Page 53 of Greer's Change

The two tiny fang marks now marking his olive skin say something happened, though.

I push my lips against them in silent apology for scarring his skin, and a shiver runs down my spine.

Oh shit, yeah...that might be a permanent bondmark, based on the tingle that flows through my system when I touch them.

Um, do vampires not require intent when initiating a matebond if it’s placed on the neck? Someonereallyshould have told me that.

That must be why he gave me a stern lecture about not biting anyone on the neck. Come to think of it, Cole always went for other arteries, but it makes me feel silly and a little self-conscious that I didn’t know any better.

Novak spins me in his lap until I face the room and walks me through feeding from each of the humans. I barely take a few sips from each, but Tristan and Courtney seem nice enough. They’re attractive, for humans, and it’s convenient that they’re ina relationship, especially because my venom sends them into a hypersexual state that makes my face heat.

“Well, we’ll need to practice a bit more with the venom control,” Novak says, standing with me in his arms. “But that’s a problem for another day. It’s already almost five. I’m sure you’re getting sleepy to prepare for your daytime slumber.”

It is getting hard to keep my eyes open.

Novak steps over the couple and strides toward the door. “Tomorrow night, we have a meeting with a colleague. I won’t bore you with all the details, but I will need you to recount your turning to the best of your ability.”

“What?” I choke out.

“I had no choice but to declare you to the paranormal council. We’re not in trouble, but they need to verify that the details I gave them are true.”

“About Cole?” I ask and gasp. “Holy shit! I said his name, and I’m not in agony.”

Novak squeezes my ass and stretches out a hand to open his office door. “That is an excellent turn of events, indeed.”

Reign and Seiran join us on our way out of the club. Novak didn’t text or call them, not that I saw, so I’m baffled how they knew it was time to leave. Maybe they head out every morning close to five. I don’t know, but I’m so exhausted, I don’t give it more than a passing thought.

The cool night air hits my skin as Novak totes me out the back door.

Something in the energy changes. My head flies up, and I try to scan to see what that feeling is.

My jaw falls when I spot the old woman from the magic shop. Okay, she has her hood up, so I don’t recognize her, but the cane gives it away.

“What the hell have you done now, Novak?” Lisette asks, gesturing at me and him with her cane.

“It doesn’t matter. They’ve done enough that my magic feels comfortable taking action.” It’s Hazel’s voice. She’s a friend from Haven, and her magic is…

Oh, shit!

Novak locks his knees, likely to keep from hitting the ground like Reign and Seiran do.

“What the bloody hell kind of magic is that, woman?” Reign growls.

My head turns to the side just in time to see him attempt to turn to smoke, but he rematerializes in the same spot.

“Hazel, no!” I squeak, stretching my legs and climbing down Novak’s front. “They saved me. No doingthe thing.”

The thingwould be her devouring their souls, but I don’t want to say it aloud because it’s a very closely guarded secret.

Hazel is the offspring of a blood witch, a sin eater, and a reaper.

Yeah, there are three parts to her recipe. Each one more dangerous than the last, and when they combined, they formed a devourer—a type of demon that can devour souls rather than reaping them for rebirth in the pit in Hell. When she feeds on someone’s soul, they simply cease to exist.

I stomp toward her with zero fear. Mostly because I babysat her and her sister when they were little, and also, those are mymatesshe’s trying to munch on.

“Stop, or I’m going to punch you in the boob,” I hiss, jabbing a finger at her chest.

Seiran and Reign release agonizing sounds that make my insides ache. Seiran’s misery floods the bond, along withNovak’s. He’s just much better at internalizing pain, I suppose, which makes me think of what he told me about his maker.

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