Page 21 of Accidental Blood Lust
“Lochlan’s path, his fate, shifted when he made that decision. Or perhaps fate knew all along that he would. Either way, that decision put him in your path.”
“Fuck,” I mumble. “How am I gonna tell Jareth? It’s the only reason we aren’t together, and now I have to look him in his beautiful eyes and tell him the man he loves ismyfated mate? This is so fucked up.”
“Don’t be so narrow sighted, pet. Perhaps Jareth is part of this equation too in ways yet to be understood. He obviously brought Lochlan into your life. Perhaps there is a reason for that. You’ll figure it out.”
I rub my forehead, nodding. “Okay.”
“How long will our guest be with us? Is he looking for employment? I can always use more pets.”
That comment makes my stomach turn. “Oh, no, Auri, no. Please, no. He’s terrible. He can’t even feed himself, much less take on work. He nearly burned himself alive in the sun, and if he is my mate, I can’t have him here like this, all the time, for eternity. No. Please, Auri.”
Auri tilts his head, amusement all over his features. “But if he is your mate—and he is, let’s be honest—then why wouldn’t you want him with you at all times?”
“Did you forget the part where I hate him?”
Auri laughs at that, lifting his mug to his lips. He pauses, then dips his finger into the liquid, and I watch as his finger glows red and steam pours out of the mug again.
“You’re quite adorable. Bring the vampire to me. I’d like to meet him.”
I blow out a frustrated breath, knowing damn well I’ve lost this battle. Auri does what he wants, but I have to hold out hope that he won’t see anything interesting in the inept vampire. Somehow, I’ll figure this out. There’s no way I’m accepting this mess.
LOCHLAN
“The most importantthing is to act natural. Act… mortal. You’re not far from that so your humanity lingers a bit. Just focus on blending in at first. Over time, you’ll learn how to use your abilities, but when you’re just starting out, let them come to you.”
I nod, listening intently to Cassius. I’m focused on his words, trying my best to block out the cacophony of voices, music, and other noises swirling around me. If I could still get headaches, I’m sure I’d have one.
“Look around, Lochlan. Does anyone appeal to you? Stand out in any way? Don’t forget to use scent to attract as well.”
I glance around the crowded bar. It’s packed with people, mostly men, a few women too, but no one catches my attention. The memory of how sweet Jareth’s blood tasted returns, but I shake it away. That was an emergency and not something hewould do willingly. I wonder what Roman’s blood tastes like. Is it feral and earthy like his scent?
“Focus, Lochlan,” Cassius says, suddenly close to my ear.
“Did you hear my thoughts?”
“Loudly. You’ll learn to block other vampires over time.”
Well, that’s embarrassing.
I turn my attention back to the throngs of people around me. My senses are overwhelmed with competing pheromones, manufactured scents, and human sweat. I wish I could block those out too. I just want to smell lavender and freshly tilled earth. I want to smell cinnamon and that deep, masculine, feral scent that wafts off of Roman. No.
Dammit.
Not him. Anyone but him.
Closing my eyes, I inhale again, plucking out individual scents until something coppery hits my nose. I snap my eyes open and turn in the direction of the scent.
“There you go,” Cassius purrs.
The music and voices fall away until all I can hear is a soft thumping and the rushing of liquid.
“What’s that sound?”
“That is the sound of a mortal pulse. Their blood moving through their veins. It’s the sound of dinner.”
The more I listen, the more my gums throb in response. Where is it coming from? I turn around, searching the room, and finally find the source. There’s a man sitting at the bar alone. He’s handsome, brawny, and muscular like a body builder. His dark skin catches the light, drawing me to him like a beacon in a storm. I start to walk in his direction, but Cassius stops me with his hand on my arm.
“What are you going to do when you get to him? You can’t just bite him.”
