Page 43 of The Huntress

DISINTEGRATING LIFE

Gabriellistenedtoher,but her words didn’t alarm him. He understood what Callie was thinking, so he didn’t take her words to heart.

She was infiltrating thesuckbloodcommunity, knowing she would become a vampire like him. Her priorities would have to shift, but for now, she needed a reason to remain with him, one her partner would understand. She was walking a fine line between both worlds, yet she had no choice but to crossover. The how and when were the unknown factors. He needed her to become his sooner—his throbbing erection wouldn’t abide. He ached to hold her, to inhale her scent, to claim her, both body and soul.

There’d been only one time in his history when he’d been this tempted.

Abigail.

He hadn’t thought about her in years, and now three times in two days. The dull ache in his chest was less intrusive, as if he needn’t mourn her loss anymore. As if, at last, he was free of the guilt. She hadn’t chosen him then, preferring to lose her life than be with him. Her rejection had scarred his soul, dropped him in a morass of misery that made his violent conversion pale in comparison.

Yet here, on this day, he had spoken the Rite ofAdsumoover a woman, one whose honor and internal fire made him breathless. She’d chosen him—repeatedly—having decided he was worthy, and defended him to his brother.

His bold, fearless Callie was worth the centuries of loneliness he’d endured. Despite her blood demanding he save her, he might’ve claimed her anyway.

Could he afford to grant her a few days to think this over when it was a done deal in his mind? He sighed, vaulting in the air to trail her police vehicle. He swerved and manipulated the air currents to maintain a steady speed.

She would have the illusion of freedom—it was all he could offer her.

When he was younger, he might have held her captive, convincing her to stay after vigorous bouts of sex and copious amounts of pheromones. With Callie, he wanted her to choose him of her own free will. Once he had that, her heart would follow.

His breath caught at the idea of love.

So elusive yet yearned for, and across his long life, he’d experienced many forms of it.

Never had he wanted a woman with this intensity. Should he question it as she did?

She climbed out of the car as soon as Mike pulled up outside an apartment building.

Gabriel shrouded himself to hide from her. She mustn’t know he guarded her, not wanting her to misread his actions as a lack of trust. His warning had fallen on deaf ears. She hadn’t heard the whispered comments in the hall. Many planned to sample her blood, and along with feedings, came lust. The thought of someone other than him, feeding on her, touching her, fired fury through him. He trembled trying to contain it.

This reaction, as intense and breathtaking as it was, shouldn’t occur, not this soon. She had the right to ask for time. The madness of his emotions didn’t mean he had to leave her unprotected.

She trudged up the stairs, exhaustion dragging her feet. Locking her door behind her, as if that could keep out a vamp, she threw back a glass of scotch, peeled off her clothes, and slid between the sheets. He caught the curve of her breast and the indent of her waist before shifting shadows beneath her window drew his focus.

“You’re being an idiot.” Leo appeared beside him, staring out her balcony window.

Gabriel closed his eyes before tilting his head to look at him. “How did you know I’d be here?”

Leo pursed his lips, his eyebrow arched. “I am all-knowing?” He chuckled. “I read Callie’s intentions when she left Val.”

“She’s not taking the Rite seriously.”

“What do you expect? She’s trained to distrust instant love or lust? She’s expecting her future husband to woo her or, at least, date her.” Leo shook his head, a smile lingering. “Start with flowers, specialized daggers for her arsenal, maybe the finest bottle of scotch?”

“Buy her love?” Gabriel didn’t like that idea. Although, the possibility of her smile when she received something from him made him consider Leo’s advice.

Leo sighed as if Gabriel tested his patience. “It keeps you in her thoughts. Have you learned nothing about women?”

Gabriel grunted. “When I have an urge, I see to it.”

“You caveman.” Leo chuckled as he flicked his fingers and broke the necks of the vamps landing on her balcony. “We don’t upskill them as well as we should.”

Gabriel grunted. “They don’t fear the ancients either.”

Leo gestured to the couch behind him. “Her dad’s leather chair is quite comfortable.” He dissolved into a fine mist and passed through the glass.

With a sweeping glance at the horizon and the streets below, Gabriel ambled into her room to ensure she slept well. His phone vibrated. Leo had texted him Callie’s number. He smiled, choosing to slide down a wall until his backside hit the carpet.

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