Page 36 of Blood Moon Heat

I felt her looking at me, but if I looked down at her now, in this place, I would give myself away. I would prove she was the weakness they were looking for.

“Do you understand?” I said again, needing to know she understood.

“Yes.”

Her voice sounded small. Mina didn’t do that—she didn’t make herself small, not in the face of the monster she’d been forced to bond with, not for anyone. I didn’t fucking like that either.

The doors slid open and I let ice fill my veins as I took her hand and led her into the elders’ domain. The room was large, with five doors leading to each of their offices. Cressida, the prime’s secretary, sat at her desk in front of his door and glanced up, a cool smile on her face.

Not good. I hadn’t expected this meeting to be with the prime. I never would have let Mina come with me tonight if I’d known. Only I dealt with the prime directly when there were special missions. Most of our orders came from lesser elders or the vampire court.

This had just become far more dangerous. “I’m expected,” I said, my voice frigid. She nodded, hitting a button on her desk to let me into his office. “Mina, stay out here with Cressida.”

Cressida’s smile brightened, eyeing Mina like the vapid piranha she was. “The prime would like to meet her.”

Every muscle in my body tightened, but I carefully maintained my unaffected expression as I strode up to the door. Fuck, he had been watching. She’d been seen.

Mina’s fingers tightened around mine, seeking reassurance, something I couldn’t give her in this place, not with the sharks circling. She squeezed my hand again, and my abdominals clenched like they had earlier, that warmth in my chest returning even stronger than before. I couldn’t be warm, not here.

Opening the door, I led Mina in. It was dimly lit like it always was. The ever-present musty, cloying smell filled the room. I didn’t need to breathe, and when I was here, chose not to. Mina made a low choking sound at my side, and I squeezed her hand, telling her without words to hold it down.

“Nero,” a gravelly voice said.

Mina’s gasp was low, but I heard it, which meant the prime had as well. His milky gaze slid to her.

The ancient vampire smiled, flashing yellowed fangs. “What do we have here?”

“Prime,” I said, inclining my head. “May I introduce you to my bonded, Mina Kossek,” I said, giving her my name to make sure he understood that she was my property and not something he could have or add to his collections.

“Mina,” he said drawing out her name, then licking his lips. “Come here, female.”

Fuck.

She looked up at me, terror in her eyes, and I nodded. I wanted to fucking snarl, to yank her behind me, but showing this male any sign of the possessiveness I felt for her, and how weak she made me, would mean I became this fucker’s puppet.

“Nero?” she whispered.

“Go,” I said coolly and released her hand, yet I felt anything but cool. I was fucking burning up.

Mina walked to him, trembling. My fangs tingled, and it was only age and control that kept them from sliding down.

The prime grabbed her hips when she reached him, squeezing her flesh, then leaned in and scented her. “You haven’t fucked her yet, Nero?”

“Not yet, no.” Fuck. He could smell the truth on her. I couldn’t lie.

“Why?” he asked, his milky gaze sliding back to me.

Any answer I gave would prove she had quickly taken ownership of my fucking spine. “I’m in no hurry,” I said.

He released Mina’s hips and sat back, his gaze sliding down her bare legs.

“Come here, Mina,” I said, and she rushed to my side.

The prime’s gaze sliced to me, narrowing. I should have said nothing, but I couldn’t fucking stop myself. The only reason he didn’t call me on it now was because he wanted me to do something for him. An urgent assignment.

“Go and wait for me in the main office,” I said. I needed her out of this room. What had I been thinking? I should have never let her leave my apartment. I should have made Pretender lock the doors when I got out of the car. As soon as she stepped into that parking lot, the prime had seen her. I’d fucked up in a way I couldn’t take back. Already the male behind that desk would be plotting.

She rushed out.

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