Page 53 of Crimson Born

Then he turned and walked back toward his company, throwing parting words over his shoulder like a handful of empty peanut shells.

“I’ve got to get back to my brothers.”

21

Alternative

It had to be Imogen.

Shewas the one who’d recruited Reece into the Bloodbound—I knew it. She was punishing me for my “disobedience” by forcing Reece into a life of servitude and celibacy.

But how? What had she promised him to make him do such an about-face?

What had she threatened?

There was only one way to find out. I went to her chambers unannounced and banged on the heavy wooden door.

There was no answer, so I pounded on it a second time.

A Bloodbound guard opened it. He was shirtless. And sweating.

His pants were slung low on his hips as if he’d pulled them on hurriedly.

“Oh... I...” My cheeks went up in flames.

Stumbling back a few steps, I looked past the guard through the open doorway. Imogen was stretched across her large, luxurious looking bed with a sheet draped over her body. She propped herself on one elbow and gave me a knowing smile.

“Do come in dear. It must be important for you to arrive unannounced and uninvited.”

“No... I... I’ll come back later. I’m sorry to disturb you.”

She sat up, tucking the sheet around herself before sliding off the bed. “Don’t be silly. Stay.”

Sauntering toward us, she stopped just beside the shirtless guard and ran her long nails down his arm, scoring the skin with raised red welts.

He didn’t flinch, but I did.

In an overly solicitous tone, Imogen said, “You’re not disturbing me. You’re my daughter. I’m always available to attend tofamily.”

Then she gave the guard a shove, pushing him through the doorway. “Leave us. But come back later. I’m not finished with you.”

Without a word he walked barefoot down the stone corridor and rounded a corner out of sight.

I was frozen in place as an alarming idea struck me. Were the Bloodboundmorethan just protectors of the Bastion and Imogen’s loyal soldiers?

When I thought about it, Kannon hadn’t said their vows included celibacy specifically. He’d said they were forbidden to take a mate. Those two were not necessarily the same thing.

Many of the vampires here had mated up—permanent partners for eternity. Others, like Heather, played the field.

As strong and attractive as they all were, the Bloodbound were a frequent topic of conversation for the single girls here—some of my friends even flirted with them—but everyone knew they were off limits.

Apparently they were off limits to everyone but Imogen.

“Well don’t just stand there,” she said. “Come in and close the door. It’s obvious you have something to say.”

The self-satisfied look she gave me just then told me all I needed to know.

Yes, she had conscripted Reece into the Bloodbound to punish me—but she also wanted him for herself.

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