Page 73 of Last Shot at Love

“He called the sea!” Azura grinned at me. “The dolphins answered his call and the current bent to Cerulean’s control over water. I knew he could do party tricks, but I’ve never seen an octopus shifter with that strong of an ability.”

“You caused the current?” I asked, in awe of my mate’s strength.

“Yes.” Cerulean squatted beside my chair and caught my hands. “I have never been so scared or so angry in my life. I knew I needed to get to you fast. The dolphins were happy to pull us through the water faster than we could have gone ourselves, and I bent the current to push them forward faster.”

“The dolphins are still chattering in the bay. You gave them the ride of a lifetime, cerulean. I have a feeling they will follow you around for a while in hopes you will create another current to ride.” Azurea laughed and turned to me. “Dolphins are such adrenaline junkies.”

“Once we knew you were in the water, we split up. Azurea and several dolphins followed the boat, and I went to help Cerulean.” A dark shape moved to bump Lapis’ hand.

Was that one of the dolphins?

Lapis stood and grabbed my brother’s arm. “After you were in Cerulean’s arms, I rushed back to the resort to find the bolt cutter. Then I went to help Azurea with your family.”

Lapis dragged my brother’s limp body to the edge of the patio and toed him with his shoe. I watched in shock as my brother rolled into the ocean.

The dark shaped smacked the water and then surged away from shore with my brother in its jaws.

“Did you just feed my brother to a shark?” I asked, incredulous.

“No muss, no fuss, no coconut butts,” Lapis shrugged.

“At least his body didn’t go to waste?” Azurea offered, trying to help me see the positive side of things.

Standing on shaking legs, I made my way to the other body.

“We knocked him over the head so he could see how it felt, so he’s still out.” Lapis scratched the back of his head.

kneeling down, I rolled him over.

Inky black eyes met mine. My father lunged upward. His hands reached for my throat and his fangs lengthened… a trick only full vampires could do.

I reacted on instinct. Grabbing his arm, I threw myself to the side and out of his way. My fangs sank into his arm, and it surprised me when my gums ached.

Cerulean flung him away from me as I gagged on the rotten vampire blood.

“What the—” Cerulean stood over my father’s convulsing body.

A few moments later, he went still, his muscles unmoving.

Three sets of blue eyes turned to me.

“What are you looking at? What happened to him?” My chest tightened and my heart pounded.

“I think you used venom on him,” Lapis answered.

“I’m a vampire! We don’t have venom, and if we did, my father would have been immune to it!”

“I don’t know how you did it, but I think your body stored my venom and repurposed it. Many creatures adapt to have this ability. I think you did too.” Cerulean wrapped me in a hug.

“It would explain why her brother was so weak when we caught up with them. He was complaining she’d bit him. I’m guessing she gave him a lesser dose,” Azurea answered, her voice thoughtful.

Lapis pretended to trip over my father, and suddenly my father’s body splashed into the water. A dark shape appeared, and with a splash, swam away.

“Oops.” Lapis held up his hands as though he hadn’t meant for that to happen.

“Really, Lapis?” Azurea scolded, but her mouth twitched upward.

“The crime took place in the water, so the ocean law stands. They attacked an ocean dweller’s mate with the intent to kill. That is unacceptable, and they had to pay Poseidon’s price.”

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