Page 63 of Little Mate

A real genuine one that lights up her face. They’re connected.

I hear the voice in my mind and tilt my head, eyes widening as rationality merges with awe. Marcia spoke to me telepathically. She trusts me enough to do so. They are. I’m hoping she hears that and a second later she claps, catching the attention of Theo.

He doesn’t ask what’s happening, but I have a feeling he knows, and our bond is happy.

“Mate.”

“Mate.” Meera and Tero whisper in unison, bringing our attention back to them. She pulls him up and into an embrace, nodding in silent acceptance.

Guess I don’t need to ask her to come be my assistant back on Theo’s territory.

“I’d be happy to help as well.” Marcia’s voice comes through, so timid and shy. She’s a few years younger than me, not by much, but still needs guidance. “If you’d like. In between training, that is. Tero would kill me if I abandon that.”

“Then we have a deal.”

“Yeah?” She smiles a little bigger, the charming scales of her cobra flashing in appreciation. “For real?”

“Yes. You learn to shift while I practice a few spells.”

“Like an accountability partner?”

“Exactly like one.”

19

THEODORE ASTOR

VAMPIRE KING

“State your name and business for being on the Moore property,” Tero asks, circling around the bound man. We’re back home and in my prison, my guests all standing beside me as a half-shifted python interrogates the asshole.

Both men were a part of King Larue’s army, their clothing indicating that they’re assassins for the fae crown. One is alive, the other no longer breathing.

“I don’t answer to…fuck!” The man to the left curses, spitting out two knocked-out teeth from Tero’s fist, the scales on his hand now covered in the blue blood that indicates their species.

“Last chance to play nice and answer; my boss doesn’t appreciate disrespect.”

“Fuck you and your boss. Our king is the one true ruler of all.”

“Is that so?” I step into the only source of light in the room, a beam of sunlight that comes from a tiny window with a very specific view. There’s a tree there, tall and leafless with a single corpse hanging from the tallest branch—his companion. He’s already shared so much. Had no real backbone once introduced to the kind of pain I can produce. “Please do tell me more about this one true king.”

“I won’t. You might as well kill me now.”

“Or maybe I can share a story with you while my friend here teaches you about pain.” Turning to Xadiel, I point to the large bucket near his feet. It’s empty now, but history has proven time and time again that those under high duress can’t control their bodily functions. The werewolf does so without pause, his understanding and mine tenuous, yet works. What matters are the sisters and keeping them happy. The need of a mate will always come first, even if in private we’ll come to blows eventually. “Thank you.”

“Always glad to help.” The deep timbre of his voice resonates throughout the small cement room, and my guest shakes in fear. Interesting.

“Let us begin.” Tero fully shifts then; his large reptile form half coils on the ground while the upper sits high enough to stare the idiot in the face. Eye to eye. “Your name is Henri, age twenty-eight, and you’re a high-ranking member of Larue’s guard. His puppet.”

“I’m not…merde!” His shout of pain brings a smile to my face. Tero lands the first bite to his thigh, digging his teeth in deep before yanking back. A chunk lands on the ground, the cold splat and flowing blood causing the vampires inside the room to hiss. Brodej controls himself, but his wife isn’t as merciful, and her bloodlust is quite a thing to see.

She’s worse than he is.

“Try again.” I nod at Tero, who strikes the opposite leg. “Am I right or wrong.”

“Right.” He didn’t last long at all.

“Okay. Moving along.” The python doesn’t tear the flesh this time, but simply leaves the torn piece hanging from his thigh that’s still attached. “Larue sent you to spy on the Moore children. He’s looking for something your friend wasn’t aware of; the poor man didn’t have much upstairs.”

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