Page 1 of Claiming the Dhampir

Chapter 1

Lorna

It’d been one whole week since I’d arrived in New Orleans. Seven days since I’d given myself to Kenrid and Damon. Seven days since I promised to prove I could be trusted, not just by my demon mate, but also trusted by Nathan.

Yes, Damon’s trust was important to me, but the friendship between the four men who’d risked so much for me mattered more. I didn’t want to drive a wedge between them. I didn’t want resentment replacing their dedication and loyalty to one another.

Nathan made it very clear that the clan knew me as Damon’s mate. Not Kenrid’s mate. They all agreed that there were too many consequences for allowing the clan to see I had more than one man committed to me.

Even though Elliott and I hadn’t officially claimed each other, it was coming. I could feel it just as strongly as I felt the draw to Damon and Kenrid. Elliott was mine, but no one would believe that a wolf could share his mate. It just didn’t happen.

And apparently, Kenrid was fae royalty. But if his family discovered that he’d found his soulmate, things would get all kinds of ugly for me and Kenrid.

Been there. Done that. Not trying to do it again.

Mir and I did our very best to not draw attention to the lies we were living. I’m pretty sure I failed most of the time. Seriously, it’s impossible to ignore someone you care about. Impossible for me anyway. So instead of hanging out with the rest of the clan, we spent a whole lot of time trying to discover the extent of my magic.

Just like now.

I sat on an old stump surrounded by tall trees whose broad branches created a canopy above me, blocking out most of the evening sun. The sandy dirt beneath them made me believe this entire area probably flooded during the rainy season. Today, it was hot and humid. Sweat trickled down my back and between my boobs, distracting me way too easily.

A slight tug between my ribs redirected my thoughts. The first time it happened, it scared the shit out of me. I thought for sure I was having a heart attack. I wasn’t. It was just Damon tugging on the connection of our mate bond.

Another tug made me growl. My demon didn’t allow distractions or laziness during training. He was a completely different person as a teacher than he was as a lover.

He’s a very attentive lover, Mir said.

Don’t distract me, I snapped at her, even though I completely agreed.

I was supposed to be trying to ‘sense’ Damon and Kenrid, who hid among the trees. Kenrid wasn’t that hard to find. His aura—his energy—shined like the sun in my mind. I looked to my right and followed my connection to him, trying to send feelings of love and happiness his way. When I got gratitude and longing back from him, I smiled.

A flare of irritation lit up Damon’s bond. I sent my own frustration right back. He was hiding from me. Not just physically but in every way. I couldn’t sense him at all unless he sent an emotion directly to me, like just now. Not today or the three previous times we’d played this little game.

Damon would not be found unless he wanted to be.

I drew in a deep breath and closed my eyes. I used to be really good at meditating. I’d spent a lifetime perfecting my focus, organizing the compartments in my mind, and keeping my personas exactly how I wanted them.

Now, the tiniest stray thought had me losing concentration.

I huffed and forced my mind to think of nothing except that tiny thread connecting me to Damon. His magic always felt heavy to me, like a protective cocoon. During our claiming, its darkness contrasted with Kenrid’s light. It shouldn’t be this hard to pinpoint Damon.

It seemed fricking impossible!

No, I could do this damn it! I bit my bottom lip and pictured my demon. His strong jaw, full lips, and dark eyes that read me too easily. I loved the texture of the thick horns that curved over his black hair and his oh-so-sensitive pointed ears.

A gust of wind ruffled my hair and a smile spread across my face. There he was. A few feet behind me and…

I screamed as a pair of strong arms wrapped around my middle and pulled me into the air. The ground got farther away for several moments before it rushed back up to greet me. Damon landed first, making sure I was steady on my feet before he let me go.

I spun around and pointed at him. “Why can’t I feel you?” My voice was a little breathless from the thrill of flying, even though it was only a few feet off the ground. I was not supposed to be thrilled with my demon. I was frustrated!

Damon shook his head in obvious disappointment, and I shoved away my memories of my elementary school teachers doing the same thing. It only added to my frustration.

“You’re trying to use our mate bond to find me,” he replied. “But you have more magic at your disposal that you’re completely ignoring.”

I frowned and crossed my arms over my chest. I didn’t need the reminder of my other magic, the one that turned someone’s brains into scrambled eggs.

“Your magic doesn’t always have to kill, little d’laej.”

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