What?”
“No,” he repeats.
“I’d do it, Gigi, but I’m terrible at it,” Jameson says, pursing his lips.
I sigh. “This is important, Bronx.”
“You gave Everett a pass, so I’m taking one too,” he argues.
I turn my gaze to his brothers and throw my hands up. Why he won’t do it? I have no fucking clue. He tried to do it to me before...shit. He’s taking my demand to never ever do it again literally. It’s exactly what I told him when he found me with Zaire’s body and tried to ease my panic.
“Okay, you know what? I’ll do it. It’s going to be my time with Gwen anyway,” Mikkalo says. He moves closer to slide his fingers through mine. “If you’re okay with it. I know you might not want to go there with me yet since—”
“I’d like nothing more than to figure this out with you, Mikkalo. I trust you with my life and my mind.” I slide off Everett and kneel in front of Mikkalo to rest my hands on his shoulders. “I know you’ll be careful with me.”
“Hell yeah, I will,” he says with a smile.
“I guess I better go make our girl something more to eat. She’s going to be starved,” Jameson says. “And maybe one of you two should stand by later in case. As much as I enjoy our girl’s blood lust, I’ve done enough brotherly intervention if she goes wild.”
I stick my tongue out at Jameson. “You’re no fun.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Lies.”
I laugh.
“Not it,” Everett and Bronx say at the same time.
“Looks like you might need to request a new health keeper since yours doesn’t seem to be up for the job,” Jameson says, clocking Everett. “I think it was more than about your safety, Gigi.”
I play kick him. “Knock it off, Jamie, or I’ll be the one to kick your ass.” Turning to Everett and Bronx, I add, “And we don’t need you guys to hover around.”
“Our girl is right. I got this,” Mikkalo says, scooping me up. “Now, group time is over. We’ll see you at breakfast.”
“Give him hell, Gigi,” Jameson says. “He likes that shit.”
I roll my eyes. “I know what I’m doing.”
“Damn,” Everett whispers to himself.
Bronx gives him a look that makes him tighten his jaw. “Have a good day, you two. I’m going to spend some time looking over the feeds. See if we can get any other confirmed sightings of these assholes.”
“I’ll let you know anything I find out,” Mikkalo says. “In a few hours. Our girl needs rest. It’s been a helluva night.”
I hug him tight. “Can we take a bath first?”
“Nothing sounds more perfect.”
***
I moan into the pillow as Mikkalo straddles my waist, massaging his fingers into my back. I had no idea how tight my muscles were until he started kneading through them. And it’s the best. I’ve never had a massage like this. I don’t ever want to move again.
“Good?” Mikkalo asks, keeping his voice low.
“So good,” I murmur, turning my head sideways. “I think the rest of me needs some attention too.”
“Show me where.” He slides onto the bed next to me, allowing me to roll over.
I point to my legs first. “Here.” Gliding my hands slowly up my body, I stop at my breasts next. “Maybe here.” His gaze continues to follow my fingers as I draw them up my collarbone and point to my neck. “A little here.”
“Gwen,” he whispers, his heartbeat picking up speed.
I point to my mouth. “And most definitely here.”
Smiling, Mikkalo leans in to kiss me, playing along with my teasing game. I run my fingers over his muscular shoulders and to his back, lightly grazing my nails along his taut skin flexing as he holds himself above me.
Mikkalo brushes his lips to my throat next. “Like this?”
I hum. “I think you could do better.”
He moans and combs his fingers into my hair, bending my neck slightly to graze his tongue over my heated skin. Molding his lips to the base of my throat, he sucks hard enough to leave a mark without breaking my skin.
And damn does it turn me on.
I slide my hands down the length of his torso until I can touch him through his briefs, showing off every delicious muscle on his body for me.
“Gwen,” he says again. “I want to give you everything you desire, but I need a bit of focus to open your mind. If I give into you, you’re all I’m going to think about. You want answers, not fantasies.”
I pull back slightly to meet his gaze. “You can do that?”
He chuckles. “I can, but reality is much more fun.”
I wrap my hands around his back and pull him closer for another kiss. “You’re right, so we should get on with this. I might be feeling a little bitey too.”
Flashing his fangs, he snaps his teeth at me, making me laugh. “You’re not the only one.”
I draw him closer and purposefully graze my tongue over one of his fangs. “You can have a
little taste if you want.”
