Page 35 of Prey

A giggle came from her lips. “In a way. They’re bonded to me. We all share a very close connection.”

“Oh. Wow.” My mouth parted in shock and I looked back up, seeing them differently. Four men. I couldn’t even begin to understand how that worked. Especially if passion was involved. I hadn’t thought a vampire could bond with more than one person at a time. Apparently, I didn’t know much of anything concerning them.

Visions flashed of all four of them together. One fucking her pussy and another in her ass, while she sucked one’s cock deep in her mouth. The one I knew to be Jose was getting his cock sucked by the one buried in her back entrance. My cheeks burned as I blinked hard and jerked my head back, looking down at her.

“You can thank me for that later. So, what do you say? Do you want to come to my get-together? I think it would be great fun and I really would love to get to know you better. It won’t be like that,” she whispered, “just as friends.”

Hunter’s hand gripped the back of my shirt, but I paid it no attention. “I’m sorry, I can’t. Marko and I…” I searched for the words, not even beginning to know where to start. “We’re not—”

“He tried to fucking kill her,” Hunter exploded. “Almost did. And now you’re here. I don’t think so.”

A sad look came over her face as she kept her stare on me. I was cautious to fully meet her eyes. I knew the power they held. I could feel it.

“It happens sometimes. But only when two people who match up perfectly are meant to be,” she rushed in. “It’s very rare, but it does happen. You have to understand what he’s going through. It has to be excruciating for him.”

“For him?” Hunter said, sarcastically. “Maybe you missed the part where Tessa almost died.”

Hunter had me shifting uncomfortably. His anger was so thick, I could almost feel it. Combined with the power of the vampire before me, I was a Goddamn ball of nerves.

Marie glanced up to Hunter, but she kept quiet as she looked back at me. “I’m sorry, may I come in? New shoes, and it was a far walk,” she said, displaying one of the black stilettos.

“Can’t do it,” Hunter said from behind me. “It’s against house rules. No inviting vampires into your home. Then you can come and go as you please, even if we don’t want you to.”

“Really?” I said, turning around.

“Yeah,” he said, quietly.

No wonder Marko was so intent on me inviting him in. And to think I could have prevented this.

“I’m sorry,” I said, shaking my head. “Surely you understand.”

Her bottom lips came out almost as if she were pouting. “I understand. You haven’t had a very good experience with our kind. I assure you though, Marko is the exception. And he really can’t help it. The fact that he even stopped shows how much he truly does love you. If he didn’t, you’d be dead.”

My heart dropped even as my chest crushed around it. I felt Hunter’s hand grip to my shirt tighter.

“Listen,” she said, softly. “I’d love for you to come to this party. And you don’t have to worry about Marko, he’s not even in our part of the city right now. Our leader has him babysitting some newbies so they won’t get into trouble. He’ll be gone the entire night.” She leaned in closer. “The pain will ease being with your kind. I know you must ache for him. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through.”

I stepped back more into Hunter’s hand. I did fucking hurt and I wanted it to stop. Besides, I wanted to go back. The pull was pleading for me to. Even if it did terrify me to be close to so many people who could kill me, the temptation was irresistible. I belonged. Nothing had been truer.

“What sort of party is it again?”

“Tessa,” Hunter exclaimed. “You can’t be serious about possibly going?”

I glanced back, frowning. He didn’t understand. Even I didn’t get why I was asking.

Marie’s face lit up. “It’s Crystal’s birthday. We’re having a girls-only night together. I can’t wait for you to meet her. We’ve been best friends for…well, ever. I think you’d really like her. There are so many people I want to introduce you to.”

I smiled and tried to ignore that it was genuine. “It sounds fun, but I don’t know. I’m not sure I can.”

Marie pressed her lips together and leaned in a little closer. “I promise you have nothing to worry about. Marko may be powerful, but you’ll have me and all my friends protecting you. Even he can’t compete with that. Besides, think about yourself. We both know you need this. I can physically feel what you’re holding in. I don’t know how you’re managing.”

Fuck, I didn’t either.

“Trust me,” she continued, “everything will be okay. Come to your new home, even if it is only for the night. Let Marko’s blood get what it needs. Comfort in the right atmosphere. A feeding of sorts. And your aching will ease some. At least temporarily.”

“It will?”

“Tessa,” Hunter snapped, pulling back at the material, “you can’t go with her. Have you lost your mind?”

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