Page 22 of Meet Your Maker: Part One

“Acknowledging your bloodthirst is the first step, Xavier. And who knows—tonight might offer a chance to satisfy your jaguar.”

“We can only hope.”

“Could you be happy with just Sunday and Ben?”

I groan, dropping my face into my hands. “Eventually, sure. I’m lucky to have any of them, let alone two. Three is just plain greedy.”

“I don’t think it’s greedy. I think it’s… a testament to the strength of your bond with him. It’s not easy to let go of something so powerful.”

I give Val what I hope is a grateful smile. She glances across the room at the two vampires.

“May I offer you advice?”

“What’s that?”

“Do not underestimate my uncle. Stay on his good side. He’s survived many attempts on his life and has only grown more powerful.”

“Who said anything about an attempt on his life?” In my mind, Rurik’s head rolls across the red-tiled balcony, the punchline to a dark joke. My cat is sassy as fuck today.

Val smirks, then rises to her feet and lays a hand on my shoulder. “You have daggers in your eyes, and they’re all for him. He can be a powerful ally for Sunday or a very dangerous enemy for us all. I know which one I hope House Marchese will choose.”

“Fine. I’ll keep my daggers sheathed. And you’ll wait until tomorrow night before you decide?”

“We have a deal, my friend.”

Grayson approaches, smiles at Val, and lifts his index finger, a clear signal for me to stand. I turn in the armchair, kicking my legs over the armrest. I’m not making it easy for anyone. He shakes his head in mock disappointment, lifts me effortlessly, and takes the chair. I’m deposited back on his lap, and my jaguar immediately settles into a lengthy grooming session.

“You’re making me look bad in front of the other vampires,” he jokes, his breath warm in my ear. “How can I command their respect when my little shifter is such a brat?” He nips my ear, sending a full-body shiver through me.

“Sounds like a you problem, not a me problem.”

“Does it?” He gives me an assessing look, one eyebrow raised. He’s acting nonchalant, but he’s holding me so tightly I imagine it would hurt a human. I like it. I like that he feels a little desperate, a little needy. I do, too.

“We killed all the listening devices in here during our last stay, didn’t we?” Grayson’s voice reverberates through his chest and into mine as his eyes scan the room. I let myself be cuddled like a kitten, enjoying this new affectionate Gray far more than I want to admit.

Shit, he’s talking to me, isn’t he? “Yes… assuming she didn’t send anyone to fix them. The one over the door was the last one left.”

Tomas’ eyes light up, and he moves to dismantle the nearest fire alarm, clearly in his element. He saunters off with a spring in his step, whipping a chair around and placing it under the device. Aww, he looks so happy.

The door to the balcony swings open, and Sunday strides back into the room, her expression a mask of controlled determination. Rurik follows, irritation flickering across his face before it smooths into that practiced vampire blankness.

He grabs Sunday’s elbow, and she spins around, her fists clenched, hair crackling with zips of blue magic. She’s pissed. I hop off Gray’s lap, all fun and flirtation forgotten.

“You have my support,” Rurik says, his voice hard. “But this plan will tear itself apart. You can’t expect centuries of hate to vanish just because you ask nicely.”

Sunday steps closer, her voice unwavering. “I believe in this, Rurik. And it’s my decision. I’m sorry that’s so very hard for you.”

The vampire mask slips, and worry creases his face. His voice turns pleading. “We can make changes, Sunday—incremental ones. You’re rushing headlong into this.”

“I don’t have an eternity to wait. There are displaced beings all over the world. They need help now, not in a decade.”

Rurik sighs, tension visible in his shoulders. “Solnyshko, please. Let’s deal with the former Empress first. Let’s clear the decks before we start another battle.” She holds his gaze untilhe mutters under his breath, “So incredibly stubborn… Don’t expect me to clean up your mess while you’re across the ocean enjoying your domestic bliss.”

He’s right. She is stubborn and idealistic. But I wouldn’t have her any other way.

A thrill of anticipation courses through me, and my jaguar growls low in my chest, eager for the coming conflict, eager to show the world what we’ll do for her. As the door slams behind Rurik, my claws extend involuntarily, then retract, leaving behind a faint tingling sensation.

Chapter Nine

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