Page 59 of Taken By The Vampire King

It was the first time I’d seen Nicolas Dupont look truly uncertain, and that vulnerability looked good on him.

“For the what?” I must have been in shock. I was currently sitting in a vampire’s lair, and we were having an actual conversation. But I couldn’t escape the feeling he was so much more than a vampire.

Something much more important.

He cleared his throat as he swirled his mug, the same movement I frequently made with my coffee, or that killer hot chocolate I occasionally allowed myself to buy from the boutique coffee shop tucked away from the tourist areas of the city.

“For the challenge.” He sighed. “The difference between a made vampire and a natural one is that my siblings were created when one of my parents turned them from being a human. I was born into the family—grown in my mother’s womb. My brothers and sisters aren’t full-blooded siblings, and they know that. In the hierarchy of the family as it currently stands, I will always be above them. I was always the heir to my father’s reign, always destined to be vampire king after him, but Sebastian would like to be in my position. He likely won’t make a formal challenge to my position, but if he thinks he can ascend the easy way, he’ll probably take it.”

Nicolas spoke as if a weight had been lifted from him now that I knew his secret. He was more open, more approachable. More…human. Some of the shadows he seemed to draw around himself were no longer there.

“So if your parents were running around creating vampires…” I almost didn’t have the courage to finish my question as I took in his raised eyebrow, but after fangs and glowing eyes, how much damage could an eyebrow really do? “Have you ever made a vampire?”

Even though I’d asked, his quick nod of affirmation surprised me. “Once.”

“But I’ve just watched you drink a bag of blood. How could you make a vampire? That seems a bit like a vegetarian killing and butchering a cow.”

He chuckled uneasily. “I’m not sure Jason would see it like that.”

“Jason?” My voice came out as a high squeak.

Nicolas nodded. “Think of it as a mercy turn. Jason was dying, and I was the only one who could help him.”

I made an effort to close my gaping mouth. But what the actual fuck?

“Let me get this straight.” I sat taller in my seat. “You decided that the absolute safest person you could think of to guard me in your house was an actual vampire?” I’d watched movies with Jason, spent time with him. “He could have killed me!”

Nicolas shook his head. “He wouldn’t dare. I am his sire—he wouldn’t disobey or displease me.”

I nodded. His imperious attitude amused me, but I didn’t believe a word he said. “So you could magically stop a vampire attack in your house when you’re at work in your casino? That sounds likely.”

Nicolas growled low, the sound of frustration playing over my nerves and starting an ache in my core. I crossed my legs.

“I don’t think you quite understand,” he muttered. “This is my house. I’m the boss. I’m the first word and the last word, and my staff obey me. Jason most of all.”

“Your staff?” My mouth hung open again, and this time I didn’t bother to clack my teeth closed. “What do you mean, your staff?” But I didn’t need him to answer. I already knew what he was about to say, and I started shaking my head even as he nodded his.

“All my staff are vampires.” A fleeting smile played across his face, and I resisted the impulse to touch his cheek and press my mouth to his to capture that amusement. “I don’t tolerate humans well. My staff is a loyal group, and they’ve been with me many years.”

I patted my neck almost like I was searching for sore spots or bite marks. “But I could have been killed at any time. Mr. Baldwin could have gone crazy and ripped my throat out!” But even as I spoke the words, they sounded ridiculous.

Nicolas took them at face value, though. “I assure you, Baldwin would never do something so improper to a guest.”

I closed my eyes. This was all so crazy. A house full of vampires, and I hadn’t known a thing. “Wait a minute… The casino?”

Nicolas nodded. “Yes.”

“There too? Oh my God. What is this? A hostile takeover, or something?”

He propped an ankle on his knee, the posture casual as he fiddled with the mug that was probably empty by now. “Hardly a takeover when we were here first, don’t you think?”

Damn. I had to concede that point.

“Okay.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Okay, but I don’t understand then. If you’re all vampires here, and you’re all vampires at the casino, then I assume you were all vampires at your family’s party, too?”

He nodded affirmation again but didn’t speak as he watched me. Maybe he knew I was trying to work something out.

“So I don’t get why you need me. I saw your friend and heard what she said about being your mate, which I think must be like a vampire girlfriend.” I glanced at him again, and his jaw tightened. Not acknowledgement of my assumption being correct, but not negation, either. “And if that’s the case, I don’t understand why I’m here. You’ve just told me you don’t play well with humans…” I grinned. “Although with the length of your fangs, I can’t imagine why.”

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