Page 48 of Awakening the Dhampir

Damon grunted in the back seat. “Yes, we should have considered that sooner. You probably shouldn’t wander about without having one of us with you. Some of the clan living at the fortress will try to manipulate you if one of us isn’t there.”

“Great,” I mumbled, letting my head fall against the window.

What the hell was I doing? This was such a bad idea. I’d placed my entire life in these guys’ hands. I’d have to depend on them for absolutely everything. My food, clothes, even the roof over my head. I had nothing of my own, and I wasn’t sure I could even access any of my funds without sending up a bunch of red flags. I also couldn’t see where I had a choice. The alternative was trying to create a new life without their help. I wasn’t sure I could do that on my own.

“It’ll be okay,” Damon said again.

I still didn’t believe him, but I wasn’t arguing. Kenrid drove down the paved drive, and I got my first full view of the fortress. It was huge. I couldn’t even begin to guess how many square feet it covered. The same stacked stone provided the foundation for the first two stories. Above that, it alternated between dark wood and more stone, almost like they couldn’t decide when they built a new addition. It should’ve appeared haphazard, but there was just enough symmetry to the chaos to make it work.

We skirted around the right side of the castle, and a large garage door opened as we approached. Just before we disappeared inside, I noticed it was right beneath one of the towers. The truck’s headlights popped on automatically, and Kenrid parked next to a two-door sports car I didn’t get to see long enough to identify. It didn’t really matter. I was just trying to find any excuse to delay the inevitable.

I drew in a deep breath and opened the door. A pair of strong arms slid around my waist and lifted me from my seat. I didn’t need to see Elliott to know it was him. His magic wrapped around me, holding me tight like I’d been gone forever, not just two days. I hugged him back, grateful that he didn’t hesitate. I’d worried he would feel my connection to Damon and Kenrid and reject me. If he felt it, he didn’t react. He just held me.

“I missed you.” His breath ruffled my hair and stirred my desire. “I missed that, too.” He chuckled and set me down beside the truck. “We decided to give you one of the rooms in Damon’s wing of the tower. He’s already announced his claim on you, so it won’t look weird to the clan.”

He glanced over my head and nodded. “I thought it might be a good idea for one of us to also be there.”

I shifted to see who he was talking to. Kenrid strolled around the back of the truck as Damon emerged from the back seat.

“Sounds like my space is getting crowded,” Damon said.

My eyes snapped to meet Damon’s, expecting anger or disappointment. A smile spread across his face.

“I’m glad you agree,” Elliott said, loosening his hold but not completely letting me go.

“We can take turns,” Kenrid suggested, raising an eyebrow at Elliott, almost like there was more he wasn’t saying.

“Yep,” Elliott replied, his fingers digging into my waist.

I started to ask what was up, but the rich scent of a chocolate latte filled my nose. So much power. The strength of Nathan’s blood was almost tangible in a way I couldn’t explain. I’d had nothing to compare it to before. After my time with Conrad … I squeezed my eyes shut.

Mir, remember how we talked about letting it go? Let me handle this part, please.

But he smells divine, she whined.

Yes, but we can’t have him, I argued. We’ll never have him if we can’t prove we’re trustworthy.

She let out a long sigh, and I could almost feel her retreating from me. I sighed, too, then opened my eyes. Nathan stood next to Elliott. Damon flanked his boss’s other side, and Kenrid rounded out the half-circle. They all watched me with degrees of wariness. I swallowed hard and looked directly at Nathan.

“Thank you for taking me in, Nathan,” I said, my voice only a little wobbly. “I’ll do whatever I can to earn your trust and keep it. I promise not to hurt you or your clan.” My gaze trailed to the others. “If my presence becomes a threat to your people, you need to let me go. If I’m a threat to your friendship, kick me out.” My focus went back to Nathan. “If I’m a threat to you, do whatever you need to do. I refuse to become the monster everyone thinks I am.”

Nathan stepped forward, his eyes not leaving mine. I expected my hunger for him to surge forward and consume me, but it didn’t. It was there—I definitely wouldn’t have denied him if he offered—but it wasn’t overwhelming. I sent a silent thank you to Mir.

Nathan stopped with only a few inches separating us. His gaze swept over my face for several seconds before settling back on my eyes.

“Welcome home, Lorna.”

Chapter 18

Nathan

Ipaced the floor of my living room, impatiently waiting for my most trusted men to settle Lorna in her room for the night. All three of them insisted they had to be there. Like the woman wasn’t capable of navigating a bedroom with an attached bath. Damon’s wing of the tower was set up exactly like mine, so she’d have to be blind not to see the open concept living space.

I shook my head and continued pacing. Lorna’s arrival only confirmed how besotted my men really were. Once again, I asked myself the same question: was it because of her dhampir magic or fate? I wanted it to be fate.

Elliott deserved to find his mate. He’d been alone for way too long. I’d actually considered letting him take an extended vacation to visit some of the larger wolf packs across the country. Being in our clan didn’t seem conducive to finding a mate for him. There were several smaller packs in our clan, but none of the females attracted Elliott’s attention despite their best efforts.

I’d sort of assumed Damon would always be alone. He refused to go back to the Underworld, and other demons didn’t live on Earth as he did. I never would’ve guessed that a demon would choose anyone other than a demon. They were more magic than anything else. Yes, they had a body made of flesh, but their otherworldliness separated them from everyone. I had to wonder what it was about Lorna that made the fates think she was good for Damon.

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