Page 43 of Claiming the Dhampir

“If that’s what it takes,” Damon replied. “We need your mind clear before tomorrow night.”

I paused mid-sip and turned around. Elliott had stopped his pacing to look at me. Damon was still reclined on the sofa; I couldn’t decipher the look on his face.

“What’s happening tomorrow?”

“I received a missive this morning,” Damon said. “The fae queens have demanded an audience.”

Setting my drink on the counter, I stared at Damon. Brance had bragged about the queens’ involvement in his plans. I wasn’t sure how I felt about meeting with the fae. My first thought was to refuse. I wasn’t sure I could sit in a room with either of them without trying to kill them.

I wasn’t arrogant enough to believe that I could best fae royalty, though. They wouldn’t go anywhere without their royal guard. Even if I couldn’t kill them, I was certain I couldn’t be civilized. Not after what I’d just endured at their command.

“The timing isn’t ideal,” Damon continued, interrupting my thoughts. “I was already working on a plan to take the fight to them, but this might work in our favor.”

I narrowed my eyes at my second in command. I agreed that we were done hiding Lorna from the fae, but I didn’t appreciate him making arrangements without me. Yes, I had been unconscious, but only for the last few hours. He could’ve waited for me.

“What plans were you making?”

“He won’t say,” Elliott grumbled.

Damon’s magic swelled, and fire lit his eyes. “I would ensure that the fae never return to Earth.”

I smiled at the thought of closing off the fae realm. If anyone could do it, it would be a demon. As quickly as the thought surfaced, my counter-argument joined it.

“I’m not sure it’s possible to prohibit portals between realms,” I said. “As much as I hate the fae at this moment, I can’t condemn them all.”

“It’s impossible to stop travel between realms,” Damon said. “I agree. Most of the fae are innocent. We shouldn’t criminalize all of them.”

I leaned against the counter and retrieved my glass. “So what’s your plan?”

“I expected Alyssa to get word back to the fae courts, just not this soon,” Damon said, leaning forward and resting his forearms on his knees. “The queens want to meet with you, Lorna, and Kenrid at the Fae Estate. I propose that we agree but choose a different location.”

I raised my eyebrows at him. “You would agree to let Lorna go without you?”

“I will not let them take her,” Elliott growled.

His shifter magic pushed against Damon’s demonic power still lingering in the room. My eyes narrowed again. Had Elliott claimed Lorna while I was trussed up like a side of beef?

Damon’s laugh pulled my attention from Elliott and sent shivers down my spine. I’d never seen Damon’s demon so on edge, but the fae had threatened his mate. I wondered what happened while I was unconscious.

“No. Elliott and I will be there to stop anyone from being taken or killed,” Damon said. “We’ll be ready this time at a location that we’ve selected.”

“And what is your plan to keep the fae from coming after Lorna again?” I asked.

Another flicker of fire lit Damon’s eyes, igniting another wave of unease in my gut. He was angry and vengeful. Would the queens survive this encounter? I wasn’t sure if I cared.

“I would prefer no one knew the details,” Damon replied. “Several of the queens’ royal guard are capable of reading minds – even those who believe themselves protected.”

I emptied the blood in my glass, contemplating Damon’s request. There was no one I trusted more than him. If he had a way to end the fae’s pursuit of Lorna, it wouldn’t involve endangering her life. The constant emergence of his demon’s fire made me nervous, though.

I glanced between Damon and Elliott one more time before making my decision.

“Tell me everything that happened while I was unconscious,” I said. “Then we’ll finalize this plan of yours.”

Chapter 16

Damon

After spending the rest of the night with Nathan catching up on clan business, I felt confident that he’d had enough human blood to think clearly. I didn’t feel confident that he’d be able to stay away from Lorna, though. Not just because of his blooming addiction to her blood. I truly believed she was his soulmate, even if Nathan still resisted.

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