by Amy Patrick
He’d been right all along. He didn’t belong here. Neither did I. I wasn’t sure where exactly we did belong in the outside world, but we’d find a place—together.
Of course I’d have to persuade Dr. Coppa to release him from the clinic first.
For the first time, I hoped what Imogen had said about me was true—that I’d inherited her queen bee pheromones—or at least enough of them to influence the doctor just this once.
He looked up and smiled when I opened the clinic door.
“Abigail. I’m surprised to see you here. Have you decided to train with us to be on the medical staff? I think you’d be quite good at it.”
“What?” I shook my head in confusion. “No. I uh... I came to see Reece. I know I visited earlier, but actually, I wanted to speak with you about his progress. I really think—”
He cut me off before I could finish. “Reece isn’t here. I thought someone would have told you.”
“He’s... gone? You released him?”
“It wasn’t up to me, actually. I would have liked to keep him a few more days to make sure he’s fully recovered,” the doctor said. “He left not ten minutes ago with that Viking fellow, Kannon, and some of the other Bloodbound. They said Imogen gave the order.”
“Imogen?”
Now my mind was reeling. What was she up to?
Was she having Reece escorted from the Bastion and thrown out to punish me?
And then a different possibility occurred to me. A far more frightening one.
Was Imogen planning to start training Reece and have him take my place at the ceremony? She had turned him that night as well.
Instead of having a daughter to rule by her side, she could have a son.
Or a mate.
I couldn’t let that happen. Reece didn’t want to stay here. And he didn’t know Imogen like I did.
If he took part in that ceremony and succeeded in turning a human with a single bite, she would never let him go.
I left the clinic and headed for the main common area, asking people along the way if they’d seen Kannon and the other Bloodbound.
When I finally spotted the squad of warriors, I picked up my pace. I needed to find out where they’d taken Reece. If he was out there alone in the world, I’d go after him.
If he was with Imogen... well I didn’t know what I’d do.
Reaching the group, I went directly to Kannon. He looked surprised to see me.
“Hi. I thought you’d be at the cathedral with Kelly and Heather. Weren’t you looking forward to the concert?”
I didn’t have the time or the inclination to explain myself. I had to find Reece before he got too far away.
“Where did you take him?” I demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me he was being banished?”
“Who? Reece? I—”
Kannon’s response was interrupted by another voice coming from behind me. It sent literal chills down my spine.
“Hello Abbi.”
Reece.
I whirled around and did a double-take. Not only was he still here—and looking healthier than ever—he was dressed like one of the Bloodbound.
His uniform was a bit different from the others with a short sleeved leather tunic worn over a black shirt instead of a full-length jacket but still, it was definitely a uniform.
Slim-fitting leather pants, leather boots with laces and buckles, heavy leather shoulder protectors held on by a leather harness. What was going on?
“You’re still here.” I stated the obvious, still reeling in shock.
“Yes. I’ve decided to stay at the Bastion.”
“And join the Bloodbound?” I whirled to face Kannon. “You recruited him?”
He held his hands up in a defensive posture. “I’m only following Imogen’s orders. She said to offer him a job, so I offered him a job.”
Turning back to Reece, I studied his stoic expression. “Could I speak with you a moment—in private?”
I tugged him to the side and lowered my voice. “What are you thinking? Do you have any idea what it means to be Bloodbound? I thought you wanted to leave.”
He shrugged, his face a complete blank. “I had a conversation with Imogen—she stopped by the clinic. I’ve started to see that ‘value in community’ you were talking about.”
“You don’t have to do this. We can find a community somewhere else. We can leave tonight.” I lifted my packed bag to show him. “I went to the clinic just now to get you so we could leave together.”
“And go where?” he said in a tired sounding tone. “To your village, which threw you out? To my hometown where everyone’s afraid of me?”
“No. We can live anywhere we want to. Or nowhere. We can travel together and see the world.”
For a moment I thought I detected a hint of longing in his eyes. It must have been my imagination, though, because the next words out of his mouth were harsh and derisive.
“Wake up, Abbi. That’s a fantasy. We can’t make it on our own. You haven’t been out there in the world like I have. And things are getting worse for vampires by the day. If you’re not clanned-up, you’re dead. Besides... it’s too late.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve made a commitment to start training as a Bloodbound. This is my life now.”
All the air left my lungs in a whoosh. He was really serious about this. “Why? Why would you do that?”
He shrugged, sounding blasé. “I needed a job.”
“It’s not just a job, Reece. It’s a way of life. The requirements... Kannon told me about the vows—community before self, obeying orders without question... never taking a mate.”
I swallowed hard, blushing over the last word. “Are you really okay with all that?”
His jaw hardened, his answer slipping out between stiff, barely moving lips.
“It’s better than the alternative.”
Oof. That one hit me like a punch to the gut. There was no other way to take it. Because the alternative was me.
Without my permission, tears sprang to my eyes. “Would it really have been that terrible to be with me? To be my mate?”
Reece’s dark-rimmed eyes maintained blazing contact with my own for a long stretch of seconds.
