Page 18 of Sylas's Captivating Mate

Ronan cleared his throat. “We’ll give you a minute.”

The small group left, and when the door was shut, Sylas pulled her into his arms. “Sweetness, I’m coming back to you, I promise. But I have to help. I can’t let my family fight without me, I need to make sure that not only I come back, but so do Ronan and the other sabers.”

“I wish I could change you right now so you’d be immortal and much harder to kill,” she said wistfully.

“I may need my cat for this fight, so it’s probably best I have it if I need it.” He gave her a sweet, lingering kiss, then stood. She rose to her feet and hugged him tightly, listening to his heartbeat. He kissed the top of her head. “We can discuss my turning when I get back. The sooner I’m like you, the better. I want our eternity to start as soon as possible.”

She smiled. “Me too.”

They left the apartment, catching up with his family—which was her family now since they were mated—and then before she knew it, she and Alanah were saying goodbye to their mates and joining the others in the main club.

The lights were on, no music was playing or strobe lights flickering. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this place with the lights on like this,” Lia said, joining her, Taryn, and Dredge.

“It’s weird,” Taryn said. “Like it doesn’t look like a club at all.”

Dredge chuckled and kissed her cheek. “I’m going to patrol outside with the wolves. You ready?”

“Ready for what?” Georgia asked.

“I’m part of the security team, so I’m going to patrol inside,” Taryn said.

Lia hummed. “I need to sit down, my feet are killing me.”

“Do you need anything? A cold drink or something to eat?” Georgia asked.

Lia sat at the nearest table. “You’re not my assistant after hours, you don’t have to get me stuff.”

“I may not be your assistant right now, but I am your friend. What can I get you?”

Lia looked thoughtful, then said, “I could go for some cranberry juice and lemon lime soda, with a lemon slice. Oh, and see if they have any olives too.”

“You got it,” Georgia said.

She checked in with the others, trying to help calm everyone’s nerves. She was definitely concerned that Sylas was going to a battle with vampires who were not above using toxins and car bombs to try to take out the kiss leaders, but she knew he was a fierce and capable male. He’d more than proved he could handle anything when he’d taken down an SUV to save her.

Aubrey joined her behind the bar. “I freaking hate this so much, I feel helpless.”

“Me too,” Georgia said. “But we’d just distract our males if we were with them, they’d be too worried about our safety.”

“Yeah, but at least you’re strong and fast, I’d definitely be no match against a vampire.”

“As if Alaric would let anyone get anywhere near you,” Lia called out. “He’s as protective as the rest of our mates. But I agree, we’d end up causing more trouble than we’d help with that’s for sure. Caleb’s already extra-strength crazy with my safety since I’ve been pregnant, I can’t imagine if I was in actual danger in a battle.”

Taryn appeared from one of the halls. “Everyone okay?”

“We’re good,” Georgia said. “All quiet out there?”

“Yep. We’ve got a handful of wolves outside with Dredge, and there are four more in here walking the halls. The hotel’s being covered as well. I don’t think Julian will expect anyone to come after him, I doubt he’s even realized his man is gone yet.”

Georgia finished fixing the cranberry and soda, and grabbed a jar of cocktail olives. “I just want this to be over and I want our mates back here safely.”

“Me too,” Aubrey said. “I need…something to take my mind off this. Can we put a movie up on one of the screens or something? A rom-com maybe?”

“Yes, definitely,” Lia said.

One of the female vampires jumped up and said, “I can do it, I’ve handled the electronics before when we’ve been short-staffed.”

Taryn hung around a little longer, stealing some olives, then she disappeared for another round.

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