Page 19 of Prey

“Who’s Marie?”

My eyes shot to her and I groaned at not guarding my thoughts—again. The feelings I could easily remember to block, the thoughts were going to take some practice. “The devil,” I mumbled under my breath. “Stay here and don’t move.”

I grabbed the shirt Tessa threw on the floor and slid it over my head. The fragrance that engulfed me hit hard. I paused, taking in my prey’s scent. God, she smelled so good. If it weren’t for who was at the door, I would gladly end this little charade between Tessa and I and take her again. As for Marie, I knew she wasn’t going anywhere until I addressed her, which I was dreading. Tessa made me feel weaker, softer, than the vampire who was meant to be heartless. I couldn’t stand that Marie might pick that up.

My hand pulled at the knob and I opened the door enough for Marie to see me. Red stained her lips and the long black sleeves of her dress hung loosely as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Yes?” I brought up my eyebrow in annoyance.

Up and down, her head moved, trying to peer around me. I kept my place, not allowing her access.

“What is it, Marie?”

The curiosity wavered as her smile stretched wide and she met my eyes. “I heard you had company. I wanted to meet her. Or him. I’m not judgmental. I like both, too.”

My low growl had her eyebrow raising.

“Oh. Someone’s a little territorial. You’ve shared with me before.”

“Have I? Well, that was longer than I care to remember back to. I don’t share my meals anymore.”

Marie leaned in toward my chest, inhaling deeply. When she pulled back, she was licking her lips. “Meal…or more? I think I smell her in you. And she’s absolutely…delicious.”

“You don’t worry about that,” I cut in. “She’s mine. Back off.”

I slammed the door, taking in Tessa’s nervous expression. She went to walk around me, but I subconsciously stepped in her way. The narrowing of her eyes were mirrored by my own as I followed her more right.

“Move, Marko.”

Still, she spoke in French, and it turned me on even more. When was the last time I’d actually been able to carry a conversation in my native language? Fuck, it had been so long ago. I switched over, too, studying her face as I began to talk.

“Where will you go? Home? Will you shower and try to erase what just happened?”

A hardness took over and there was that dull pain again.

“I never want to remember this. Ever.”

My eyes closed and I wasn’t sure if the ache was from me or her. No one had ever had the power to hurt me with words. “You don’t mean that. I felt how much you enjoyed yourself.”

“For the millionth time, it wasn’t you I enjoyed, it was your poison. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go take that shower.”

My feet stayed fixed to the floor, cemented in place at her hate. Racing thuds were shaking my chest and I knew the beat wasn’t my own. The loud bang of the door followed her out of my room and I fought not to rush after her and drag her back in by that fucking beautiful hair of hers. Power surged as I tapped into myself, testing the new form of our bond. I knew I could send her images. I’d heard stories before. But I wanted more. My eyes closed and I explored my mind, trying to push into hers. To see what she saw. Darkness surrounded me and…nothing. I closed my fists, trying harder. Her pulse escalated and I waited for her thoughts to start. Random words skidded through and frustration led me walking to the door.

“So stupid. I can’t believe I allowed that to happen. Years of celibacy down the drain for another asshole. I’m never going to learn. To make things worse, this one’s the biggest of them all! What the hell was I thinking?” She paused and my head lowered. “I wasn’t. That’s the problem. His bite drugs me. Makes it impossible for me to think rationally. No more!” she yelled. “Marko Delacroix is history. Kill me? I’d like to see him try.”

My eyebrow rose and I tried not to laugh. Tessa had no idea. Or maybe she did. I could so easily race back out there and snap her neck and there was nothing she could do about it. Her life was in my hands. I had the power to decide her fate. Maybe I’d show her exactly how lucky she really was. Then I’d end her life.

“Wait.” Silence. “Who is that? Are they coming my way? Oh, God, they are. Shit!”

My head lifted as I waited.

“What a darling little thing you are.” It was a woman’s voice.

“Smells good, right?” Another woman.

“Like Marko.”

The voice had me squinting with my eyes closed, trying to decipher who it was.

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