He nips me and kisses me deeper, tasting the small drop of my blood coating his tongue. “Waking up to you is the best part of my day, you know. Your teasing is a close second.”
I smile and pull back. “I won’t complain if you wake me up with a full-body massage on our nights.”
He groans and presses his weight into me. “Okay, Gwen. We gotta sit up. If you keep talking to me like this I’m not going to open your mind, and I know it’s important.”
I scrunch my nose.
He leans in and kisses it to smooth out my features. “I’ll be quick. I promise.”
I bob my head. “Okay. I’m ready when you are.”
Mikkalo rolls off me and sits upright, pulling me in close so that my legs hang over his hips. We sit so close that if we weren’t wearing underwear, our bodies would align and nothing would get done. I almost tell him that I changed my mind, that I don’t care who those assholes were, and all I want is to explore the next level of our relationship like I’ve done with his brothers.
I think he considers backing out for the same reason.
Bowing forward, he kisses me again like he can’t stand our lips being apart, and I run my hands over his cropped hair, feeling the texture of it under my fingers. The soft lamplight sparkles in the depths of his brown eyes, the copper ring around his irises looking metallic against the darkness of his complexion.
“It’s best you remain as relaxed as possible,” he says, lowering his voice like any louder pitch will mess up the tranquility he creates.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this relaxed.” I trail my fingers from his hair to rest on his neck.
He smiles, curling the corner of his lips. Hooking his hands to my sides, he manages to pull me even closer. I try not to react to feeling his bulge so close to me, but he only adjusts me so that he can get his hands on my back to continue to knead my muscles.
Mikkalo meets my gaze. “With Everett, you had your mind completely unlocked. I’m going to try not to do that. If I can get you to answer my questions, I won’t create a mental link.”
“Will I pass out?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “You shouldn’t. Everett already removed the block Laredo put on you. This will be just a little prodding to see if we can summon specific memories.”
“I have to warn you. Some of them might be bad.” Nerves attempt to bunch my muscles, but Mikkalo kneads them as they tense.
“And I’m here for you if they are. I promise.”
“Thanks, Mikkalo. This means a lot to me.”
“You mean a lot to me,” he says, moving his fingers from my back to cup my face. “Now look at me and don’t look away. I will ask you a series of questions to make sure the connection is open. If you feel uncomfortable answering, you don’t have to, okay?”
I slacken in his arms, realizing the words were a command. “Okay,” my mouth responds before I can even think of it.
A tiny blip of fear tightens my chest, but Mikkalo’s dark eyes lessen my nerves. “For the first question. What’s your name?”
“Gwen Royale.”
His eyes widen and soften at my automatic response. My heart beats faster, the words ringing true inside me. I’ve already accepted my life and future with the Royale Coven. To hear that even my subconscious agrees brings me more relief and a strange emotion that leaves warmth blossoming in my heart.
“What is your favorite thing to eat?” he asks, keeping the questions light.
“Bronx’s blood.” Seriously, mouth? That is not what I wanted it to say. If my human half could slap my dhampir half, it would. Because how embarrassing. My answer should’ve been like pasta or something. The yogurt and fruit mix Jameson loves to make me. Something normal.
Mikkalo’s features tighten like he’s trying his hardest not to laugh. I can see the amusement clear in his eyes. I’m almost certain I hear a chuckle come from somewhere in the hall. My guys claim that none of them wanted to listen, but I bet Jameson, Everett, and Bronx all hang out in anticipation of my answers.
“There’s something comforting about knowing you’ll devour my brother first so that I can enjoy you longer,” Mikkalo says, breaking into a smile.
I’d whack him if I could.
He must notice my urge, because he adds, “Respond to my comment any way you like.”
Swinging my arm, I backhand his shoulder.
Chuckling, he leans in closer to me, our noses touching. His eyes flash silver. “I think we’re good to start. Are you ready?”
“Yes.” The word comes out so softly that I’m not even sure if my mouth really said it.
“Gwen, I want you to think back to the vampires who attacked us. Imagine their faces, their voices, their scents.”
A dozen images flicker through my mind as I recall the first guy who punched the windshield. An image of him settles clearly in my thoughts—brown eyes, thick brows, high cheekbones, slightly tilted, almond-shaped eyes, wide mouth close to a round nose and chin. He smelled of something strange, almost nutty, and his voice rang higher with his scream.
“Tell me, Gwen. Do you know who they are?” Mikkalo asks.
