Page 64 of Gray
“Something like that.”
The vampire’s purple eyes then moved to me. “I apologize for Nick’s behavior at the door. All are welcome here. You included. I only ask that you pay me and my kind the same respect while you’re within these walls.”
I didn’t know what to make of him—or any of this for that matter. Vampires feeding but not killing while they did? Werewolves, demons, and god knew what else all mingling under the same roof? Two years within this supernatural world, and I’d seen nothing but evil when dealing with monsters.
Had I been wrong?
“You weren’t wrong,” Konnar said. “Yet, you weren’t quite right either.”
“You can read minds?”
“I don’t need to. It’s written all over your face, hunter. Now.” He turned to Alastair. “Please follow me. We should speak somewhere private.”
Chapter Nine
Gray
Konnar led us to a room in the back of the club. The extravagant lounge had its own private bar, but I was more excited about the assortment of comfy couches. I hopped on one and rolled around on the cushions, then looked up at Mason.
The tension smoothed from his face. “You make yourself at home anywhere, don’t you?”
“Yep.” I patted the spot beside me. “And I need my comfy pillow.”
Though faint, he smiled and sat down. I looped my arm through his and rested my head on his shoulder. Our palms slid together, fingers entwining. Touching him was automatic.
“Are you okay?” I whispered.
Mason’s body slightly tensed. He didn’t say anything. Maybe he couldn’t find the words.
Seeing the club was a shock to him, just as I knew it would be, but he was keeping himself together pretty well. On edge, sure, but he hadn’t attacked anyone yet or stormed out in a fit of anger. I was proud of him.
While the others entered the room and found their seats, I tried not to dwell on how I’d admitted that stuff to Mason earlier. Fated mate connections weren’t the same for everyone. Sometimes you felt them instantly, other times the feeling strengthened with time. Some connections started small, like the flame of a candle. In my case, it was a freaking inferno.
I was too nervous to tell him he was my mate. His reaction to me saying I liked him didn’t bode well. Did he feel nothing for me?
Simon sat beside Galen, and Clara cozied up to Raiden, who eyed the dish of fancy wrapped chocolates on the table in front of him. Alastair took the chair beside Konnar. Bellamy reclined on the couch opposite mine.
“Would you like anything to drink?” Konnar asked, motioning to the bar.
“I’ll take a gin and tonic,” Alastair said. “With a dash of ambrosia.”
Galen ordered a beer while Raiden asked for a tequila sunrise. I didn’t want anything. Alcohol made me sleepy sometimes. Clara and Simon got a glass of red wine each. Mason shook his head when the bartender asked for his order. He probably didn’t trust them enough to drink anything that came from the bar.
“Sex on the beach for me,” Bellamy said.
“Coming right up.” Michael, the bartender, winked at him. A good call to have him there. He was part of our inner circle there at Krave, so anything said in the lounge would remain between us.
Once everyone had their drinks, Konnar crossed a leg over the other and lit up a cigar, a picture of poise. No wonder he and Alastair were friends. They acted so much alike. Dignified gentlemen and all that.
“I assume you didn’t ask us here for drinks and cigars,” Alastair said.
“Although I quite enjoy your company, you’re correct.” Konnar exhaled a cloud of smoke. I had always loved the smell of cigars. Especially the expensive ones he smoked. “I’m afraid my time of being neutral in this conflict is nearly at an end.”
Ever since Asa surfaced and began building his army, Konnar had stayed out of it. He didn’t want to involve his people in the war. However, he loved humanity. It was why he’d worked so hard over the past few decades to make Echo Bay a safe haven for not only non-humans but humans too.
“Shit,”Raiden said telepathically.“You think he’s about to tell us he’s gonna join Asa?”
“Don’t be foolish,”Alastair responded.“He would never.”
