“I knew she couldn’t hurt me, and you should have seen the body on her. You have no idea what you’re getting into by offering to feed Kira. That Vampire was all over me. She was a total sex siren. It’s what they do. They seduce and strike for a vein. I was smart enough to pull her off my throat before I passed out from blood loss, though let’s just say it was tough. We both got what we wanted but I didn’t expect it to be that intense. And she was just some blood hooker, not a woman I loved.”

“Kira isn’t some skilled sex siren.”

“I didn’t say she was. But she’ll bite you, you’ll fuck her, and then you’ll lose control. You’ll end up mated to a Vamp. I don’t care how strong you are. You can’t resist when it’s your true mate.”

“I won’t bite her back. I’m going to see if my blood will help her. It’s the only plan I can think of that doesn’t involve letting another man touch her.” He spun, striding toward the den.

“Plans get fucked up all the time.”

He ignored his brother’s parting comment, worried about Kira being alone. He doubted she’d wake before sunset but he hadn’t been around many newly made Vamps. The ones he’d hunted were crazed and totally unstable. It hurt to think she might wake that way.

It was his job to kill Vamps. They attacked humans. There was no tolerance for any behavior that might draw attention from the outside world.

He bolted the inside door of his den and crept closer to his bed. She slept in the same position she’d been in when he’d left her. The slight rise and fall of her chest assured him she was fine. He ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated with his brother and disheartened by the situation.

He breathed Kira’s scent in with every breath. Memories flashed of them growing up together…and he admitted his brother was right.

Kira was his true mate.

She’d been his to protect, and the possessive feelings had only grown over the years. Rage boiled under his skin when he thought about what had happened to her.

Resentment came next. She never would have been attacked if he’d been born second instead of first. Duty wouldn’t have stood in his way of taking Kira to another clan. He could have claimed her as his mate the moment she became of age. She wouldn’t have been assigned some shitty job that put her in danger in the first place.

He’d never wished her bloodlines were stronger. She had become an amazing person because of her obstacles. Now she would face new ones.

He crouched down and brushed the hair back from her forehead. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake at his gentle touch. The peaceful look on her face wouldn’t last.

He caressed her cheek with his thumb. They needed to talk.

Chapter Six

Lorn changed the batteries in the lights and finished his meal. He repeatedly glanced at the watch he kept on the table. The sun would set any minute. Kira had grown paler during the day but her heart still beat. He was as attuned to it as he was his own.

No one would care for Kira better than he could, and he didn’t trust some enforcer not to take advantage of her.

He’d texted Davis and Lavos not to mention anything to Kira about him possibly mating her if things turned out the way he hoped. He didn’t want to risk her getting hurt more if the plan failed. It would be devastating enough for all of them if she remained a Vampire. It burned a little to explain his motives to both men but they’d agreed. He didn’t want to get her hopes up. His were already there.

First he’d have to convince her to stay with him and take his blood. She could flat-out refuse and go to the other clan. She’d drink blood from the enforcer but find herself mated when it was over, because no man could resist wanting to keep her forever. The thought of her choosing to go to another clan, to another man, enraged him. She was his.

He glanced at the bed again and noticed that she’d moved her arm. He rose to his feet, reaching for his pants, not wanting her to wake and see him in his boxers. The den felt hot to him, almost stifling.

Her eyes flew open and she sat up, gasping. The pure terror she displayed had him dropping his jeans and rushing to her side. “Kira?”

She turned her head and he caught his breath, staring into the glowing blue eyes that fixed on him. They were beautiful—and completely paranormal. He crouched, not sure what to say to assure her things were going to be okay.

He didn’t expect her to grab the covers and throw them back.

Her bare breasts caught his attention, and he couldn’t help but notice the way they jiggled with her fast breathing. The air she’d exposed them to made both nipples pebble, and his body responded.

A sudden hiss came from her.

He looked from her chest to her face. Her mouth was open and two cute little fangs showed.

She launched herself at him, catching him off guard.

They crashed to the floor with Kira on top of him. He clamped down on her shoulders, managing to keep her from going for his throat, but she seemed intent on biting him.

“KIRA!” He snarled.

She was stronger as a Vampire than she’d been as a human, but he easily held her mouth away from his throat with his superior strength. It was hell on him though, considering she was totally naked. He glanced down, appreciating her soft, pale stomach, and groaned when he realized she shaved her mound. It ground against his lower belly where she straddled him.

She hissed at him again and he met her stare. He saw no recognition—and it infuriated him. He really wanted to tear apart the bastard who’d attacked her. She was in a fit of bloodlust, mindless to everything but the need to feed.

“Kira.” His tone softened. It was hell not to stare at her breasts while she fought him, seeing them bounce as she struggled. His dick hardened and he knew he was going to hell for getting turned-on. It was still Kira though, even if she was only interested in his neck. He’d wanted her since hormones had hit his system as a teen. “It’s Lorn.”

Something flickered in her eyes and she blinked. Some of the glow faded and she closed her mouth. The expression on her face actually hurt him as he watched her regain some of herself. It was clear she was horrified. She whimpered, turned her head away and stopped fighting.

“Easy,” he rasped, sitting up. It put them chest to chest, and his neck way too close to her mouth. It wasn’t his smartest move but he wanted to comfort her. It also slid her lower on his body, so her pussy wasn’t resting against his bare stomach. Her ass settled on his lap instead. “Are you with me now?”