Emperor Zhao was seated at the head of the long table, with King Heinrich and General Wolcott on the right. Olivia and Doug were on his left, and the emperor gestured for Sadie and Killian to take the empty seats. Sadie made eye contact with the powerful ancient vampire only briefly before sitting down. She’d only met him once, the last time they had trouble in the city, and he’d unnerved her just as much back then. He was thousands of years old and possessed more power than any other creature she’d ever encountered. His energy was thick and pulsed through the room in palpable waves.
“Hello, Sadie.” Emperor Zhao’s deep baritone resonated through the room and Sadie’s entire body stilled. Even with that quiet, almost imperceptible tone, he was commanding. “Xavier was enlightening us about your…evolution. According to his tests, this is a permanent condition. Isn’t that correct, Xavier?”
“Yes.” Xavier pushed his glasses back onto his nose and pointed at the chart on the screen. “As I mentioned earlier, her DNA has been completely altered and, well, Sadie girl is basically a new race all by herself. Not vampire. Not werewolf.” Pushing his glasses onto his forehead, he looked back at the table. “She’s both. An entirely new breed—a hybrid. In addition to the shifting, she is also a daywalker in both forms.”
“Do you understand what this means?” Emperor Zhao asked. “Not just for you, Sadie, but for our people?”
“Yes, sir,” Sadie said in a surprisingly confident voice. “My DNA was permanently altered the night Olivia found me, but it was dormant until—”
“Until we found each other,” Killian said firmly.
“I know what it means.” She forced herself to look each of them in the eye before saying what she knew they were all thinking. “I’m a threat—an abomination.”
“Yes.” Zhao flicked his serious ebony eyes to Sadie and her heart sank.
She could feel Killian’s anger and touched his mind with hers. Please, don’t do anything. Let them say whatever they want and then we’ll get the hell out of here.
Zhao folded his hands on the table in front of him. He raised one dark eyebrow when a growl rumbled in Killian’s chest. His enormous muscular frame was dressed in a five-thousand-dollar suit, but it couldn’t hide his size or strength. Killian wasn’t stupid; he wasn’t going to attack the Emperor of the Presidium, but he also wasn’t going to hide his outrage.
“In years past, that is probably what we all would have thought. Between your new genetic makeup and the unique mating between you and the prince, well, none of it would even be considered an acceptable event—not by either race.” Killian opened his mouth to respond, but the emperor gave him a small smile and held up one hand. “Allow me to finish, Your Highness.”
“Apologies.” Killian tilted his head in deference. He glanced at his father, who seemed visibly annoyed with his son’s impatience. “Please continue, Emperor Zhao.”
“As I was saying, even a year ago, this mating would be seen by all of us as undesirable. However, given recent developments, we all feel that it comes at a most opportune moment in history. King Heinrich has always been eager to improve the relations between our people, and what better way to bridge the gap than with a royal pairing?”
“Royal pairing?” Killian looked at his father with confusion. “You mean you still want me to assume the throne in five years?”
“No.” General Wolcott straightened the front of his jacket, which was laden with various medals on the lapels. Sadie felt Killian stiffen next to her, but to his credit, he held his tongue. “Not just you. Both of you.” An uncomfortable look flickered across the general’s face as he said, “My daughter’s actions were inexcusable, and we cannot allow dissent like that to spread within the society.”
“The two races must stand together if we are to not only survive but thrive in an increasingly changing world.” Emperor Zhao gestured toward King Heinrich and the general. “If everything goes as we hope, you and Killian will help educate both races.”
“We still have five years until you are to assume the throne,” King Heinrich interjected. “She may be a vampire, but as Xavier has pointed out, she is one of us as well. In preparation for your impending positions on the throne, however, both of you will also serve as senators for the Presidium. Our hope is that by the time of your coronation, both of our races will have had time to adjust to the…changes. It will make for a smoother transition for you and build the relations between our people. And if they need more time to accept your pairing, then we’ll take it. I am, after all, the king. Perhaps I’ll linger on the throne a bit longer than is traditional.”
Sadie and Killian looked at each other with total surprise and then back at the table full of power players.
“Is this for real?” Sadie asked, with a pointed look at her maker. “You want us to be politicians?”
“Think of it as goodwill ambassadors or liaisons between our races.” Olivia smiled as though she had just thought of something great. “Just like Pete. Right? He’s a vampire sentry but he’s mated to an Amoveo shifter, so he’s our liaison with them. See? No big deal.”
“This is so you can keep an eye on me, isn’t it?” Sadie leveled a serious look at the general and King Heinrich, and then at the emperor. “And on Killian.”
“In part, yes,” Emperor Zhao said, lifting one shoulder. “As we’ve seen with the other two bloodmate couples, this bond is unshakable. Therefore, we must use it to our advantage.” He looked around the room and tilted his head in deference to King Heinrich. “All of us.”
“You will live here in New York but make frequent visits to Alaska in an effort to familiarize Sadie with our people.” King Heinrich turned his serious eyes to Sadie. “Then, when the time comes, both of you will come back to Alaska permanently. By that time, Sadie, you should have full control over your wolf.” A sly smile curved his lips. “I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that you already do.”
