by Jessica Lee
Son of a flaming bitch.
A lump threatened to form in his chest. Oh hell no. What had falling in love done to him?
Rein it in, Santini.
It was the surprise element. That had to be it. He hadn’t seen this coming.
And he hated surprises.
Kenric had mentioned a renewal, but Markus had thought in the informal sense. Not calling him out in front of the group and getting all sentimental and shit. The mushy stuff between him and his mate behind doors…that was different. Private. For her, he willingly exposed that side of himself. But not in front of the Enclave.
However, fuck it…he wouldn’t trade this moment for any damn thing. This motley squad was his family. And he’d tolerate whatever they wanted to put him through. They’d ridden through hell and back with him, and after all was said and done, his fellow warriors had accepted his baggage. No matter how heavy it was.
“What do you say?” Kenric asked, jerking him back to the moment.
“I say…what are we waiting for?”
A cheer went up around the table.
“My sentiments precisely,” Kenric said.
The commander stepped toward the rectangular oak cabinet along the wall. There, he collected a small hammered copper bowl and returned to the table. After placing it in front of him, Kenric gathered his dagger in his right hand.
“Sacrifice.” The master vampire raised his wrist and placed the blade over his pulse. “Honor.” He slid the serrated edge over his flesh, releasing a trail of crimson. “Loyalty.” The flow trickled over the edge and into the glimmering copper beneath his arm. “These are the values of the Enclave. And through our blood we bind ourselves to the code. To one another.”
The current warriors moved to the bowl and followed suit with their daggers. One by one, their essence mingled with the master’s.
“Now, each new member,” Kenric ordered, and Emily stepped up with her blade. She dragged the serrated edge over her wrist and allowed her blood to flow into the bowl. Her mate stood by her side, watching, and no one could miss the expression of pride on his face.
Eve came next, then Elle, Christian, and lastly, Alexandria. Without a moment’s hesitation, she made her incision. She’d worked hard for this honor, and he, too, was damn proud of his mate.
Sealing her wound, Alexandria stepped away and Markus moved into place. The flickering candlelight gleamed off the garnet fluid inside the copper as he fisted the hilt of his dagger.
Unreal.
Over the last several months, Markus would have bet that he’d be dead before being offered a spot back inside the Enclave. He glanced over at Alexandria, who stood by his side.
This moment.
This female.
Proof that even for bastards like him miracles still occurred and dreams could come true.
Markus’s blade bit into his flesh, sharp, burning, but the pain was irrelevant, trivial compared to what it symbolized: a family bond. One that he’d die for before he ever allowed anything or anyone to try to sever those ties again.
With Markus’s life’s essence added and his vein sealed, Kenric collected the receptacle. Raising it up above his head, the master vampire addressed his Enclave. “Unity in our blood and our mind-set. Defend humanity. Protect our existence.” Bringing the vessel to his mouth, he added, “Drink, Enclave.” He sipped from the bowl, then offered it to his second-in-command.
Guerin accepted, drank, and passed it to Arran. Around the table the vessel moved, each vampire sipping from the dark mixture. Blending a portion of each warrior within themselves.
The bowl made its way to Markus, and he cupped the round container between his hands, the metal warming his palms. His pulse thumped inside his ears as the heady cocktail rocking inside the copper tantalized his senses. He brought the vessel to his lips, his mouth watering, and tipped the contents onto his tongue. The powerful mixture electrified his taste buds and ignited his esophagus. He groaned as it merged into his being. His veins sizzled.
Damn, what a rush.
A low rumble grew around him, every male and female joining in.
“Enclave!” a shout rang out, each warrior fisting their weapon, lifting them, hilts pointed upward and toward the center of the table. “Enclave!” again they bellowed.
His heart pounded from the sound, from the mingling of their essences inside him. He needed his female. Now more than ever, he needed to be inside his mate. He wanted her inside his mind as she flowed through his veins, their hearts beating in time.
The revelry mellowed to adrenaline-laced chatter, and he bent his head to her ear. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Are you sure?” she whispered back. “Kenric will be okay if we leave?”
“The ceremony’s over,” Markus said. “He’ll be fine if we head out.”
“What about my tattoo? My Enclave symbol?” She grinned.
Markus wrapped his arm around her. “I’ll make sure you’re back in time to get yours, Vixen,” he rumbled in her ear. Her palm clasped his cheek in sensual response.
Reluctantly he tugged himself free. “Hey, you guys,” Markus called out and all heads turned his way. “If you’ll excuse us, Alexandria and I have something we need to take care of.”
“You have to leave now? We’re about to celebrate,” Arran said. “And lay down some ink.”
“This can’t wait,” Markus said, giving Alexandria a gentle squeeze to her shoulder.
Kenric nodded as if he somehow understood the urgent need for their exit. “Enjoy,” he said. “We can take care of Alex’s symbol once you return.”
“Thanks,” Markus said. “Catch you all later.” He slid his arm around her waist, drawing her near. Leaning in, he lowered his voice for her ears only. “We have a celebration of our own to attend.”
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Acknowledgments
To the best critique partner a writer could ever hope for, Naima Simone, you are a true blessing from God. Best of all, I get to call you my friend. I can’t imagine doing this without you. Love you, girl!
To my editor Erin Molta, thank you for sticking with me throughout this series! Your insight and patience have been truly appreciated. I look forward to working with you on many more titles and series to come!
About the Author
Jessica Lee is an EPIC eBook Award winner and international best-selling author of paranormal romance. She lives in the southeastern United States with her husband and son. In her former life, Jessica was a science geek and spent more than twenty-five years as a nurse. But after the birth of her son, she left her medical career behind and discovered her passion for writing romance. And she’s never looked back! Jessica Lee is currently published with Entangled Publishing and Resplendence Publishing, plus several self-published titles.
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