Page 13 of Bound in Blood

Her slender throat works as she swallows. She doesn’t answer, but she doesn’t need to.

“A bond is a powerful thing, Ophelia. It tricks the brain into believing all manner of things that are not true. For instance, leading you to believe that the mere chemical reaction that comes with sharing a vampire’s blood is something deep and meaningful.”

“It fucking is,” I say, snarling, and Giorgios glares in my direction.

Xavier, he’s going to tear your fucking head off if you don’t stop. Now, for the love of fuck, calm down.Malachi growls the warning in my head.

But my heart is racing and blood is rushing in my ears.Do you really expect me to sit here and listen to this shit? Let him fill her head with this shit?

She doesn’t believe it, and you know it. Just let him say his piece and we can get out of here.

“Regardless, Xavier, it is what many of our kind hold to be true.” Giorgios redirects his attention to Ophelia. “That what you believe to be love or fate is merely vampire evolution at work in its purest form. Both vampire and elementai are slaves to the bond once it is in place, and blood is the drug which feeds the addiction. With Alexandros gone and your bond severed, there is space for a new bond. A newlovefor whom you would burn the world to ash if he asked you nicely enough.”

“The fuck she would,” Axl snaps, but Giorgios keeps his attention on Ophelia.

Her lip trembles, and she shakes her head. “No. It’s not only a vampire blood thing. It’s real. I love them. He loved me. They love me.”

Yes we fucking do. Who the fuck does he think he is trying to convince her otherwise?

Giorgios’s smug, patronizing smile makes me wants to punch his fangs down his throat. “I am sure that is also true, sweet Ophelia. Which is why you cannot trust anyone but the people in this room. Do you understand me?”

She nods, her lip still quivering.

He straightens his jacket. “Lunch will be served in the dining room at one. Fresh human blood is delivered here every day at noon.” Without a backward glance, he strides from the room, and as soon as he’s gone, Ophelia looks between the three of us, her eyes wet with tears.

I speak before she has a chance to. “He was fucking wrong, Cupcake. We all love you. We fucking adore you, and Alexandros did too. If you believe anything in your entire life, then please believe that.”

She nods, a shaky smile spreading over her lips. “I do believe that.”

Axl kisses her forehead. “Good girl,” he mumbles.

Malachi squeezes her tighter and taps her on the thigh. “I think we should check out this library. It will give us something to focus on.”

I look to Axl. Books have never really been our thing. “Maybe you and I should check this place out a little more? See what we’re dealing with?”

He nods his agreement, and we jump up, eager to be doing something productive. I kiss Ophelia and lick the salty residue from her lips. “No more tears today, okay, Cupcake? We’re gonna fix everything, all right?” I don’t believe it for a second, but it breaks my heart to see her cry.

She nods. “Promise.”

Axl and I leave the study and go in search of an exit. “Can you believe that shit?” he growls as soon as we’re out of earshot. “Trying to convince her we don’t love her. That Alexandros didn’t love her. What the fuck!”

“I know, but she doesn’t believe it,” I assure him.

He swallows hard and opens and closes his mouth a few times before he finally says, “Do you?” He speaks quietly, like he’s ashamed to say the words.

As he fucking should be. I stop in my tracks and glare at him. “What the fuck, Axl?”

He closes his eyes and blows out a breath. “Do you think this could be some weird ancient vampire mumbo jumbo? Because the way I feel about her, Xavier, it’s unnatural. I’m obsessed with her. And I’m more terrified by the thought of leaving her alone than I am of fucking dying. Is that fucking normal?”

I slap the back of his head. “No, it’s not fucking normal, dickface. It’s love. All-consuming, life-altering, soul-shattering love.”

He nods and looks away as his eyes glisten with tears. “I don’t want to lose her. I can’t even think about losing her without losing my ability to fucking breathe.”

Holy fucking shit, this hurts like a motherfucker. “We’re not gonna lose her,” I say, making a promise I have no idea how to keep.

I throw an arm around his shoulder, and we step outside into a courtyard. I look up to the sky. Not knowing who or what is up there, I make them an oath: Let me keep her and I will do anything you want. Anything. Because Ophelia Hart is ours, and we will not fucking lose her.

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