Page 35 of Claim of Blood
He accepted. Claudia’s face filled the screen—blinding pink hair framing classically Roman features: strong nose, dark eyes, cheekbones that had inspired a hundred painters. He was fairly certain it had been a more natural red the last time they’d spoken. Behind her, the glass curve of the Vancouver Aquarium shimmered.
“Brother!” she practically bounced in place. “You finally did it! You claimed someone! A hunter! This is amazing! Are you going mad with possession yet? Johan said the first month was the worst—or the best, depending how you look at it. Is he pretty? He must be pretty. You always did have excellent taste. When can I meet him? Oh! We’ll come for Solstice! We were going to skip this year because Nico wanted to chase the auroras in Svalbard, but this is much more interesting!”
Adam couldn’t help it—he laughed. Of course, she’d called Johan first. Claudia always liked her facts straight before launching into her interrogations.
“How long after hearing the rumor did you wait before calling Johan?”
“Twelve seconds!” She beamed. “I needed details, brother. Johan said the possessiveness was quite intense at first. Are you experiencing that? The need to keep him close? Oh! And what about the displaying? Johan said that was unexpected—is that why everyone felt your power surge? Were you showing off your claim?”
“Chasing auroras? Really?” Adam tried dryly, hoping to redirect.
“You’re no fun at all,” she declared, waving a dismissive hand. “They’re incredible! You stand on a frozen lake, the sky alive with color, ice cracking beneath your boots like the world’s trying to wake up. And if you take the right mushrooms, it’s like watching the gods dance.”
She leaned closer to the camera, conspiratorial. “Besides, you never know who you’ll meet out there. The wild ones hide where civilization thins.”
Adam smiled faintly. That part, at least, he believed. It was exactly in those places—the last vestiges of wilderness—that Claudia had found most of her Court. Travelers who never returned to their families. Some were reported missing, but they weren’t truly lost. He’d always assumed Claudia lured them like a siren. But maybe they’d found her. Maybe they’d recognized something wild in her and decided to follow.
“I’m plenty of fun,” Adam said, “just not at temperatures where Fahrenheit and Celsius agree.”
Claudia grinned. “Now, no more stalling. Tell me everything about your hunter. Is he there? Can I see him? Why isn’t he with you?”
Her dark eyes glittered—relentless.
“He’s sleeping,” Adam said, glancing at the feed. Still unmoved.
Her energy shifted. “How much blood did you take?”
“What?”
“Blood, brother. Johan and Elisabeth exchanged it constantly during their claiming—oh, the stories were scandalous.” Mischief flashed in her eyes before narrowing again. “But your little lamb can only give, can’t he? He has no way to take back what you’ve drawn.”
The words struck like a blow.
Adam looked back at the screen, but this time he truly saw it: Leo, unmoved, pale, too still.
He should have thought of that. Should have measured the risk. But all he’d done was take—again and again—until Leo lay boneless and silent.
Claudia’s laugh tinkled across the line. “Oh, look at you. The mighty Amenemhat, swept away by passion.”
“This isn’t amusing.”
“Calm down. Just summon a witch to check on him. He probably just needs fluids. Humans are remarkably resilient—even if they’re distressingly fragile.”
“I’ll do that immediately.” Adam was already reaching for his second phone. “Farewell, Claudia.”
“We’ll see you at Solstice!” she chirped. “Tell your little lamb I can’t wait to meet him.”
The screen went dark.
Adam exhaled, already dialing Emilia. She answered on the first ring.
“Adam,” she greeted, voice warm. “This is unexpected.”
“I need a witch to examine Leo. I expect he’s only tired, but my sister suggests I may have... erred.”
“Ah.” He could hear her smile. “I have someone perfect. Dr. Elias Wright. Powerful witch. Medical doctor. Pediatric specialty, but excellent with trauma cases.”
“Pediatric.”
