Page 37 of Bitten

Because there was no way he was getting anything done with a half hard-on and thoughts of bedding his guard as soon as possible.

Looking back to his book, he tried to read more of the most boring ancient text he’d ever read in his life—a dictionary of ancient immortal beings. He trailed a finger back to where he’d left off.

Dhagyn (Day-gôn) rare A human-witch, dragon hybrid creature.; first attributed in written histories in the Year of the Witch 4572, with the first borne to Asklvegarde the Murderous and the witch-born, Tetramonia.

The Dhagyn exhibits similar traits of the dragon shifter, only in lesser size. Most never reach a height greater than ten to fifteen feet. Magical abilities are also said to be lesser than the dragon, but often greater than witch. Tends to be more docile than dragon shifters.

Often reaching old age somewhere between the third and fifth century of life, the Dhagyn typically draws its final breath before erupting into flame.

Erupting into flame? What a way to go out. Caelian lifted his stare to the guard’s back and felt quite a bit like he could erupt into flame himself.

He lowered his head and found his spot again. After the Dhagyn was the Dhampir. As he read, he slowly began to sit up a little straighter.

Dhampir (dam-pier) extremely rare A human-vampire hybrid creature; typically, a male vampire father, with a human mother. Dhampirs are not made, but born, making them extremely rare. Only newly made vampires can conceive, while their bodies still have remnants of human seed or eggs remaining.

Caelian sat back in his chair a moment, his mind spinning as he read the rest of the entry. As soon as he was done, he needed to know more. He rose from his seat, off to search for every book he could find that would give him more information.

Are you my needle, Mr. Dhampir?

* * * *

The sun had set hours ago—Kane could feel it in his blood—and still the little bookworm read. Caelian’s full attention was in his books. He’d eaten up page after page, racing about the library in search of more books.

Kane had followed and watched, trying not to get too close. Trying not to draw in that scent.

Trying not to feel the rapid beating of his supposedly dead heart.

It was late.

And for once in twenty years, he felt something he hadn’t felt in years.

Hunger.

Not just for the little witch-fae-elf-whatever… Caelian was. Oh, he hungered for the male, but he wanted… he wanted a fucking cheeseburger, with fried onions and ketchup… and some French fries. A milkshake, one so thick you had to suck the straw so hard your ears popped. He wanted food. It hadn’t been much more than a pain in the ass necessity for twenty years… he’d eat a small amount of protein every three to four days and be done with it. Now he felt like he could devour a table full of greasy food and still be hungry for more.

What the actual fuck?

He’d felt the hunger all day—had ever since he’d stepped foot in front of Caelian. Where he found himself again. He gazed down at the male, perturbed the guy so easily ignored him. “Ready to go?” Kane asked. He’d felt that hunger, and the lust, and the guilt—thinking of Ralnur, too—and it wasn’t sitting well on him.

Caelian’s gorgeous golden stare lifted to meet Kane’s. He frowned, and Kane couldn’t help but love the little crinkle between his dark brows. “What time is it?”

“Well after nine,” Kane said.

“Damn,” Caelian said, shaking his head. He closed the book he’d been reading. “I lost track of time.” After rising and collecting a stack of books from the table, he wandered back through the library, re-shelving the tomes one by one.

“Can’t you do that tomorrow?”

“No, he can’t,” the elderly librarian said as he scooted past, pushing a cart.

Kane sighed.

Caelian turned to look at him before turning to slide another book to the shelf. “What’s your name?”

“Does it matter?” Kane asked. He couldn’t let this become a thing. He was already fighting the attraction to one mate. Now two? It was impossible—and he couldn’t endanger one more person.

He couldn’t.

“No. It doesn’t. Unless you want me calling you ‘Hey You’ for the rest of the night,” Caelian said before walking away to replace another old tome.

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