Page 44 of Volik

I lift a brow. I have never collected a salary. “And the second?”

“Just… don’t bite her tonight.”

My brow drops, and I glare at the man. “Explain.”

“It’s just… a lot. For humans. We wait what feels like forever to find our other half. But humans… They have no idea, not until it happens. So… be patient.”

“I would never hurt my mate.” Anger and defense color my statement.

“I know that.” He speaks in a placating tone that annoys me. “But she might not.”

Not wanting to admit that his words might be true, I turn and stride down the hall. Following Nix’s scent.

Chapter 22

Nix

My fingers tremble as I flip my windshield wipers on.

Every block I put between myself and campus makes my rib cage ache.

It’s that rope from yesterday. The one that was laced through my bones. The one that was pulling me toward him.

It’s pulling me toward him still.

Him.

Volik.

A vampire.

The first I’ve ever met.

A man but not a human.

What some people call a beast. Monster. Abomination.

Sexy. Strong. Passionate.

I tighten my grip on the steering wheel.

I just need to get home.

Then I can figure this out.

I keep my foot on the gas as the streetlight ahead of me turns yellow.

Chapter 23

Volik

Raindrops soak into the remaining scraps of my clothing as I stand on a patch of pavement in the faculty lot, certain this is where Nix parked her car.

I do not understand the magic that creates the mate bonds. Just yesterday, I could not smell her scent at all. Could only sense that something was there. It was as though her existence was cloaked from me.

I inhale.

It’s not anymore.