Page 19 of Awakening the Dhampir

The panic and pain I’d thought I had under control burst free.

“Lorna,” Kenrid whispered, taking a step toward me.

I shook my head, and he stopped. “Did you let them take me?” I asked, my voice quivering.

His eyes widened, and the sadness in them eclipsed Elliott’s. “No. I swear to you I had nothing to do with your kidnapping. I could never hurt you, especially not like that. I would never betray you.”

The magic stretching between us flared. I could almost feel his words soaking into my soul like a promise he could never break. A tear slid down my cheek, and I stepped out of the shower, not even caring that I was completely naked beneath my towel.

I reached out with one hand and placed it against his perfect cheek, keeping a firm grip on the towel with my other. Kenrid leaned into my touch but didn’t move any closer. I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to or not. I believed him, mostly because of the magic dancing between us. I was certain I’d feel a lie in his words if there was one.

“Get dressed so we can put this place behind us,” Kenrid whispered, then looked over my shoulder at Elliott. “We have to get Damon and Nathan to the airport in time for their flight tonight.”

“Got it,” Elliott said from right behind me.

The two men shared a look before Kenrid wrapped his fingers around mine and brought my hand to his lips. He kissed my knuckles, then left me standing there. How had I ever believed he betrayed me? The depth of his emotion was so easy to read. The tenderness of his kiss rivaled Elliott’s gentle massage.

I spun around, coming face to face with Elliott’s bare chest. The contours of his muscular abs and pecs begged to be touched. Had I not been in a semi-state of shock, I might have reached out and traced them. Thankfully, he was wearing a pair of sweatpants.

My eyes finally made it up to his face. A smirk played on his lips, and my face flushed. Damn.

“I’ll definitely let you watch next time,” he teased, then patted a pile of clothes on the counter next to the sink. “I’ll be right outside the door waiting for you.”

He stepped around me and left, shutting the door softly behind him. I believed him, too. He wouldn’t leave me here. Not after they went through all the trouble of coming for me.

I grabbed the shirt off the top of the stack and shook it out, then snorted. It was enormous. I pulled it over my head and was immediately engulfed in Elliott’s scent—the subtle smell of softened leather and something else I couldn’t name. It was definitely his shirt. The sweatpants swallowed me, too. At least they had a drawstring around the waist. Even if I hadn’t lost a ton of weight, I would’ve had to pull it as tightly as it would go.

Wrapped in Elliott’s clothes and his scent, I lifted my chin and opened the bathroom door. Time to put all of this behind me and make a new future.

Chapter 8

Kenrid

When Lorna stepped out of the bathroom with her head held high, she looked like a completely different person. Her clear hazel eyes had no trace of her dhampir. The blood was gone, but dark circles shadowed her eyes. A slight quiver in her lip betrayed her determined facade. It would take more than twenty minutes to recover from what she’d been through, and we didn’t even know the extent of it yet. Maybe we never would.

I picked up the duffle bag at my feet and the garbage bag full of wet clothes.

“We ready?” I asked, not taking my eyes off Lorna.

“Yes,” she replied, but she shook her head no. “I … I can’t go out there.”

All the determination she’d gathered in the bathroom drained away. She squeezed her eyes closed, and the tears she’d been holding back streamed down her face. I started to drop the bags in my hands, but Elliott shook his head.

“I got her,” he mumbled.

I didn’t want to be jealous of his sudden closeness to her, but it burned hot in my veins. I’d been the first to win her over, yet he’d been the one to comfort her. I was pretty sure Elliott saw it, but for once, his wolf didn’t react.

“I can carry you out,” he offered, stepping in front of Lorna.

She huffed and wiped away her tears. “I shouldn’t need to be carried.”

“We can’t be strong all the time,” he said. “Except maybe Damon. I’ve never seen that bastard need help with anything.”

Lorna’s frustration didn’t vanish, but a tiny smile gave me some hope. “He does seem rather indestructible, doesn’t he?”

“Yeah, it’s not good for my ego,” Elliott deadpanned.

Damn shifter. As much as I hated his humor, Lorna needed it right now if her faint smile was any indication.

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