Page 15 of Vampire's Choice

Adan hadn’t had much interest in vampire politics, except as needed to navigate the magical studies he wanted to pursue. Until Catriona, he hadn’t even given any thought to being in love. And though Catriona had Fae and human blood, her Fae side was given far more weight, so the subject of vampire-human power dynamics didn’t really apply to their relationship.

But Ruth thought about it. Some of the stories about Lady Lyssa and Jacob were probably exaggerated, but seeing them on the island, she knew many were not.

She’d wondered what it would be like to have that total bond of physical and mental intimacy, not just what could exist between a vampire and servant, but between two souls, as it obviously did for Catriona and Adan. His devotion, his fascination with his Fae, their protectiveness and love for one another, was evident. Undeniable.

Why the fuck did that bring the invisible male back to her head? It had been a chance meeting, a game, driven by healthy lust and the fun of a good fight. If he was lingering in her mind, it was because of the mystery attached to him. That was all.

Earth to Ruth. Wake the fuck up.

The mental jab from her brother snapped her attention back to her immediate surroundings. Jacob was giving her a puzzled but too keen look.

He asked you how your portal jump was.

“Dizzying,” she said. “Apologies. I may still be a little disoriented.”

Jacob dipped his head toward the yurt’s interior. Ruth recognized Lyssa’s even voice. Whatever she said caused a short burst of sensual laughter. It rolled over Ruth’s skin even as it prickled, a warning of the power of its owner. Yvette, she assumed.

“Sometimes a portal jump can deplete your energy,” Jacob told her. “If you carry a blood reserve with you, I recommend taking a couple swallows before going in. This isn’t an audience where you want your attention to wander.”

No kidding. She removed the flask she carried in the hip bag she wore. As Adan exchanged a few comments with Jacob about the daggers, she took a couple discreet swallows. Elisa had packed it, telling her daughter, “I know, you don’t think you’ll need it, but just in case.”

Etsi never stops being Etsi. Are you all right? Adan asked.

He hadn’t stopped talking to Jacob, but vampires learned to split their mental attention to communicate with servants or, in their case, a vampire with whom they had a mind link.

Yes, I’m fine. I’m ready to do this.

Whether it was true or not, a different expression crossed Jacob’s face, indicating he’d received his own missive. He glanced at Adan, a telling look, before he spoke. “My lady and the Lady Yvette are ready for Ruth. Lady Yvette thanks you for bringing her, but assumes you have other matters to handle for Derek.”

Adan’s expression shuttered. Ruth put a hand on his arm. “Of course.”

If I need a protector for a job interview, I’m not going to be much of a bodyguard, am I?

Adan met her gaze. I’ll check back in on you soon, sister.

She felt love for him for his care, but also a slight resentment at the implication she needed the backup. She was going to prove herself here, damn it. Her brother might be the big, bad Light Guardian, but she had her own gifts.

“I’ll be fine. Go away. We women have serious business to discuss.”

Adan’s eyes twinkled as Jacob chuckled. Good. That was the response she wanted from them both. Squaring her shoulders, she stepped inside the yurt.

And saw the male who’d left a handful of feathers in her grasp.

CHAPTER FOUR

Hold it together.

Ripping off her own arm would have been easier than yanking her gaze from him, but she managed it before she had time to absorb anything except her certainty it was him. She should have registered that dense energy and inhaled his scent well outside the yurt, but she’d figure out why she hadn’t later. First things first.

Lady Lyssa and Lady Yvette sat in two velvet-cushioned, polished wood chairs. A table holding one delicate teacup and one snifter sat between them. Lyssa’s tea was jasmine; Yvette’s half empty glass held an alcohol with the scent and color of bruised oranges.

Ruth dropped to one knee for Lady Lyssa, then rose and executed a respectful waist bend to Lady Yvette. “My ladies. It’s an honor to be here.”

She pushed confidence into her voice, building a wall around her and the women that excluded anything else.

If he started doing his sex-her-up whispering thing, she would stab him with both of her knives.

Lyssa’s parentage had been a Japanese vampire mother and a High Fae father. Ruth assumed her long dark hair was from her mother’s side of the family, as well as the piercing slant to her jade eyes, a narrow, vibrant view to a compelling yet hazardous world. Her dress looked like something Fae spirits might wear to dance in one of their magic circles. The deep purple color with hints of green showed off tiny sparkles on the close sleeves and nipped waist. The flowing skirt framed matching purple boots. Raw jade mounted in a beaten gold collar rested against her sternum, just above the hint of cleavage the dress’s V-neck offered.

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