Page 18 of Fangbanger

I will not be killing her.

I’m not even sure I can stand to drive her away anymore. Her presence is warm and soothing at the back of my brain. I watch her run her hands over a stack of wood, like she’s considering what to make with it, and I find myself briefly envious of those seeking fingers.

Mates are to be cherished, I remind him. The words are drilled into us over the centuries. A mate is to be coddled, protected, held above all others. I have never fantasized about mating, but many of us do. Many vampires would kill to find one like Leah.

Slayers are evil, he argues.

A week ago I would have agreed with him. This one is young and foolish.

We are silent as I watch her greet a man who must be a were. He’s too big to be a human, and his hair is shaggy like an animal’s coat. A rumble builds in my chest. He’s grinning at her and standing way too close. My shoulders tense.

You’re not going to complete the bond with her, are you? Teddy’s words are careful.

And spend my life hungering for her? Look at Julian. He craves his mate and he didn’t even seal the bond.

You may not have a choice.

I curse silently, still watching Leah smile at the were. Even now, I’m compelled to bite her. To claim her.

Most vampires can’t withstand more than a week like this.

I’m not most vampires. My control is superior.

Teddy sends me an image of him rolling his eyes.

The were pulls Leah into a hug and the rumble dredges up from my chest.

I must go.

Another one bites the dust.

I don’t bother to respond.

I stride for the were as he releases Leah. I can feel my body preparing for battle as it did in the arena. My vision tunnels. My fangs lengthen.

“Wolf,” I growl.

He whirls. He’s big. Nearly as large as I am. But weres are more animal than man and easy to outsmart. My lip curls.

He glances at Leah, as if in permission, and I want to bite him just for that. Just for having a connection with her that I am denied.

“This is Dean,” Leah says.

Dean is a weak name, I don’t say.

I’ve never killed a Dean before.

Dean’s face is wary. “Human-frequented areas are protected spaces, bloodsucker. You forget yourself.”

Leah mutters a curse before her hand wraps around my upper arm. “We’ll be going now.”

Dean’s expression morphs to amusement and sly understanding. I narrow my eyes. There’s a joke I’m missing here. “Have fun, you two.”

Leah’s shoulders are tense as she drags me away from him. I let her.

“So you know, I am permitting this.”

She gives me a mutinous look. I can feel Dean watching.