Page 11 of Claiming the Dhampir

“Did Nathan just accuse Brance of starting those rumors?”

“Do you think he’d really kick out the Exiled fae?”

“Nathan cares too much about our clan to kick out an entire faction.”

“If the fae did start that rumor, they deserved to be out on their asses. That shit’s not funny. No one wants the dhampir back.”

My gaze slid to Lorna. Damon kept his hands empty, but one of his wings wrapped around her, shielding her side not tucked against him. The vampires strolled by, nodding at Damon. Lorna smiled at them like they were nothing more than regular people to her.

Several of the fae watched with their brows drawn and obvious confusion in their eyes. They honestly believed that she was a dhampir. They were right, but Lorna’s actions made for a truly convincing argument.

Most of the fae filed in behind the vampires, bowing to Lorna as they passed. The fae council just watched their people with disdain before using the same side door that Nathan had.

Apparently, my boss had been right about where the rumors started. Our clan members were also right, though. The fae could not lie. Somehow they knew Lorna was the last dhampir. After hearing Kenrid’s story, I suspected the knowledge came from one of the fae council. Had they been planted with the Exiled fae to spy on them? Were they tasked with finding out Kenrid’s secrets? I hoped not, but I couldn’t ignore the signs. Nathan wouldn’t, either.

After the room emptied and we dismissed the rest of the security team, I joined Damon and Lorna.

“You okay?” I asked, barely stopping myself from reaching for her hand.

“I guess so,” she murmured. “Can we go back to the tower now?”

She leaned against Damon, her whole body seeming to deflate. I could only imagine how exhausting it was for her.

I glanced at Damon. “Do we need to check on the boss before we go?”

Damon looked over Lorna’s head with a furrowed brow. “The fae concern me.”

My eyes darted between Damon and Lorna. His wing still held her tight, but he kept his focus on the side door. My phone vibrated in my pocket a moment later. So did Damon’s. I pulled it out and read the text from Kenrid.

mymankenny: One of you need to join us, just in case Brance decides to try anything.

I looked up at Damon, only to find him staring back at me. The fae didn’t fear me the way they feared Damon. His presence would ensure peace more than mine. Honestly, Brance would be an absolute idiot to try anything with Nathan, Kenrid, and Damon in the same room. Brance was a lot of things, but he wasn’t stupid.

“I’ll take Lorna home,” I offered. “Go make sure the boss is okay.”

Damon’s head snapped back to the side door. “I might be awhile.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I waved a hand at him. “It’s not like spending time with Lorna is a burden.”

She smiled, and a rosy blush darkened her cheeks. I wanted to do more than make her blush. I’d behaved like a gentleman for way longer than I thought I could. Maybe tonight I’d have her all to myself.

Lorna rose onto her toes and kissed Damon’s jaw. He looked down at her like she was the only thing he needed to survive. A surge of jealousy needled my restraint until Lorna turned her smile on me. Yes, tonight would be ours. Damon and Kenrid could handle the boss.

I needed my mate.

Chapter 5

Kenrid

Aknot formed in my gut as I followed Nathan out of the meeting room and down the hall to his office. The fallout from his comments to Brance would be severe. The fae would not tolerate the accusations that Nathan threw out for everyone to hear. If I hadn’t known the truth, I’d be offended as one of the fae. We couldn’t lie, and Nathan had called them liars.

Nathan entered his office and headed straight for the mini fridge. Unlike the well-appointed space he had at the club, this one was completely utilitarian and devoid of windows. A large desk was centered in front of the back wall, and two guest chairs faced it. The dry bar with a mini fridge filled the left, and a bookcase took up the entire right side.

Closing the door behind me, I watched as he opened a fresh bottle of blood. Normally, he’d put it in a glass and warm it, but now, he took several swallows straight from the bottle and grimaced.

“Sorry,” he muttered. “Being that close to her—and pretending it didn’t matter—was much harder than I anticipated.”

I gaped but had no idea how to respond.

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