Page 1 of Forbidden Devotion
CHAPTERONE
Sinclair
Clammy palms balledat his sides, Sinclair stood outside the door to his father’s study, collecting his thoughts. He dreaded this conversation. To get what he wanted, he’d have to remain calm and focus on the part of his plan most likely to benefit the Vampire Council, over which his father, Luther Davis, presided.
Time to stand my ground. I can do this.
One last deep breath, a polite knock, and a gulp as he waited.
“Come in,” came the familiar smooth tenor from inside.
Sinclair entered, forcing his shoulders back and keeping his face neutral. “Hello, Dad.”
“Sinclair.” His father welcomed him with a nod. Seated behind a sleek black desk cluttered with papers and electronics, he looked every bit the busy CEO he was.
Luther had been turned and thus preserved at the young age of twenty-two. The fair-haired, sharp-featured vampire could be mistaken for Sinclair’s younger brother—their family resemblance was strong—but never his father. At twenty-six, Sinclair already looked older than his dad, if only by a few years, but Luther had centuries on him and all the wisdom that came with that time.
“What brings you to visit this evening?” Luther ignored the work piled in front of him and gave his son his full attention.
Sinclair shifted on his feet, his belly churning, nerves on edge.
Now or never.
“I’ve decided to attend Borson University for my PhD instead of Moore.” The words sputtered out in a rush.Slow down. Gotta stay calm.“I expect you’ll have objections, but I’ve thought this through. Borson is the best school for Historical Supernatural Studies. I was accepted last fall, and I’ve already registered. No other vampire in the council has this degree, no other vampire at all. I would be the first.”
Sinclair steeled himself to continue. He’d memorized this speech weeks ago, but when Luther cleared his throat, Sinclair’s next words died on his lips.
“Son, that’s a werewolf school. Deep in the heart of their territory.” Luther drew his golden brows together and narrowed his gaze. His stern voice matched his expression. “It’s too dangerous.”
Sinclair had prepared for this argument. “I understand your concern, but it’s safer than you realize. I’ll be part of an excellent exchange program. And it’ll do the council good to have a delegate placed at Borson. Plus, it’s a quality academy with a fine reputation, werewolves notwithstanding.”
Luther scoffed and rose from his seat. At nearly six feet, he stood taller than his son by several inches. “The answer is no, Sinclair. You’ll attend Moore as planned. ” He circled the desk and approached. “I don’t appreciate you addressing this at the last minute. Did you think that by waiting until now, you’d stand a better chance?”
“Um, yes, actually.” A stubborn edge clung to Sinclair’s voice. “But more to the point, I’m an adult. I no longer require your permission when the council’s permission supersedes it. And I think they’ll grant my request. I told you first as a courtesy, but the petition has already been submitted. The discussion will be on the docket for tonight’s meeting.”
Luther pressed his lips to a thin line.
Sinclair’s resolve wavered under his father’s disapproving glower.
“You’re certain this is what you wish?”
He was. He’d made the decision months ago and put off telling his family because he hated to disappoint them. Again. “Moore doesn’t offer the courses I require, and the council doesn’t need another finance major. It needs a historian.” Point made, he relaxed his shoulders, some of the tension draining out of him.
With an irritated sigh, his father’s gaze drifted from Sinclair to the window. “You’d do this to your mother?”
Uh-oh. Pulling out the big guns.
“You know she'll worry herself sick. At least accept the transition first, so you won’t be vulnerable. Let us turn you. You’ve delayed too long. There are no other living vampires your age.”
Their eyes met. Guilt and desperation warred with the desire to defend himself. His choices. Sinclair wasn’t ready to die for immortality. He liked his living body. He loved eating food. And he enjoyed the little things, like not burning to ash in the sunlight. He’d hold on to it as long as he could, thank you very much. Being a living vampire had its advantages, even if his father was too ancient to grasp them anymore.
Sinclair ignored the tired issue. “I’ll keep in close touch with Mom, I promise. I won’t let her worry. Look, Dad, this is a rare opportunity. Vampires don’t get accepted to Borson. Think of how much I’ll learn in the exchange program. Only four students were selected. It’s an honor.”
When his dad didn’t respond, Sinclair blazed on. “Besides, I have to go. I’ve already accepted the invitation. There’s no alternate to take my place. It would be rude to refuse after that.”
“You have me in a corner, then.” His dad’s gaze settled on him like a physical weight. Sinclair fought not to flinch. His father wasn’t a harsh man, but everyone had their limits, and the head of the Vampire Council didn’t tolerate werewolves lightly. “Why bother to ask at all?”
“I was hoping you’d come to a different conclusion. I thought maybe you’d be proud.” Sinclair stared at his feet.
