Page 36 of Stolen By Dragons

“Let’s just be glad the Dracarians are handling it,” I stated as Ossian and Valeria flitted off finally. I squeezed Aria’s hand, my wolf rumbling contentedly as she squeezed it back. Things had definitely shifted between us, and I couldn’t wait to spend more time with her, get to know her on a deeper level.

And test out if this was truly a potential mate bond.

For the first time in years, I didn't feel alone. I had found my potential mate, my partner, my home.

And made a couple of friends.

12

OSSIAN

The soft glow of the Dracarian sunset shone across the walls of my chambers, casting shadows that danced and swayed with each gentle breath of air.

Last night, my fellow vampires had voiced their concerns, but thankfully, at lunch today, the Dracarians had shared that we’d be supplied with sustenance. It would be provided in our rooms for us, so we could choose whether we attended meal times or sat them out. Whether or not it was a way to keep us away, the stains against all of the other species, I had no idea, but it was better than us going into a frenzy.

The animal blood provided wasn’t the worst I’d had, and I knew it would suffice, although it was hard not to dwell on sweeter tastes.

I sat motionless on the edge of my bed, lost in thought, my fingers absently tracing the spot on my wrist where Aria's pulse had thrummed against my skin just days ago.

The memory of her taste, her scent, the way she'd trembled in my arms – it all haunted me in a way I hadn't experienced incenturies. What was it about this human that had gotten under my skin so thoroughly?

A sharp knock at my door jolted me from my thoughts. "Enter," I called out, my voice rougher than I'd intended.

Valeria slipped into the room, her green eyes gleaming with mischief. "Well, well," she purred, "someone looks lost in thought. Thinking about your little human pet?"

I shot her a warning glance. "Aria is not a pet, Valeria. And my thoughts are my own."

She held up her hands in mock surrender. "Easy there, old man. I'm just curious."

I sighed. "What do you want, Valeria?"

"Elowen's called a meeting. Apparently, they're finally going to tell us what all this training has been for." She paused, her expression growing serious. "And Ossian? The others aren't happy about the... dietary situation here."

I nodded, understanding her concern. The animal blood we'd been provided was sufficient to keep us nourished, but for some, it was far from satisfying. It was like asking a gourmand to subsist on bland gruel – it kept you alive, but it hardly made existence enjoyable. I knew how they felt, but that didn’t mean I was going to cause a scene or anything. I would survive.

“They’re complaining," Valeria continued, her voice lowering. "They're calling it 'going vegetarian'. Marcus, in particular, seems to be taking it rather poorly. I heard him losing his cool when he tried the blood in his room. The other two are of the same mind, but you know how they seem to be following him.”

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. Marcus was your stereotypical vampire. One for indulgence, reveling in the hunt and the intoxicating taste of human blood, something he’d discussed with the other two at lengths, expecting Valeria and I to be on the same wavelength. For him, this dietary restrictionwas likely more than just an inconvenience – it was an affront to his very nature.

Thankfully, Valeria was more like me, having been a rather new vampire, only a few decades turned, and she clung to her humanity like I did. Sure, she hunted, but from what she’d shared, she reveled in enticing men into falling for her then feeding on them, getting more from them than just blood. Feeding could be a sexual thing, after all, but she always erased their minds. She had a few regulars back home that she toyed with, something that I wondered if I should pursue, but I disliked the idea of toying with their emotions like she did, keeping them wanting for her.

Each to their own, though.

"They'll have to adapt," I said firmly. "Aria is the only human here, and she's off-limits."

Valeria raised an eyebrow. "Ah yes, your little human. You know that she’s at risk, right? They don’t give a rat’s ass about anything, and this whole war thing, they’re only going along because they have to in order to get home and feed. They’re just lucky compulsion doesn’t work here, or Aria would’ve already become their midnight snack bag.”

A flare of possessiveness rose up within me at her words, surprising myself with its intensity. "Aria is not to be touched," I growled, my voice lower than I’d anticipated.

Valeria held up her hands in mock surrender, but her eyes gleamed with interest. "My, my. The old vampire has himself hooked. You of all of us should know better."

I chose to ignore her comment, instead focusing on the matter at hand. "We'll need to keep an eye on the others, especially Marcus. The last thing we need is for someone to lose control and jeopardize us. They say they need us, but if we’re a risk to the others, they may decide they don’t need us that much.”

Valeria nodded, her expression sobering. "Agreed. But Ossian… Your attachment to the human girl is noticeable. And in times like these, any perceived weakness can be exploited. You may be the oldest vampire here, so the other three are willing to listen to you to some extent and stand down, but if they think you’re weak… you’ll lose all standing.”

I sighed, hating that she was right. I’d already talked Marcus down once from causing a scene, and I’d stepped in last night, which had caused him to rein himself in, but it was like trying to control a rabid dog. He was not one I could trust, and if he knew of my soft spot for Aria, he’d find it as something fun to mess with, to go after her and cause havoc with me. Some vampires craved the chaos, and Marcus was one of them.

“Be careful, Ossian. You’re playing a dangerous game.”

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