Page 23 of Forsaken By Night

“The fact that I haven’t killed you is proof that this clan has come a long way since the days of my father and my own early rule.” Hunter’s husky voice was as icy as the room, emerging between lips peeled back from razor fangs. “But when it comes to the safety of my mate, I’m as primitive as it gets. Her ability makes her a kidnapping target for every vampire and human on the planet. So if you tell anyone outside of MoonBound about her gift, I will reopen the Cave of the Vanquished and mount your skull on the wall while you’re still breathing. Understood?”

Well, that was graphic. But hey, it sounded like maybe Hunter wasn’t going to kill him after all. “Understood.”

Hunter eyed him for an uncomfortably long moment, probably trying to determine whether he could trust Lobo’s word. Lobo couldn’t blame him. He’d stop at nothing to protect Tehya.

Finally, just as Lobo’s palms started to sweat, Hunter crossed to the door and flung it open. He spoke in hushed tones with Baddon, who was standing outside. When he returned, his expression was grim.

“I sent Baddon to find Su’Neena.”

“She won’t admit to being a spy.”

“If she’s a spy, wewillget to the bottom of it.” Pivoting on his heel, he moved back to the door. “Come on. You can shower and have a shot of human blood while Nicole looks at that wound.”

A wound he had only because one of Hunter’s boys had shot him. “I’ll be fine.”

“It’s not a suggestion. I promised your wolf she’d see you again, and I don’t want you keeling over in front of her.”

“Why? Because it’ll be the last time I see her?”

Hunter paused with his hand on the doorknob. “If you’re wondering whether I’m going to kill you, I’m not.”

Lobo let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding. “Why not?”

“Because,” he said in a voice weighted with gravity Lobo didn’t understand, “I’m not my father.”

That was something that was becoming more obvious by the minute. “So what comes next?”

Hunter yanked open the door and stepped out into the hallway. “We’re going to get to the bottom of your accusation against Su’Neena.” He lowered his voice as a group of males walked by, their laughter echoing through the halls, something nearly unheard of during Bear Roar’s reign. Hell, even after Hunter had taken over after his father’s death, the clan had still been a dark, sobering place. The changes at MoonBound since then were startling. “I don’t know why, but my gut tells me to believe you. So until we get this straightened out, you’re free togo.”

“And Tehya?”

“We’ll keep her safe and teach her what she needs to know to survive as a vampire.”

Even though it was exactly what Lobo had asked for, his stomach still churned. He’d asked Hunter to take care of Tehya, but that was when the prospect of losing his head had been very real. Now... damn. It was for the best. She needed friends. Community. Training. She needed the clan.

He must have looked troubled, because Hunter’s hard-ass expression softened. But that was like saying a diamond had softened into an agate. “She won’t be a prisoner, Lobo.”

“Good. She doesn’t like that. You should see what she did to my cabin when I locked her in it once.”

No, she didn’t take to captivity well at all. But he also knew she didn’t take orders well either. Keeping her here wouldn’t be easy. He’d have to convince her.

But how could he do that when he wasn’t convinced himself?

10

Tehya wanted to hate MoonBound and everything about it. But the people were friendly if wary, the compound was clean and warm, and it boasted modern conveniences such as a library and rec center, which she was currently touring. They even had a kitchen and cooks who had made her a venison sandwich she’d scarfed down while she walked around with Katina in borrowed jeans and a fitted green long-sleeved top.

“This isn’t anything like I imagined.” Tehya stared in awe at a young male and a female with bright orange pigtails as they played some sort of dance-themed video game on a screen nearly as large as one of the rec room walls. “From what Lobo described, I expected dark caves and torches on the walls. This isn’t exactly medieval times here.”

Katina laughed, her bright white fangs creating a striking contrast with her dark skin. “I would definitely not be here if it was like that. I like my modern comforts.” She shuddered, making her sleek black hair, gathered in a low, thick ponytail, brush against her paisley top. “From what I hear, though, MoonBound used to be a horror show. I’m sure Lobo wasn’t exaggerating. The old guard, mostly the born vampires who follow the Way of the Raven—they’re a bunch of primitive, superstitious freaks.”

“What’s that about? This Crow and Raven thing?”

Katina rolled her pewter-silver eyes. “It’s a belief system that supposedly explains vampire origins—if you want to completely discount science and logic. Again, it’s pushed by the old guard, mainly as a way to keep everyone in line. Crows are more moderate, and Ravens are just crazy.”

Wow, Tehya had so much to learn about being a vampire. As a human, she’d only known what the human powers-that-be wanted her to know about them—mainly that they were dangerous, but they made good slaves when properly trained. Later, as a wolf, she’d learned about vampires by watching Lobo, but he wasn’t exactly typical of the species, as she was just beginning to discover.

He must have been so lonely.

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