“I have been practicing.” Sadie nodded and looked away, holding Killian’s hand tighter. The king was irritatingly perceptive. In the past couple of days, she’d been able to stop and start the shift with ease. In fact, instead of panicking at the idea of shifting, she’d found it an exhilarating challenge. “It’s kind of like riding a bike…or breathing.” She couldn’t suppress the grin that emerged. “Once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature.”
“There is only one restriction for Ms. Pemberton,” General Wolcott said in a deadly serious tone. “It is nonnegotiable.”
“Okay,” Sadie said slowly.
“You will not be permitted to turn anyone.” His eyes flickered briefly and glowed before returning to their human state. “Ever.”
“Fine.” Sadie nodded and gave them a thumbs-up. “No new hybrid race. Got it.”
“What if we have children?” Killian asked in a remarkably casual tone. “It is possible, isn’t it, Xavier? They would be hybrids or something along those lines.”
All eyes turned to the scientist. He looked a bit nervous and wrung his hands together while he seemed to be contemplating how to answer the question. No one was more interested in that answer than Sadie. Xavier pushed his glasses onto his head and locked gazes with her. Based on the tender gleam in his eyes, she knew what the answer was before he even said it.
“Yes, I suspect that it’s possible,” he said quietly before looking at the others. “Although we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Sadie looked at Killian who was smiling at her with nothing less than love. The others at the table responded, but Sadie didn’t even hear them because she couldn’t stop staring at Killian. You heard him, didn’t you? Killian’s seductive voice touched her mind as the others continued talking about next steps. We could have children. I, for one, would like to start trying as soon as possible.
Dude, take a chill pill. Sadie’s eyes widened. We’ve been together for like five minutes and I don’t even—
Oh fine. Killian rolled his eyes and looked back at the group, pretending to listen to them while he touched her mind. But we should at least start practicing making babies. That’s the fun part.
After a bit more conversation about what was expected of Sadie and Killian, and confirming that they would be staying in New York for now, the czars escorted Zhao, Heinrich, and Wolcott out before bidding them farewell. Xavier flew over and placed a quick kiss on Sadie’s cheek, which was immediately followed by a fluttering noise from above.
“She’s like a daughter to me,” he shouted without looking up. Bella materialized behind him and drifted over to the door, waiting not-so-patiently. “You see, Sadie girl. I told you it would all be just fine.”
“Thank you, my friend,” Sadie whispered. Gathering him in her arms, she hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. “You are a true gentleman and one of the most trustworthy men I’ve ever known. I can always count on you.”
Bella’s fluttering grew louder.
“Yes, dear.” Xavier winked at Sadie before flying out the door with his ghostly gal pal. “I’m coming.”
The door shut quietly behind them, leaving Sadie and Killian alone in the conference room. Nibbling on her lower lip, she faced the screen and stared at the color-coded chart that compared her DNA to that of vampires and werewolves. That nervousness, the swirling ball of uncertainty, was gone and had been replaced by confidence. She knew what she was, and in a few hours, so would the rest of the community. And it was all okay, because not only did she have her family behind her…she had Killian.
At the same instant that thought whisked through her mind, Killian’s arms linked around her waist and he nuzzled her neck with butterfly kisses. Sadie let out a contented sigh and settled her hands over his. Their linked hands rested on her belly while he gently rocked her in his embrace.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” Killian murmured in her ear. “We can refuse, you know. If you don’t want to do this, then I can call them all back in here and put a stop to it right now. We can leave and go start a life someplace on our own. No Presidium. No Werewolf Society. Just us.”
“What about you?” Sadie turned in his arms to face him and leveled a serious look at her lover. “You never really wanted to be king,” she said quietly. “Why would you agree to all of this?”
“Because of you.” His caramel eyes crinkled at the corners and he settled his hands on her hips, pulling her close. “Assuming the throne, taking on all of that responsibility, it never made sense to me until I found you. Being king and mating only out of obligation or duty felt like a death sentence. But now, with you as my mate, my future is wide open. I know that having you by my side as my partner will make me a better leader for the society.”
“But not yet,” Sadie said with a wicked grin. Popping up on her toes, she flicked his lower lip with her tongue. “We’ve got the next five years here in New York.”
“Yes, we do.” Killian’s eyes glowed amber as he captured her lips, kissing her deeply. Suckling her lower lip, he broke the kiss and murmured, “And I realize we have paperwork to fill out, but do you think the czars would mind if we…”
“I’m way ahead of you.” Sadie’s grin widened. Slipping out of his embrace, she went to the door and flipped the lock. “I think our first duty as senators should be to test out the sturdiness of that table.”
That wicked grin she so adored covered his face as she stalked toward him. In a blur, she leaped into his arms, curling her body around his like a baby chimpanzee. He grabbed her ass with both hands and carried her over to the table while capturing her mouth with his.
I love you, Sadie. Killian’s mind whispered along the edges of hers as he settled her on the edge of the table. Breaking the kiss, he pulled back and cradled her face with one hand. “Always. I can’t promise there won’t be surprises or challenges. I know that your life as a vampire was stable and steady, and your life with me will be…uncertain.”
