Page 41 of Claiming the Dhampir

Lorna nodded.

“How much?”

The tears that were already filling her eyes finally spilled over. “I guess even a taste is too much.”

I reached over and pulled her hand into mine. “Nathan is strong. As long as you didn’t pass out from blood loss, he’ll be able to overcome the initial withdrawal.”

A strangled laugh escaped her. “No, it wasn’t that much. I wasn’t even a little dizzy or light-headed.”

“He’ll be fine.” I squeezed her hand and glanced at Damon, wondering if he’d contradict me. I was confident in my knowledge, but it would be nice to have his input.

“Kenrid’s right,” Damon agreed. “You’ll need to avoid him for at least twenty-four hours until we get enough human blood in him to override yours.”

“But you said he’d be addicted to me after one sip,” she argued, glaring at Damon.

“He will be addicted,” Damon said. “But if he’s careful, he’ll likely be able to get past it. We’ll find out more when he awakes.”

“Okay.” Lorna pulled her hand from mine and grabbed a napkin to wipe her tears. “One more question. Damon, how did Brance’s spells not hurt you?”

“I’m a demon,” he replied, as if that answered everything.

None of us knew a great deal about demons and their magic. I’d learned about their hierarchy and how their families worked, but they kept their magic a secret. It wasn’t really that difficult for them when they stayed in the Underworld.

Other supernatural creatures couldn’t survive in the Underworld for very long, so we didn’t have a way to find out just how powerful the demons really were. And after Damon’s display this morning, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

Lorna laughed and shook her head. “I’m pretty sure several of the fae in that room pissed themselves when you smashed through the window.”

Damon grinned, and tiny flames flickered in his dark eyes. I shivered at the memory of his demon—his true demon, one I’d never seen before today and hoped to never see again.

“Is there a way to force a confrontation with the fae queens?” Elliott asked, redirecting our discussion. “We can continue trying to hide Lorna’s true nature, but it sounds like the queens aren’t going away. We can’t keep Lorna locked in the fortress, even though my wolf considers it a reasonable solution.”

“That’s actually part of my plan,” Damon said. “But I need to confirm a few alliances before we go down that path.”

“Ah.” Elliott nodded at Damon. “Glad we’re all on the same page.”

Silence fell across the table once again. I yawned and scrubbed my palms over my face.

“Are we staying in Nathan’s tower?” I asked. “Or can I go to my own room?”

“It will be best if only me or Elliott are here when Nathan wakes,” Damon replied.

He didn’t have to tell me to take Lorna with me. She didn’t need to be around Nathan. I stood and extended my hand to my beautiful mate. She glanced at Elliott and Damon. I could feel her indecision. She didn’t want to choose between going with me or staying with them.

Damon must have sensed it too. “Go with Kenrid and get some rest. Elliott and I have a lot to do.”

She stood and walked around the table. Damon and Elliott both rose from their seats, watching our mate. She wrapped her arms around Damon’s waist and hugged him tight. He folded his arms around her, but his focus remained on Elliott.

I had to give the wolf shifter credit for not freaking out, but I didn’t expect him to step up to Damon’s side and wrap his arms around them both. Lorna gasped and pulled one arm free to slide it around Elliott.

“Come on, Kenny,” Elliott said, extending on arm to me. “Might as well join the group hug.”

My mouth dropped open, but I did as I was told. Damon and Elliott pulled me into the huddle, caging Lorna in the middle. My throat tightened. I hadn’t known how much I’d needed this feeling of family until this moment.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one. A flood of emotion rushed through my bond with Lorna. Her comfort, acceptance, and love brought tears to my eyes.

I’d fight to my last breath to keep it.

Chapter 15

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