Page 17 of Meet Your Maker: Part One

“In a sense, yes.” Her voice holds a hint of hesitation. “Do you remember Bane Sandoval?”

I think, The handsome incubus with the golden tongue? But what I say is, “My lawyer?”

“Well, yes, but also scion of his house… blah blah blah.”

“Yes, I’m aware he’s a demon, Sunday.”

She rolls her eyes. “Well, he’s also Corvus’—I mean, Virgil’s—brother, and they’ve been working with the demon underground. Seems like Vivien and Colton are fine. They’ve just been helping.”

I sit up, a frown creasing my brow. “My chyld is helping foment a demon rebellion?” She nods, but her eyes avoid mine, focused instead on examining her fingernails. I continue, “And Roxana is now in Dae, I take it?”

She exhales, a heavy sigh. “I sent a message to Bane today, told him to track them down and get their asses home ASAP. He’s gotsomeone who can make a cross-realm portal without the Council catching on.” She waves her hands in a decent imitation of a demon casting, leaving me to wonder how many of those I’ve bankrolled in the past few weeks. “So, hopefully, we’ll see them soon.”

“You should also know they may be, um… involved. I’m sorry in advance if any part of Colton has rubbed off on Vivien… or in her.” She grimaces at her own terrible joke.

If Colton Prescott smells as good as the rest of his family and possesses even a tenth of Sunday’s charm, my chyld never stood a chance. “Knowing Vivien, I’ll be the one apologizing.”

Her smile is faint, her thoughts already moving to the next subject.

“So, I wasn’t sure how vampires honor their… well, finally dead, but I had your Maker’s ashes collected. I was thinkin’, since your siblings are here, maybe we could have a ceremony for him.”

I pull her closer, pressing a kiss to her head. “That was very thoughtful. Thank you.”

“Tomas went down and retrieved them, so make sure you thank him, too.” I must tense up, because she leans back to meet my eyes.

“Tomas has been incredible. He’s looked after your interests and kept us all safe.” She pauses, waiting for a reaction. When I give her none, she nods. “And if you act like a jerk to him, I’ll be the one dragging your ancient ass behind the woodshed.”

“So violent.” I pull her across my body, positioning her so I can kiss her. “And so pretty.”Another kiss. “Do you think you’ll still have time for me with all these admirers?”

“I don’t know. Think you can make it worth my while?”

“I can certainly try.”

My fingertips trace a slow path along her thigh, the softness of her skin a tantalizing contrast to the tension buildingbeneath it. She shivers, and her scent blooms—heady and nearly irresistible. My fangs ache with the need to taste her.

Leaning in, I catch her earlobe between my teeth, nibbling gently before trailing kisses down her neck. Her skin is warm and silken, a delight to all my senses.

Her body arches into mine, a soft moan escaping her. The pulse beneath her skin flutters—it’s an irresistible invitation. Desire surges through me, relentless now. I surrender to it, piercing her flesh with my fangs. Her gasp fuels the fire in my veins as I drink, savoring the taste of her, the intimacy of this moment with my bonded.

The swish of curtains being pulled aside interrupts us before I can push it any further.

“Oh no,” Xavier says, a teasing lilt in their voice. “You’re on Sunday restriction.”

Their gaze is laser-focused, but not on me. Their nostrils flare as they track Sunday’s every move. A second later, Ben materializes behind them, his glare directed firmly at me. Before the tension can mount, Tomas appears, grabs them both by the elbows, and drags them away, muttering, “How did ‘leave them be’ translate to ‘be sure to bother them’?”

The curtains fall back into place, though not perfectly, leaving a sliver of light that paints Sunday’s fair skin with a soft pink glow. It’s mesmerizing—the delicate pulse of blood beneath her skin, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the goosebumps scattered across her flesh.

She snaps her fingers. I jump, startled. Laughter bubbles from her lips, bright and unrestrained.

“Did I lose you?”

I sigh, piercing my fingertip to heal the bite mark. Xavier’s words echo in my mind. “Tell me why I’m on restriction, Lover.”

“Oh, they were just teasing. We had a little incident this morning.”

“An incident?”

“Mhm. The sunrise caught us off guard, and… well, I needed a bit of help. Nothing to worry about.”

---