“It’s you,” she whispered, somewhat in awe.
Bingo.
“Yes.”
I was so caught up in the moment that I didn’t register the fact that her hand lifted and slapped my cheek hard enough to rattle my teeth in my jaw until my skin was stinging.
Fuck. She was so damn perfect for me.
“How in the hell did you do that?” Hands planted on her hips, she was magnificent in her ire. She didn’t notice the faint violet glow in her eyes or the sparks that left her fingertips.
“Astral projection. You thought you were dreaming, but it was all real. A spiritual connection was established between us.”
“Is this some kind of joke to you? A game?”
I shook my head vehemently. “Never. It was only possible because of the bond we share, Piper. I swear it.”
Something in my tone must have convinced her because she sighed, and the anger faded. “I believe you.”
“You do?”
“Yes, because I can sense when you’re lying to me and you aren’t.”
“No, and I may tease you and keep secrets that piss you off, but I will never lie.”
She rolled her eyes at my words. “Yeah, that sounds about right.”
Tugging her back into my embrace, I tilted her chin up. “If you ever doubt, ask me anything you want and if I am able, I will answer. Always.”
She blinked, a crease wrinkling the skin between her eyes with a momentary frown before it disappeared. “I’m going to hold you to that, Salem Black.”
I lowered my head and brushed across her lips with a feather light caress. “That settles it then. We are agreed. It’s sealed with a kiss.”
Several days had lapsed before Salem heard back from his friend. We were meeting the elusive stranger tonight around ten p.m. after the sun had fully set.
It turned out that the location was none other than a rundown bar in the middle of nowhere, way outside the city limits. The drive was long and quiet, filled with nothing but darkness and sparse moonlight. I nearly fell asleep more than once. Salem kept the conversation going, but my replies were simple and intended to keep him at arm’s length. From the moment I found out he had a mate, something inside shifted. I was unhappy and depressed, and it compounded the stress and worry I felt about this countdown and the attacks on my life.
I ignored all implication of what my feelings meant. After the callous way he ripped into my neck and nearly drained all the blood in my body, I should have been furious. I wasn’t. The knowledge was disturbing and further proved I had to keep my distance.
Salem was nothing more than a temporary and moody bodyguard. On top of that, he was entirely too unpredictable.
When we arrived at the bar – aptly named The Raven’s Nest – I was told to wait for Salem as he exited the car. He stood in front of me for a moment before one hand landed on my shoulder and a finger lifted my chin up to stare into his intense amber gaze. He wasn’t hiding his true identity tonight and I knew it was important that he maintained control.
In attempt to lighten the mood and forget the tension between us, I decided to shift the attention to him and the ridiculous black leather trench coat he wore. He fit the description of every Vampire Diaries, Buffy, and Twilight knockoff I could think of all at once. I kind of liked to think he was a mix of Spike and Damon Salvatore. Not that I would ever tell him.
“You know that look went out in the nineties, right?” I teased, walking my fingers up his chest and over the black t-shirt he wore until my hand lingered over his heart.
Salem shivered once and his fangs brushed his bottom lip. “Keep trying to seduce me and you’ll get that reaction you’re looking for.”
“Who said I was seducing you?” I asked, a husky timbre in my voice. Salem had a mate, but he sure wasn’t acting like it. “Isn’t that a job for your woman?”
“Oh yes,” he hissed, lingering on the ‘s’. “She’s not gonna mind when she finds out.”
“Why not? Isn’t she interested?”
Salem pressed my back against his black SUV. I felt the cool exterior beneath my clothes.
“I’m hoping she’s going to be as possessive and infatuated as I am. Only time will tell.”
My fingers slid behind the nape of his neck as our gaze met and locked. “Tell me something.”
“Anything,” he breathed out.
“Why do you like to play games?”
“Because the prize, my lovely pet, is more than worth the effort.”
We’d gotten completely off topic. I didn’t want to linger on the idea of his mate.
“And the black clothes? Those are for what?”
“To showcase my good looks.” He flashed a sexy grin. “I have a certain style I’ve grown to like. I’m a dhampir. Even though I’m vampire, I’m still human. I can get cold just like you.”
Dhampir? He never mentioned that before now.
“In between feedings the cooler temperature and less sustenance in my body means I get chilled easy. Human blood is okay, but it’s addictive. Drinking blood from other vampires is the most potent. Other supernaturals, even more than my own kind. Animal blood fades quickly since there’s less essence to sustain my organ function.” Salem shrugged. “I suppose I become easily enamored when I find something that stands out among the mundane.”
“Like me,” I whispered, tugging him closer. “Don’t ever feed from me again, Salem. I’ll never forgive you.”
He turned his cheek into my palm as my hand slid across his face. “I swear it, my pet.”
The hour was growing late. I nodded, believing his words. “You have a meeting.”
“Yes.” Back to business, the playfulness left his expression. “I will say and do things here that don’t make sense. No matter what, go along with my story. Try to be meek.” I opened my mouth to speak, but he shook his head. “This place is a melting pot of supernatural strength, energy, and magic. It’s wild and unpredictable. There are no rules here but one – stay away from other immortals' property. That is how we will keep you safe.”
It took a second for his words to sink in. “Are you kidding me?”
“No. They won’t bother you if you’re marked.”
Marked? Like how? I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. “I don’t think this is necessary.”
“Piper,” he warned, more than a little annoyed.
“Fine,” I gritted the word between my teeth. “Any other instructions, master?”
My sarcasm was ignored but he deliberately shivered.
“Yes, you will allow me to mark you with my blood.”
What?
Salem lifted his wrist to his mouth and bit down. Blood dripped from the wound as he swiped through the fluid with two fingers and proceeded to smear the crimson essence across my neck, my throat, my cheeks, and even across my lips. Agitated, I nearly shoved him away when he wrote something across my forehead.
“That better not say Property of Salem.” I wasn’t even remotely kidding.
His loud guffaw was priceless. I nearly smirked, but I was too pissed. Why did I have to get covered in blood? It would dry and itch soon. Then he’d have to deal with my bad humor and my temper.