Page 80 of Curses & Keys
I shake my head. “But the timing of everything. This quest. The council. I’m scared that any chance we might have is fleeting. Here today. Gone tomorrow. I…”
He places a finger on my lips. “None of that matters. I don’t know how Gatlin or Mathias feel. It’s apparent we need to have a discussion. Regardless, I want you to know how I feel.” He takes a deep breath. “I’m all in. Give me all the complications. I can handle it. Like you, I’ve lived a long life, avoiding entanglements,and I don’t want to lose out on my first chance for something real.”
Living, not existing. Forging connections. Walking the path together. It’s terrifying and yet, oh so tempting. “I’m in.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.
He spears his hand through my hair and cups my jaw. Firm lips descend on mine, unleashing a whirlwind of sensations and need. This man kisses like he’s storming the gates. As if he’s been waiting his whole life to kiss me, and no obstacle is going to stand in his way.
40
JAMISON
Gatlin sets down his fork and folds his arms across his chest. “We need ammo and more supplies. Mathias needs sustenance. And we need to grab that weapon.”
Phaedra looks around the table. “What weapon?”
Mathias glances up at me, and I nod. “We have one of their magical knives. Like the one that killed Letz. Unfortunately, with Jamison hurt, we only had time to stash it somewhere safe.”
I’d forgotten about it. “If I can study the spell that makes it work, I might be able to reverse it.” And possibly tell which mage made it. “Where is it?”
“A locker at the airport,” Mathias states with a grimace.
“Heathrow?” Phaedra asks with a twist of her lips. “If we’re going to London, we can pick up supplies while we’re there.” She glances at Mathias. “I assume he means blood?” Her cheeks flush with pink.
Gatlin stands and picks up both his and Phaedra’s empty plates. “Yes. I get it from one of my sources so we can make sure it isn’t tainted.”
She stands and picks up a few plates. “I’ll help you with the dishes.”
Mathias scans her pink face. “Does it bother you? That I drink blood.”
“Why would it?” she asks, genuinely perplexed. “I asked because I wasn’t sure if vampires could eat or drink anything else.”
“Because you’re blushing,” Mathias says with a slight smirk.
Phaedra narrows her eyes at him, then bends over the table. Mathias’ eyes widen as her tank top dips, revealing an expansive amount of cleavage. “You told me it was pleasurable, so I assumed you preferred to drink directly from the vein. The image of you…” She doesn’t finish the sentence but instead throws him a wink and walks out of the room.
Heat fills his eyes, along with a troubled expression. “I can’t compel her.” His eyes dart to me and Hawthorne, knowing we’ll understand what that means.
I throw up a shield to keep our words from reaching the kitchen. “You’re sure?”
His jaw clenches, and he nods. “I tried twice. I’m positive. She’s my mate.”
Hawthorne frowns. “I’m not so sure. She absorbs magic. I know my empathic abilities didn’t work on her. What if the compulsion doesn’t work either?”
Mathias thinks about it. “Compulsion isn’t magic. For the same reason the enemies’ magical blue weapons don’t work on us. Vampires don’t have magic. Although it doesn’t matter. Even if she wasn’t…” His voice trails off, but it’s apparent that he’s attracted to her.
Hawthorne thrusts a hand through his hair and asks in an incredulous tone, “Damn. The three of us?”
“Does anyone know how Gatlin feels?” I ask before answering him.
“How Gatlin feels about what?” Gatlin asks in a gruff tone as he walks back into the room. Gold eyes study the three of us as he eases into one of the chairs. “What did I miss?”
“Mathias told us Phaedra is his mate,” I tell him, watching his eyes widen. “You know how Hawthorne and I feel about her. What about you?”
He lifts a shoulder. “The usual. Protective. I don’t know if I can feel that way about someone. The Magi didn’t exactly create me with that purpose in mind.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “So, you’re saying you don’t care for her in that way. You’re neutral.”
He rubs the back of his neck. “I’m saying I’ll protect her the same way I’ll protect the three of you. Why are we talking about this?” Irritation coats his every word.