A burst of pain pulses in my head, the thought hanging so close it hurts how I keep missing it. The other vampire’s face flashes through my mind—long sandy-colored hair, wide, hazel eyes, a sharp jawline to match his sharp nose. I can still smell the subtle hint of vanilla of his blood, taste it even. The deep sultry tone of his voice hums in my ears. I can imagine him saying my name. I can hear him saying Laredo.
Mikkalo gently digs his fingers into my cheeks, his eyes flashing silver again. “Gwen, do you know who those vampires were.”
“Yes.” The word rips from my mouth with another burst of pain in my head.
“How?”
How? I repeat his question over and over in my mind, my mouth begging for me to find the answer. Pressure builds behind my eyes, and I can’t stop the tears from pooling. My mind and body war with each other, but both want nothing more than for me to shout what I can’t remember.
“How, Gwen?” Mikkalo repeats, his eyes flashing more silver.
I groan. “Laredo.”
“Did he introduce you to them?” he asks.
“No.”
Mikkalo inhales a soft breath, the air tickling across my lips as he presses his forehead to mine, blurring the world outside the lightning in his gaze. “Tell me more.”
“I can’t.”
His eyes flash silver. “I need to prod deeper, Gwen. Is that okay?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me how you know those vampires.” Mikkalo’s stare burns through me, setting off a fire inside me so intense that I inhale a sharp breath at the pulse of agony shadowing my vision. Uncontrollable tears splash my cheeks, and sweat prickles across my skin.
“Mikkalo, stop.” Everett’s voice sounds through the air. “You’re hurting her.”
“Gwen, tell me,” Mikkalo repeats.
I release a screech and say, “They’re Laredo’s coven brothers. I saw them a few times after Laredo arrived. They never saw me, but he made me forget. He wasn’t supposed to take over as my blood source after I killed his coven leader.”
Mikkalo’s brows furrow. “His coven leader?”
“Rochester. My previous blood source. He tried to claim me because of my family. He bit my ancestor. He started the Gallagher dhampir line.”
“Fuck,” Bronx says from somewhere behind me.
“Do you know why?” Mikkalo asks me.
“Laredo said because dhampirs mature to carry power unlike anything. My dad didn’t purposely keep us in a bunker. It was Rochester. He wanted us caged.”
Chapter 11
Friendly Competition
I DON’T KNOW WHAT SHOCKS me more—that my whole life was created for some ominous purpose or that an asshole coven thinks that they can control me. And now I have all sorts of questions I’m sure I’ll never get answers to. Like Laredo. What was he actually doing
? He claimed we were working for the elders, but he’s the one who took us on the road. He kept me away from his coven brothers. He bit me because he claimed it would keep me free.
I wish his actions made more sense.
Something sweeps my legs out from under me, and I land hard on the blue mat with a gasp. Mikkalo stands over me, aiming his dagger a few inches away from my heart. His fangs peek from beneath his lips, his mouth tilting down with a frown. I don’t move. I don’t even attempt to fight back.
“Focus, Gwen,” Mikkalo says, keeping his tone stern though I know it bugs him having to command me. “I know you have a lot on your mind, but it’s important to learn to fight through it. Especially now.”
Holding his hand out, he waits for me to give in to let him pull me up. After his mind manipulation, all I wanted to do was curl up in bed. If I were with any of his brothers, they’d have let me. But Mikkalo? Something he saw or felt or whatever during the moments my mind was open to him has him on edge as much as me.
I guess I can’t blame him.
“I’m not really in the mood, Mikkalo,” I say, hugging myself. “Can’t we just go back to your room?”
He shakes his head.
I groan. “I just—you’ll protect me, won’t you? This isn’t necessary. What happened to the guy who wanted to give in to my desires?”
Locking his fingers to my shoulders, he flips me onto my back again. “What happened to my feisty, demanding, sexy-as-hell woman who would never just give in to defeat?”
“She knows you’ll protect her,” I say, narrowing my eyes.
He growls at me. “Even if you’re right, shit happens. I need you to be able to defend yourself and back me up.”
“I already can.”
“Prove it.”
“If you let me bite you,” I say, snapping my teeth at him.
“If you can pin me, I’ll let you bite the hell out of me however and wherever you like,” he says, leaning in closer, pressing his weight into me.
“Wherever, huh?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.
“But the same rules apply to me. If I pin you, I get to bite you.” He combs his fingers through my hair, gently tilting my head sideways to kiss my throat.