“No.” Sadie shook her head and pressed her finger to his lips. “You couldn’t be more wrong. I was wrong about something too. The future isn’t promised to anyone, Killian, and all these years I fooled myself into thinking that it was. But you know what? There is something I’m sure about.”
“What’s that?” He brushed a lock of hair off her forehead and she shivered at the feel of his flesh rushing over hers. His intelligent, loving gaze met hers and he murmured, “Tell me.”
“You,” she said in a quivering voice. Staring into his handsome face, her heart swelled with love, and as the emotion surged, her heart began to beat. She took his hand and placed it over the now familiar, if not sporadic beat of her heart. “I love you, Killian, and my heart literally beats only for you.”
If you enjoy Sara Humphreys’s Dead in the City series, be sure to check out the Amoveo Legend series for paranormal romance of a different breed. Read on for an excerpt from Unclaimed.
“Okay, pal,” Tatiana said evenly as she stroked the puppy’s coat and carried him to the exam room. “I know you’re not going to like this, but you need some stitches.”
Bumping the door open with her backside, she placed the puppy on the table. He lay quietly and timidly, watching her with those soulful brown eyes as she gathered the supplies she needed.
Tatiana found the poor thing on the side of the road, but she’d felt his energy signature—red with pain and anguish—before she ever saw him. The only good thing about being half Amoveo was her ability to connect with animals on a psychic level. It made her an extremely effective veterinarian and had her patients’ owners calling her an animal whisperer.
It wasn’t that she actually spoke to them or that she could hear them speak with words—it was more like the ability to feel what the animals were feeling. Tatiana was able to sense their emotions and in turn could send the animal soothing energy waves. It allowed her to connect with them on a deeper level, which made the animals more willing to let her treat them.
Tatiana made quick work of cleaning up the little beagle as he responded to her calming energy, lying perfectly still while she sutured and dressed his wound. He licked her hand as she finished, and though she sensed gratitude in his energy waves, she also saw it in those gorgeous eyes.
She could connect with all animals but had an affinity for dogs, which was probably from being part of the Timber Wolf Clan. Sometimes she wondered if the animals knew she could shapeshift into a wolf.
“You’re just a big flirt, aren’t you?” she asked as she scooped him up and placed a kiss on his head. “Made me fall in love with you with one look from that sweet face. So you know what? I’m going to keep you.”
Tatiana leaned back to get a better look at him and smiled.
“Yup,” Tatiana said through a smile. “You’re a heartbreaker, alright. So what do you think about the name Casanova?”
The puppy answered with a face full of warm licks and a nibble on her ear.
“Alright.” Tatiana giggled. “Casanova it is, but I think we’ll go with Cass for short.”
Satisfied with his new moniker, he snuggled against her chest and lay still as her sister’s voice floated into Tatiana’s head. Hey, sis. Layla’s familiar sound filled her mind. Are you alone, or is Matt with you? I need to see you right away.
I’m alone, Layla.
Tatiana grinned. Matt was her assistant and only friend outside of her siblings. Like her, he never knew his parents, but instead of being raised on a farm by a loving aunt like she had been, he grew up in foster homes and had no family to speak of.
Tatiana and her twin brother, Raife, may not have known their parents, but at least they had each other and their aunt Rosie. They were adopted and moved in when they were twelve, but they couldn’t have been closer to Rosie than if they were actual blood relatives.
Matt always said he and Tatiana were like two peas in a pod. Tatiana felt a bit sorry for him becau
se he really didn’t have anyone other than her. He showed up looking for a job about a year ago, and they’d been thick as thieves ever since. However, as close as they were, he was still unaware of her unique heritage.
I’m in the exam room, but meet me in the waiting room, okay?
Tatiana held Cass a bit tighter as she made her way to the front office. Within seconds, the air-conditioned space filled with static electricity, and the air shimmered. Layla materialized in the center of the room. Her unruly red curls flowed wildly around her, and her brilliant green eyes sparkled brightly as she made quick work of kissing her sister on the cheek.
“I’ll never get used to that,” Tatiana said quietly as she hugged Cass for some much-needed reassurance, and to her surprise, the puppy snuggled closer and licked her neck. “Can all of them do that?”
“You mean all of us?” Layla said playfully as she let the puppy sniff her hand. “Yeah. The pure-blood Amoveo can do it, and the hybrids like us can do it.” She lifted one shoulder and scratched Cass behind the ears. “At least, the few that I’ve met so far. Once you find your mate, you’ll be able to do it too.”
“No thanks, sis. I’ll stick to regular forms of human travel and human dating, for that matter. So what’s up?” Tatiana asked, changing the subject. She sat on the edge of the reception desk and watched her sister carefully. “You don’t usually pop in like this.”
“Hardee har har,” Layla said with a roll of her eyes.
“Sorry,” Tatiana said. “I couldn’t help myself.”
The smile faded from Layla’s eyes, and Tatiana sensed the tension in her energy waves as they swirled faster through the room. It was something akin to a breeze that only another Amoveo could feel.
“We need your help.”
Vampires Never Cry Wolf Page 25
