Page 21 of Meet Your Maker: Part One

I glance back. Being away from them makes the darkness feel closer, harder to push down. Doubts creep in, gnawing at everything we’ve been building—and I hate it. No matter how many times I tell myself things are fine, I just don’t feel fine. My gaze shifts to Sunday, and I steady. I don’t want to drift too far from that, too far from them.

Then I follow Stefan out the door.

Chapter Eight

Thirst and Consequence

— Xavier —

Rurik isn’t the worst vampire I’ve ever met, but if he were on fire, I’d take my time finding a hose. He’s just so… presumptuous about Dominga. I hated the fake dates, and I hate that he’s the one who gets to turn her if things go sideways—because something is always going sideways.

If she has to choose someone, why can’t it be Gray or Val? It’s bullshit that they’re both out of the running.

What if something happens, and Sunday has to go to Volga indefinitely—or at least until she stops draining every living thing in sight?

I’ve only seen one newly turned vamp, and he was a whole floorshow and a lap dance worth of crazy. We’ll be separated—everyone in Mississippi with Mishka and the twins, while Gray or Tomas follows Sunday to Volga. I don’t like the idea of either of them being somewhere I can’t see them, doing vampire shit for Goddess knows how long.

Would Sunday be mad if I accidentally-on-purpose removed Volga’s head?Probably. My shadow cat offers a slow-motion reel of Rurik’s head rolling across the floor, and I chuckle.

There has to be someone else Grayson trusts in North America. Volga can’t be the best option. Anxiety chews at the edges of my composure, threatening to overwhelm me. Usually, I can keep it buried, but not today. After last night and the many ways everything almost went wrong—it’s all too close to thesurface. My jaguar’s on edge, too, pacing in my mind, ready to pounce at any shadow. It’s hard to keep him calm, to keep myself from overreacting.

Val appears behind me. “There are too many people in here.”

“Hard agree.”

“How are you, Xavier? Have you…” She searches for a word. “Reconnected with your mate?”

“He’s mostly been with Sunday, but it’s okay.” And to my amazement, it actually is. I can feel her happiness—she shares it freely. For once, I’m not jealous. Instead, I feel a kind of referred joy. Plus, snuggling with Ben last night? He could never be a consolation prize.

She nods. “And yet, you feel restless.”

She’s still tuned into my emotions from the copious amounts of her blood it took to save me. “I’m tired of Volga. And, no offense, but I’m tired of vampire shit.” Exhausted by it, really—I just want this whole night, this whole month, behind us.

“By tomorrow night, most of them will be gone.” She sinks to her knees so she’s closer to my ear. Together, we watch Rurik gesturing animatedly at Sunday through the glass doors. Sunday, phone pressed between her ear and shoulder, nods along, occasionally raising a hand to shush Rurik while she listens to her father. Grayson and Aiden speak in low murmurs, occasionally punctuated by Tomas’ forced chuckle.

“May I share something with you?” Val’s voice is soft, hesitant.

I turn, giving her my full attention. “Always.”

She accepts that with a curt nod and half smile. “I am very anxious. Aiden has offered to take me back to Hibernia…” I open my mouth to argue, but she cuts me off. “…and I know Gretchen would like to see me home again. But I’ve enjoyed the last few weeks more than any time since my turning. It’s been exciting to be part of something, to have… friends.” She pauses, then adds, almost shyly, “I stopped smoking.

I give her a delicate sniff—much improved. She smiles, dipping her head, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. Then her expression turns serious again.

“Now that Grayson has returned…” She shifts nervously, her gaze flicking to her Maker across the room. “Do you think you will still need me?”

“I seem to remember you making a very serious oath to the head of our house. Birds were pecking away at your innards, there were chains…”

“Well, yes, but she’s not a vampire, and he is—a very ancient one, not known for keeping a large entourage.”

“I think you’re worrying about nothing, but I’ll ask around. Do me a favor and don’t give Hibernia an answer tonight, okay?”

“It can certainly wait a night.”

Gray and Tomas continue their strange dance—like they’re trying to avoid stepping on each other’s toes but also kinda want to bump into each other. It’s awkward as hell, but also kinda hot. There’s definitely some unspoken shit going on there.

I lean toward Val, whispering, “I’ll share something, too.” She moves closer, fully aware of how good everyone’s hearing is.

“I’m not sure Gray will want to fix our bond, and it’s making my jaguar crazy. He wants to rip something, or someone, apart.”

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