Page 14 of Kidnapping Their Third

Kimble snarled, showing his fangs but none of them moved further away.

“I know you don’t like another vampire close by, but I’m here as a friend,” Imani said. “I have a flock I love; I don’t need to add anyone to it.”

Imani was showing concern for a friend. It could be a ploy to get close and steal Cora, or it could be honest worry. He didn’t want to kill Cora’s friend if he didn’t have to, that might upset his human.

“Safe. Mine.” There, that should convey everything important.

“I know you wouldn’t mean to hurt her, but something might be wrong, and you didn’t notice,” Imani said. “She went through a lot, and she’s a small human. Let me talk to her. I won’t touch her, I promise.”

“Imani?” a sleepy voice called out. Kimble half turned to see Cora stumbling out of the bedroom. Her hair was an adorable black and purple mess, and she was rubbing her eyes. The shirt Pike gave her to sleep in hung off one shoulder and the bottom hem dropped past her knees. She almost looked like a child.

“Cora?” Imani said and tried to step closer. Kimble let out a snarling roar, and she scrambled back against her flock. Unfortunately the sound woke Cora all the way up.

“Hey, don’t roar at my friend,” Cora reprimanded, stomping forward and pushing him to the side. She tried to slide past him, but he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against him.

“No!” he objected. “Flock!”

“Yeah, I know you want me to be your flock,” Cora said, craning her neck to look up at him. “But if being your flock means I don’t get to see my friend anymore, then it’s a hard no.”

Shock jolted through Kimble. She was saying no? He couldn’t stand it. Letting go of her, he dropped to his knees and put his hands together in front of him.

“Flock?” Fear made his voice come out high and scared. He wasn’t sure he’d survive if she rejected him. As long as there was hope that she’d accept a place in his flock, he felt mostly in control. If she refused, the madness might consume him.

“Fuck,” she exclaimed, eyes going wide. She grabbed hold of his hands and tugged. “Get up. You’re making me feel like I’m abusing you.”

He didn’t move. “Flock?”

“Are you asking me to be in your flock again?” Her frown deepened. “I can’t wait for the day you can speak in whole sentences involving more than one or two words.”

She wasn’t the only one who wished he could communicate better. He had the urge to slam his forehead to the floor in an attempt to knock more words out of his stubborn head.

“He needs you to say you’re not going to leave him,” Imani said from behind Cora. “He’s probably scared you’re going to walk out because you’re pissed.”

Cora looked over her shoulder at Imani. “Thanks for interpreting vampire. Don’t leave, okay?”

“I don’t have much time,” Imani warned her. “Sunrise is coming.”

Cora nodded her head and turned her gaze back on him. “I’m not going to abandon you or Pike. I’m not sure what we are yet, but I’m willing to give us a chance. I can feel something here. Even when I was scared, I knew deep down you wouldn’t hurt me.”

Kimble slumped a little with relief at Cora’s words, but when he reached out to hug her, she drew back.

“Hold on, I’m not done yet,” she said. “I’m going to turn around and talk to Imani. I might even hug her because she’s family to me. You’re going to let me do that, understand? You can frown but no growling or starting a fight.”

“No!” Kimble protested, getting to his feet. He had to ball up his hands into fists to keep from reaching for Cora. Instead, he stepped between her and the open door. “No!”

“What’s going on out here?”

Looking past Cora, Kimble saw Pike clad only in his boxer briefs walking into the living room. Much like Cora, he looked sleepy and confused, but his eyes and senses adjusted much faster than hers did.

“Oh! Hi guys!” Much like an overly friendly dog, Pike hurried to the door to greet the intruders. Kimble was forced to hold his arms out to block Pike from stepping past him.

“These guys are friends,” Pike said, his smile still in place. “That’s Mac. He helped my sister once. And that’s Lex. He’s a great dancer. Imani’s their vampire, and they’re her flock. They’d never hurt me.”

Kimble knew better. If it came down to a flock or an outsider, a vampire would do anything. Despite Pike’s words, Kimble didn’t move.

“No.”

“That’s his favorite word,” Cora drawled, stepping up to stand next to Pike. Looking under Kimble’s arm, Cora waved at Imani. “You better get home before the sun comes up. I’ve got my phone; we can talk tomorrow night.”

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