Page 37 of Claim of Blood
“I did not choose my Claim,” he said, voice steady as stone, “but I would have it no other way.”
The air shifted—charged and waiting.
“Leo may have been a hunter once,” he continued, each word deliberate, “but he is now more. He is mine.”
The crack that split the railing under his hand was audible. Power rolled off him—immediate, ancient, undeniable. Gasps shivered through the crowd as the murmurs vanished like smoke. He reined it back with care, deliberate and controlled.
“Are there any other questions?”
For a moment, there was only silence. Then Jason—young, newly turned—lifted a tentative hand. “Is it true there are hunters in Innsbrook?”
As if summoned by the question, the front doors burst open. Nathaniel strode in like a storm given shape, his wolf just under his skin.
“Not anymore,” he announced with casual satisfaction. “They’re bugging out as we speak.”
He paused, glancing over his shoulder. “Adam, does this witch belong to you? Found him outside, looking rather lost.”
The figure who followed looked like he might faint. Young, flushed, wide-eyed—pulse visible in his throat.
“Dr. Elias Wright,” he blurted. “Emilia sent me?”
Adam’s gaze drifted across the gathering until it found Lander, who hovered at the edge, arms folded, scowling.
For reasons he didn’t fully understand, Lander was the only one he trusted near Leo right now. Maybe it was the quietcompetence. Maybe it was that Lander hadn’t flinched under pressure—or that he’d already been pulled into the gravity of the bond and hadn’t run.
Or maybe it was just instinct.
“Lander, take Dr. Wright to Leo,” Adam said calmly. It wasn’t a request.
The murmurs started again, speculative now, brushing the edge of alarm. Adam raised his hand.
“A precaution,” he said, brooking no argument. “Suggested by Claudia.”
That earned silence. No one wanted to second-guess Claudia. Not twice.
Lander moved at once, leading the flustered witch up the stairs. Nathaniel watched them go, blue eyes bright with something Adam couldn’t name.
“Court dismissed.”
The vampires bowed or inclined their heads. The humans lingered until Gaspard gave them a quiet, “You’re dismissed.”
They scattered—still uneasy, but determined.
Nathaniel turned to his pack members. “Alright, you nosy bastards. Clear out.”
Adam gestured for Nathaniel to join him upstairs. Oren materialized beside them, silent as always. Adam didn’t bother pretending to be surprised.
“Who’s the doctor?” Nathaniel asked as they climbed.
“New with the Porte du Coeur coven. Pediatric specialty. That’s all I know.”
Nathaniel’s gaze drifted toward the third floor. “Kid looked lost.”
“Why the interest?” Adam asked.
Nathaniel shrugged, broad shoulders rolling. “Just worried. That’s all.”
They stepped into Adam’s office, the heavy door closing behind them. Privacy, at last. The three of them settled into oversized chairs built for shifters, though Nathaniel’s still creaked ominously.
