Page 39 of Claiming the Dhampir

Chapter 14

Kenrid

Elliott and I rode the elevator up to Nathan’s tower in silence. He wasn’t a nurturer, so I didn’t expect a bunch of placating comments about my injuries. I had expected questions about what happened, but he never asked. As soon as my major injuries were taken care of, Elliott hauled me out to one of the waiting vehicles with two other shifters.

I knew Nathan had made it out and was still alive, but Elliott hadn’t given more information than that. Probably because we weren’t alone in the car on the way back. He couldn’t exactly talk about Lorna and her involvement. Unless Damon had brought a supply of blood with him—which was certainly possible—Lorna would have definitely been part of Nathan’s recovery. Her blood was the only thing that could have saved him after Brance’s earlier show of brutality.

The elevator slowly made its way to the top, and my anxiety rose with it. Nathan’s kidnapping and torture had been my fault. Brance must have somehow connected me with the research facility, my involvement in Alyn’s escape, and the infant’s survival. If he hadn’t made those connections, he wouldn’t have been so certain about what Lorna was. And if Brance hadn’t discovered those connections, he never would’ve used the vampire master to lure Lorna into his grasp.

It wasn’t that difficult to follow the clues to Lorna. Her actions the last few days were the only reason no one believed Brance’s claims. Dhampir never had control. I just hoped she didn’t blame me for everything that happened, even though she’d have every right to.

Elliott and Damon also had every right to be angry at me. Our leader nearly died at Brance’s hands. Was that why Elliott was silent now?

As the elevator slowed, Lorna’s bond bloomed to life. Her relief and love and excitement nearly put me on the floor. Elliott swayed on his feet. I glanced over at him, but he didn’t look at me. He focused on the doors as if he could force them to open with his eyes.

“Guess our girl’s happy we’re home,” he said, breaking the silence between us.

“Indeed.”

I wondered how he knew. He couldn’t feel her through my bond, unless … Lorna must have claimed him. A sliver of irritation needled at me. They’d been enjoying each other while Nathan and I had been fighting with the fae. I knew it was unreasonable to be angry—we all knew it would happen sooner or later—but I couldn’t stop the bitterness rising in my throat.

The elevator doors slid open, and there she was, dressed in a pair of Elliott’s shorts and one of his t-shirts. Her hair was still damp from the shower she’d probably taken as soon as she got here. Something I desperately needed.

Her hands flew to her mouth, and tears shimmered in her eyes. “Kenrid, are you okay?” Her whispered plea made all my worries melt away. She wasn’t mad. She was worried about me. Even though she wore Elliott’s clothes, she thought of me first.

I stepped around Elliott and limped toward my soulmate. She reached out but didn’t touch me. I had no doubts that I was covered in bruises. I felt every single ache, but I wouldn’t let it keep me from the other half of my soul.

I wrapped my arms around her and held her close, drawing in the scent of her freshly washed hair. She hugged me back. Her body felt so good pressed against mine, regardless of the pain it caused.

“I’m so sorry, Kenrid,” she said. “I never would’ve forgiven myself if you …” She paused and took a long, shuddering breath. “I love you so very much. I need you to know how much I love you.”

“I know,” I said, my heart swelling with her words. “None of this is your fault.” I gently separated us and met her tear-stained eyes. “Are you okay?”

“No, I was so worried about you,” she replied. “And Nathan.” She shivered and looked over her shoulder. “And Elliott and Damon. I have so many questions.”

I put a little more space between us, intertwining my fingers with hers. I needed her touch, even if it could only be her hand in mine. My body ached too badly to even think about sex.

Elliott set the bags of food on the dining table and prowled back to Lorna. His eyes jumped back and forth from her face to our joined hands, but he didn’t slow his stride. As soon as he reached her, he cupped the back of her head and kissed her. It was a claiming kiss, meant to demonstrate that she was his.

She threaded the fingers of her free hand into his hair and kissed him back. But she didn’t let me go. That small sign of possession from her felt amazing.

Their kiss ended, but Elliott didn’t release her. “Brance didn’t hurt you, did he?” he asked.

She shook her head, still braced between his hands. “Did he hurt you?”

“Not a chance.” Elliott smiled and finally released her. “Let’s eat. We all have questions.”

Food sounded good. I dropped into the nearest seat, grateful to be off my feet. Lorna helped Elliott unpack the boxes of food he’d picked up from a local Cajun seafood restaurant.

I filled my plate with vegetables and pasta and waited for the inevitable questions to start. It didn’t take long.

“I apologize for allowing myself to be led away from Nathan,” Damon said.

All of us gaped at him. Why in the world would he think that was his fault?

“That was not your fault!” Lorna exclaimed. “Everything that happened is Brance and Alyssa’s doing. Don’t you dare try to take the blame.”

I smiled at my fierce mate.

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