Page 61 of Claiming the Dhampir

“There are some humans who are conduits,” Kenrid said. “People who can sense and channel magic from one source to another.” He gave Lorna another smile. “We don’t know what DNA you have. It could explain why our magic has changed. It could also explain how you shared yours with me yesterday.”

He glanced up at Damon. “It might also be the reason she can project her thoughts so easily, with no training at all. It could be a combination of her fae ability to project and her being a conduit. She had the royal guards on their knees with a vision of the three of us kicking their asses.”

“Possibly,” Damon said, tapping his fingers on his knee. “The sharing of power yesterday could also explain why Nathan is not feral for her right now.”

Damon’s comment startled me. I was ready to ask about her projecting ability—they hadn’t mentioned it before—but stopped because he was right. Yes, I wanted Lorna. Her blood called to me, but not any more than usual. Actually, it was less demanding than before. Before when, though?

“You’re right,” I admitted. “I’ve always tried to stay away for fear of giving in to the temptation. After Lorna saved me…” I looked across the table at her and smiled. She had saved my life regardless of the consequences. “It was impossible for me to be near you without my vampire trying to take over. But now, even though I want you, I’m not a feral monster trying to take your life.”

Lorna’s eyes widened, and she jerked her gaze from mine. I tried not to feel hurt by it, though. It was obvious she was thinking or arguing with Mir. Maybe both. She tugged her hands free and clasped them between her knees before looking up at me. A pair of black eyes met mine. I couldn’t help the surge of desire swelling in my jeans.

“You’re right,” Mir said with her edgy voice. “Your blood still smells amazing, and I clearly remember the taste of you, but my urge to bite you isn’t overwhelming. Maybe we can control the surge of power by sharing it with the others.”

Did I hear a note of hopefulness in her voice?

I most certainly remembered the taste of her blood and her pussy. My imagination immediately conjured up the four of us pleasuring Lorna. I wasn’t sure I was ready for that, and Elliott definitely wasn’t. I also wondered if she and I could claim each other without biting. Would my willpower hold out now that my feral urges seemed to be under control? I doubted it. Maybe we could share blood, disburse the magic, and then enjoy the intimacy I wanted without an audience. Maybe.

Was I having the same moment of hopefulness?

“We have time to experiment,” Damon said.

I glared at him for trying to put a timeline on when I would claim Lorna.

“Lorna and I have to go to the Underworld,” Damon continued. “I’d rather do it now, so Lucifer doesn’t have time to prepare a huge event for the court. We might be able to go and come back in the same day.”

“I see.” I didn’t like the idea of my most trusted friend and second in command going back to the Underworld. Over the years, he’d made it very clear there was nothing there for him. He’d told me time and again there wasn’t any reason to talk about his family or his past because he’d never go back.

“I don’t like it,” Elliott said. “He was way too interested in our mate. What if it’s a trap?”

Damon looked around the table in silence, probably having the same argument with himself that I’d just had about revealing my insecurities. His gaze lingered on Lorna before finally focusing on me.

“I won’t go into the demons’ hierarchy or politics. It’s complicated and not important,” he said. “For demons, soulmates are sacred. We don’t have mates for procreation. Our soulmate is a companion to have for eternity. Someone to dispel the insanity created by loneliness.”

The look Damon gave Lorna made my heart skip a beat. She was the reason for his existence. I could see it in his eyes.

“This is not a trap,” Damon continued. "But I share your concern regarding Lucifer’s interest in Lorna. That’s why I want to go now before he has time to gather his full court. I don’t want the entire Underworld knowing about my mate.”

Chapter 22

Lorna

An hour later, I was in Damon’s living room. For our Underworld travels, I’d chosen a pair of nice slacks and a sweater that Elliott had bought me on our first shopping trip. Damon recommended comfortable walking shoes, so a pair of low-heeled ankle boots covered my feet. The only jewelry I wore was the necklace I’d received from Lucifer.

I shuddered at the memory of the largest, scariest creature I’d ever seen.

Damon was in his demon form in the same leather pants he always wore. My normal appreciation for his rippling scales and muscled torso was subdued by the nausea churning in my stomach.

I didn’t want to go to the Underworld. The Underworld! I couldn’t even wrap my brain around the fact that Hell was real. Yes, I was standing next to a demon with a vampire, wolf shifter, and fae in a loose semi-circle in front of me. Yes, Damon had mentioned his home realm a couple times before, but the reality of me going to Hell was overwhelming.

I shook my head, equally cowed by the gift from Lucifer. The Lord of the Underworld. Was he the fallen angel from Heaven that Christians believed he was? Was he Hades from Greek mythology? Would Hell be just like humans imagined it? All fiery and desolate?

I had so many questions. Maybe Damon would explain it to me before I had to face Lucifer and his minions. A cold sweat dampened my skin and made me shiver.

“How long will this take?” Elliott’s frown turned into a snarl.

I understood his anger, though. We’d be separated, and there’d be no way for him to reach me.

“I hope to be back before sunset tomorrow,” Damon replied.

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