Then he turned and walked back toward his company, throwing parting words over his shoulder like a handful of empty peanut shells.
“I’ve got to get back to my brothers.”
21
Alternative
It had to be Imogen.
She was the one who’d recruited Reece into the Bloodbound—I knew it. She was punishing me for my “disobedience” by forcing Reece into a life of servitude and celibacy.
But how? What had she promised him to make him do such an about-face?
What had she threatened?
There was only one way to find out. I went to her chambers unannounced and banged on the heavy wooden door.
There was no answer, so I pounded on it a second time.
A Bloodbound guard opened it. He was shirtless. And sweating.
His pants were slung low on his hips as if he’d pulled them on hurriedly.
“Oh... I...” My cheeks went up in flames.
Stumbling back a few steps, I looked past the guard through the open doorway. Imogen was stretched across her large, luxurious looking bed with a sheet draped over her body. She propped herself on one elbow and gave me a knowing smile.
“Do come in dear. It must be important for you to arrive unannounced and uninvited.”
“No... I... I’ll come back later. I’m sorry to disturb you.”
She sat up, tucking the sheet around herself before sliding off the bed. “Don’t be silly. Stay.”
Sauntering toward us, she stopped just beside the shirtless guard and ran her long nails down his arm, scoring the skin with raised red welts.
He didn’t flinch, but I did.
In an overly solicitous tone, Imogen said, “You’re not disturbing me. You’re my daughter. I’m always a
vailable to attend to family.”
Then she gave the guard a shove, pushing him through the doorway. “Leave us. But come back later. I’m not finished with you.”
Without a word he walked barefoot down the stone corridor and rounded a corner out of sight.
I was frozen in place as an alarming idea struck me. Were the Bloodbound more than just protectors of the Bastion and Imogen’s loyal soldiers?
When I thought about it, Kannon hadn’t said their vows included celibacy specifically. He’d said they were forbidden to take a mate. Those two were not necessarily the same thing.
Many of the vampires here had mated up—permanent partners for eternity. Others, like Heather, played the field.
As strong and attractive as they all were, the Bloodbound were a frequent topic of conversation for the single girls here—some of my friends even flirted with them—but everyone knew they were off limits.
Apparently they were off limits to everyone but Imogen.
“Well don’t just stand there,” she said. “Come in and close the door. It’s obvious you have something to say.”
The self-satisfied look she gave me just then told me all I needed to know.
Yes, she had conscripted Reece into the Bloodbound to punish me—but she also wanted him for herself.
“I know why you did it... but why did he?” I demanded. “What did you promise him?”
I didn’t have to explain who him was.
“It’s a great honor to be selected as a Bloodbound candidate. Why would he not want that?”
“Because he wanted to leave. Not three hours ago he told me so. Then the next time I see him—shortly after I told you I wouldn’t turn that human—he’s wearing the Bloodbound uniform. Dr. Coppa said you visited Reece in the clinic. I want to know what you offered him to make him change his mind so quickly.”
With a smirk, she lowered her gaze to her sheet-clad figure, inviting me to do the same.
She was beautiful to be sure and appeared no older than her early thirties. But she was much, much older, and Reece was just a young guy. It was gross.
And he was mine.
I wasn’t sure exactly when it had happened, but sometime during the past few weeks I’d definitely developed possessive feelings for him.
A vivid mental picture popped into my mind—opening the door and seeing Reece inside Imogen’s chambers, half-dressed.
It made me want to vomit, though I wasn’t sure vampires were even capable of that.
“I want you to release him,” I said in a firm voice.
“He’s not a prisoner. He made his own choice, and he can leave anytime he wishes to—up until he takes the sacred vows. He hasn’t done so yet.”
“He said he’s made a commitment. He meant to you, didn’t he? He made some kind of deal with you. Well, whatever it was, I know he didn’t want this. He wanted freedom. Tell him you release him.”
“Or what? You’ll leave?” Her tone taunted me like a kid in a schoolyard. “I don’t care. Go, if that’s what you want. But you’ll be leaving alone.”
“We’ll see about that,” I said then spun on my heel and left the room.
22
Off Limits
Over the next few days, I searched for opportunities to speak to Reece and talk some sense into him, but it proved an impossible task.
He was always out on patrol with the other Bloodbound. When he was in the Bastion, he was doing training exercises or tucked away in their sleeping barracks.
And he was never, ever alone. His new “brothers” surrounded him at all times. Even when I could catch a glimpse of him, he never looked at me.
Frustrated, I decided to confront him in a place where he couldn’t run away.
The Bloodbound had their own wing in the caverns—off limits to the rest of us. But I wasn’t going to let a few rules stop me.
The soldier on duty at the corridor entrance stepped into my path as I attempted to march inside.
“No women are allowed in here.”
“I know that, but I’ll only be a few minutes. I need to see Reece. I’m not going to break any rules, I promise.”
“No women,” he repeated.
Obviously I didn’t have those ultra-persuasive pheromones Imogen had made such a big deal over. Now what? I doubted I could push past the huge guard.
