Page 12 of Claiming the Dhampir

“After seeing Brance’s expression just now, we need to be careful, especially with the way everyone is doubting him,” Nathan continued, putting the bottle back in the fridge. “I suspect he’ll be barging through that door at any moment.”

I nodded. Nathan was right.

“Should I text Damon or Elliott and ask them to join us?” I asked, pulling my phone from my pocket.

“It’s probably a good idea.” Nathan moved to the large desk in the center of the windowless room, but he didn’t sit down.

I sent a group text to Elliott and Damon, then moved to stand at Nathan’s side.

Sure enough, a few seconds later, the door burst open, and Brance barged in.

“How dare you?” Brance bellowed. “I should kill you for what you’ve just done!”

I glanced over at Nathan, expecting him to transition to his vampire, but I should’ve known better. Nathan rarely reacted irrationally. My boss tapped his fingers on the back of his chair and stared at the fae. Red circled his irises, but that was the only sign of his vampire.

Alyssa stepped up to Brance’s side, and I could see two more fae in the hallway.

“I presented the facts,” Nathan said in a low voice that made my skin crawl. “I’m fairly certain they were the same facts I stated to the Exiled at your last meeting. The clan should be intelligent enough to make their own decisions based on the information provided.”

“The fae cannot lie,” Alyssa said. “Yet you made it sound like we were all liars.”

“Aren’t you?” Nathan asked. “Everything I see contradicts the rumors you’re spreading about Lorna. You’ve seen it with your own eyes, yet you still refuse to accept the truth.”

Alyssa frowned, but I thought I saw indecision when she cut her eyes at Brance.

“I know I’m right,” Brance snarled. “You’ll regret your decision to protect her.”

Nathan’s vampiric magic heated my skin, and long claws replaced his manicured fingernails still gripping the back of his chair. Damon’s huge form filled the doorway behind Brance and Alyssa a moment later.

“Don’t threaten me, Brance,” Nathan warned. “You’ll regret your decision to make me your enemy.”

“Nathan’s enemies are also my enemies.” Damon’s voice startled both fae. Apparently, they hadn’t felt his looming presence.

Red runes flickered against Damon’s dark scales and a thick fog made the air around him pulse with magic. Brance stepped to the side and spun around to face the demon. Alyssa stifled a scream and rushed to the corner of the room. At least one of them had some sense of self-preservation.

“I think it’s time for you to leave,” Damon said.

“Yes, it is.” Nathan circled to the front of his desk. “It’s obvious where your loyalty lies, and it’s not with the clan. Pack your personal belongings and get out.”

His command made my eyes widen. The decision made sense. Brance clearly wasn’t changing his mind, but I never expected Nathan to kick them out. He’d always leaned toward acceptance and forgiveness.

Alyssa’s sharp intake of breath drew my attention. Her face had paled, and she covered her mouth with one hand. Brance snarled, balling his hands into fists at his side. His fae magic swelled in the small room, needling my skin with its intensity.

I responded immediately, extending a magical shield between Nathan and Brance. I wouldn’t let anything happen to the man who’d stood by my side despite all my secrets.

As Damon stepped into Brance’s space, his fae magic disappeared, almost as if Damon consumed it with his presence.

“Leave.”

Brance had to crane his neck to look up at the demon bearing down on him. Some of his bravado slipped, like he realized that Damon could squish him like a bug. Brance threw one more scathing look at Nathan, then edged past Damon and fled out the door.

Everyone’s attention fell on Alyssa, who still stood in the corner. Her eyes darted between the three of us. I’d never seen her look so shaken. The haughty arrogance she normally carried was nowhere in sight. I released my magic and let the protective shield fall away. She was too afraid to even think about attacking us.

“Why does Brance continue this charade?” Nathan asked.

Her nervous gaze settled on Nathan but only for a moment before it fell to the floor at her feet. “He told me that he’s found a way to secure our entry back into Fairie.”

I took a step forward wanting to ask how, but Nathan beat me to it.

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