Page 61 of Accidental Blood Lust
“I heard a rumor,” Auri says. “Perhaps some of you lot would know more about it.”
Roman swallows audibly. “What did you hear, boss?”
Auri raises a hand, checking out his nails. “Something about a murderous vampire hiding out in the underworld.” His gaze shifts to me, and I shrink in response. “But that would just be silly, right?”
Everyone at the table is silent, making my stomach clench. I don’t know what to say, so I wait for Roman to jump in. Jareth’s hand moves to my thigh, gently squeezing.
“All vampires are murderous, but I don’t think that’s the right way to describe Loch,” Roman says, his voice strong and unwavering. “He’s my mate, Auri.”
“Obviously, pet.” Auri sniffs the air. “I’m surprised the rest of you have appetites with the stench of mated sex in the air.”
I’m pretty sure I would blush from embarrassment if I still could.
“I like the scent,” Drax says, popping a raspberry into his mouth. “That’s what happiness smells like. Right, mate?” He nuzzles the dragon beside him, and Mac smiles as his gaze heats.
“I’ve learned to block it,” Cassius says dryly. “It happens a lot around here lately.”
“I suppose it does have a pleasantness about it.” Auri smiles slightly. “I sense there’s a situation though, or there wouldn’t be rumors.”
Roman glances at me and then Jareth before he nods, growling protectively. “Yeah, there’s a situation. Lochlan here, my mate—well, one of my mates—he was seduced by the fae. They took advantage of his need.”
“As they are wont to do,” Auri says. “And then?”
Roman inhales, clearly bracing himself, but I jump in.
“I panicked when I found out his intent and I attacked him. I tore his throat out.”
Auri doesn’t react for a few very long seconds. “Did you eat their offerings first?”
I nod, bowing my head in shame. “I didn’t know.”
“What kind of vampire doesn’t know how the fae work?”
Roman growls as Jareth wraps his arms around me.
“A sweet one,” Jareth says defensively. “And a new one abandoned by his maker.”
Auri’s expression softens. “Ah. I see.”
“So they’re after him, obviously,” Roman says. “Apparently, the one he killed was some kind of important fae in their realm.”
“Important how?” Auri asks.
“He was a prince in a consortium,” I say. “His name was Iswyn.”
Auri’s eyes widen as his lips part, exposing his dagger-like teeth. “The Nocturne Consortium?”
“That’s what he said.”
“Well, isn’t that interesting?”
Is it?
JARETH
I can’t tellif the head demon is pissed off or not, but the urge to protect Loch from him is strong. I move closer, practically pulling Loch onto my lap at the same time Roman moves closer too, tangling their fingers together.
“It was an accident, Auri,” Roman says, his tone pleading. “And Loch is my fated mate, so it’s my job to?—”