Ah, I know. “Do you know who I am?”
Being Imogen’s daughter was no party, but maybe I could at least use it to my advantage. Surely I outranked this guy in hive hierarchy.
He nodded, looking embarrassed. “I know who you are, Princess. But I’ve been ordered not to let any women inside—especially you.”
“What?” This was crazy. “I’d like to speak to your boss please.”
“He’s busy.”
“Just get Kannon—or you’ll regret it tomorrow.”
The guard gave me an uncertain look, but he moved into the corridor and knocked on the first door.
Kannon opened it. When he spotted me, he smiled and strode toward me.
“What the hell are you doing here, squirt? It’s almost morning, and this is a no-girls-allowed zone.”
“I know. Your muscle-headed friend here made that clear, but I need to speak to you a moment. Privately.”
With a quick jerk of the head, Kannon dismissed the guard. “Okay, what’s up?” he asked when the man was out of sight.
“I need to see him.”
His lips twisted in a grimace of unwillingness. “That’s not a good idea.”
“Why? Is something wrong with him? Is he okay?”
“Of course. Sure, he’s okay. He’s just... adjusting. He needs some time before...” His sentence drifted away unfinished.
“Before what? Before seeing me again? Why?”
“I honestly don’t know. But it’s not me who’s keeping him away from you. The Bloodbound recruits aren’t forbidden to talk to females—outside of the barracks that is. This is his choice. Maybe he just wants to focus on his training—to be sure he passes the tests so he can get initiated and take the vows.”
“Why did Reece do this, Kannon? What do you know?”
“Absolutely nothing, and that’s the truth. This was between him and Imogen.”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “I don’t understand what happened. He was dying to leave, and then suddenly he was signing up for eternity. And now he’s treating me like a complete stranger.”
Kannon said nothing, just gave me a sympathetic shrug.
“Reece said it was too late. Is that true?” I asked. “Can he still change his mind?”
“I suppose so... up until he takes the vows. But I have to tell you kiddo, he seemed pretty sure about his decision. He even asked if there was any chance of moving up the swearing-in date. I told him he’d have to wait for the Inception Ceremony on Devil’s Night.”
Why was Reece in such a hurry? I suspected it was because he was afraid he would change his mind.
“Kannon... I need a favor.” At his grimace, I said, “Please hear me out. All I need is a few minutes alone with him. To say goodbye. I’m leaving the Bastion.”
His blond eyebrows shot up. “You’re leaving? Why?”
Though I had no intention of leaving without Reece, I kept going with the farewell-visit storyline.
“You know how unhappy Imogen is with me. I’ve never really fit in here. I’ll never be happy attending a ceremony where humans are being turned. And I’ve sworn never to bite another human. If Reece doesn’t... well, if he really wants to be Bloodbound... there’s nothing for me here.”
He shook his head and looked away, his expression filled with dismay. “Imogen’s not going to like this.”
“She’s the one who invited me to leave. Anyway, she’s not going to hear about it—not until I’m long gone. Right?”
“When are you planning to leave?”
“I’m not sure yet. Sometime before the Inception Ceremony.”
The ceremony that also happened to coincide wit
h the night of Sadie Aldritch’s speech, but I didn’t mention that to Kannon.
My new plan was to go to D.C. with Kelly and Heather and persuade Reece to join us. I couldn’t risk Kannon—or anyone else—knowing which direction we’d gone.
His displeasure was evident on his face, but finally Kannon said, “Okay. You’ve got five minutes. And you know the rules. No funny business.”
“I know,” I whispered, mortified.
“Fourth door down on the left.” Kannon grinned, obviously amused at my deep blush.
Hurrying down the hallway, I rapped lightly on Reece’s door. He opened it almost immediately. From the look on his face, I could tell I’d been the last person he’d expected to see. His open expression contracted into a closed one.
“What are you doing here, Abbi?”
“I need to talk to you. Apparently stalking you is the only way to make that happen.”
His brows lowered even farther, and he steeled his jaw. “There’s nothing to talk about. You should go back to your chambers. You’re not supposed to be in this wing.”
I pressed my palm against the door to open it wider and stepped inside. “Kannon said it was okay—as long as I didn’t steal your virtue.”
Reece snorted in a yeah right way.
“What? You don’t think I’m capable of it?” I challenged. I wasn’t sure where I was getting the courage, but his question had provoked me.
No, I wasn’t the sexiest girl on the planet and certainly not the most experienced, but we’d connected that night at the bonfire. I’d felt it. And unless I was completely mistaken, he’d been interested in me that night.
Our connection had only deepened during his time in the clinic—and now he was acting like a stranger. I wanted to know why.
A reluctant smile sneaked across Reece’s face. “No actually. For one thing... I have no virtue to steal. For another... I’m Bloodbound now.”
“No—you’re still in training.”
“A matter of semantics,” he said, rolling his eyes. “The point is, nothing’s going to happen here that involves my virtue—or yours.”
I felt myself deflate, my excitement over finally getting the chance to talk to him draining away. He was acting like a different person. And he seemed... sad.
