Page 45 of Claiming the Dhampir

“You are meeting the queens at dusk tonight?” the commander asked.

My gaze snapped up to his. I hadn’t realized that I shifted my attention to the rocky ground. I nodded but remained silent.

The commander retrieved a small black stone from the pouch on his belt and handed it to me.

“You remember how to activate the stone?” he asked.

I nodded again, taking the portal marker from him. It was cool against my palm, but it wouldn’t stay that way. As soon as I activated its magic, the stone would send a pulse to the one attuned to it, giving him its location.

“Your request will be granted,” the commander said.

I held back my sigh of relief and all the caveats I wanted to put on his support.

“Thank you.” I lowered my head in acknowledgment. “What will I owe you for your assistance?”

“Payment is not needed for the protection of a demon’s mate,” he replied. “I’m more interested in finding out who you found on Earth.”

His comment had me lifting my chin once again. A flicker of flame lit the commander’s eyes for a moment, but his smile eased the tension in his face. He nodded, and my captors released my arms. I resisted the urge to growl at them.

“Next time, show yourself at the castle.”

I grunted. “You know I cannot. Your patrols still try to attack every time they see me.”

The High Commander laughed, something I hadn’t seen in centuries. His whole body shook with his amusement. The demons surrounding him shifted uneasily, giving off the same uncertainty I felt.

“If you’d stop dropping off random humans, they wouldn’t be so angry with you,” the commander said, still smiling. “The Underworld is not your personal rubbish bin.”

I shook my head and held back my own laugh. “Please accept my apologies. I hadn’t considered their point of view. I was merely trying to ensure the wildlife was fed properly.”

“Of course you were. Go home and prepare for battle.” He raised his left hand, and the demons with him leaped into the air. “The Underworld will be happy to threaten the fae queens this evening.”

He left me alone on the wide outcrop of rock. As I clutched the portal stone in my hand, a sense of relief filled my heart. The fae queens would regret their choices, and I would revel in their fear.

Chapter 17

Lorna

Isat at the dining table in Damon’s half of the tower surfing the internet and rolling my eyes at the dumb stuff on social media. I was bored out of my fricking mind. The guys insisted I had to stay put ‘in case Kenrid needed me.’ I didn’t mind being there for my fae mate, but I suspected they just used it as an excuse.

I’d been locked in the tower all night and all day while Kenrid slept. He’d stayed awake long enough to eat and tell the guys everything that had happened before they’d arrived at Alyssa’s home. He also refused to let any of the other fae into our space to finish healing him. Not that I blamed him. I’d have issues trusting any of the fae for a really long time.

I tried to find things to keep me busy while he slept, but Damon was a neat freak. There was only so much cleaning I could do. It didn’t feel right to reorganize his kitchen, even though he’d said I could.

The rest of the clan should see that we’re fine and not hiding from the fae, Mir insisted.

You know I agree, but trying to convince Damon and Elliott…

Yeah, overbearing assholes.

I laughed, knowing she didn’t mean it. She liked it when Elliott was overbearing.

Only in bed, she grumbled. We’ve only got to have him once. I need more to find out if I really like it.

I blushed but didn’t disagree. I secretly hoped he’d let us be in charge.

Mir created an image of me in a dominatrix outfit kneeling over a naked Elliott who was tied to the bed. My blush turned into a wave of desire with her vivid imagination.

Pretty sure Elliott won’t go for that, I said. But nice try!

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