“Tell him not to move,” Macy said. The pretty redhead looked typically aggressive, dressed in dark clothes and powered up with bloode from her mate, the revenant. Though a human, she’d surprised them all by fitting into their clan, always wanting to kill something that offended her mate or her kin.
That still didn’t mean he considered her his equal.
Orion quirked a brow.
She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t move.”
He deliberately took a step in her direction. “Or what?”
“Orion, please don’t move,” Kaia said.
He froze, but he didn’t mind, because his mate had asked. Macy didn’t look pleased. Was she jealous that a new, prettier female would soon be living with them? Fara hadn’t minded when Macy had moved in, but the fae weren’t as vain as humans. She’d been welcoming. Would Macy mind that Kaia was like a shining star that made everything brighter and better?
“Orion, come here, would you?” Macy asked.
He didn’t move.
Macy nodded to Kaia, who groaned and said, “Orion, could you join Macy for a minute?”
“Sure.” He walked to the Bloode Witch. “What do you want, female?”
Macy looked him over. “What happened to your clothes?”
“I brought him new ones.” Kaia hurried to a bag he’d missed on the floor. But when she brought it closer, he recoiled.
“It smells like dog.”
“It’s lycan.” Kaia frowned at him. “Borrowed from a friend.”
“Lycans aren’t friends,” he said with a sneer but hurried to smile at his dark-haired beauty. “But if he’s your friend, he must be a step above his pack.”
“We need to get out of here, and you need clothes.” Macy glared at him. “I don’t care if the clothes belong to a wet poodle. Put them on. My sister’s doing you a favor.”
“Your sister?” Orion looked from Macy to Kaia. “No. She’s gorgeous. You’re—”
“Hey, be nice,” Kaia growled.
He loved her aggression. So small and soft, yet she had claws. “I was going to say she’s beautiful the way an asp is beautiful, sleek and deadly. But you’re like a rainbow and spring, a fountain of life from which only the worthy may drink.”
Macy gaped.
“What?”
“You never talk like this.”
“How?”
“Poetic. Nice. Complimentary. In complete sentences. Take your pick.”
“Woman,” he growled, “you’re lucky I respect the revenant or I’d make you pay for that remark.” In truth, he thought her both amusing and courageous to talk to a member Of the Bloode with so little thought to her own well-being. But he wouldn’t let her know that.
Kaia seemed to be ignoring them. She continued to glare at the bag of clothing he’d insulted.
He sighed. “Would you like me to wear what’s in the bag, sweet?”
“Yes, please.” She didn’t sound pleased with him.
“I’m sorry.” He drew her into his arms and kissed her forehead. Then he dropped his jeans.
The women stared at him, Kaia’s eyes so big she looked comical.
“Holy crap! Thanks for the warning,” Macy said, took a long look, then turned around. “Wait ’til Duncan hears about this.” She snickered. “Kaia, you have a problem.”
“There is no problem,” Orion said, pleased his mate had yet to blink. She’d also focused past his chest and abdomen to the part rising to greet her. “Take off, Macy. Kaia and I need to fuck.”
Kaia clapped her hands over her face
He took his time dressing in sweat pants a little too tight for his taste and a tee-shirt that fit, sculpting his torso.
Macy snorted with laughter. “Oh my God. I know I wanted you to fix your V-card, but with a vampire? Kaia, I’m totally impressed, and a little scared if you want the truth.”
“I didn’t do this on purpose, Macy,” Kaia snapped, still hiding behind her hands. “I imposed my magic over Sabine’s to free him. But I think in the process I somehow convinced him we’re mates.”
He frowned. “I knew we were mates before last night.”
Kaia shot him a panicked look then turned back to her sister. “Help me, Macy. He’s a vampire!”
“Not just a vampire,” Orion helpfully pointed out. “I’m your vampire.” He smiled. “Just think, I’m vrykolakas. You’re a sea witch. Our element is the same.”
Macy glanced from him to Kaia. “He has a point.”
Kaia turned to her. “Are you kidding? He’ll kill me.”
“I am quite large, but I’ll be gentle.”
“I don’t mean with your penis! I mean you’ll probably rip my throat out with your fangs. Your fangs.”
Macy snickered.
Orion frowned. “Wait. Your V-card?” His eyes widened. “Kaia, are you a virgin?”
“She is,” Macy answered for her. “And she’s not a sea witch, exactly, she’s a sea nymph.”
“And a virgin?” Orion goggled. Sea nymphs were known to be lusty creatures. They rarely had enemies, so soft and loving that he’d had several of their kind as friendly outlets when living with his old clan.
Macy nodded. “Weird, right? She’s repressed.”
Kaia moaned. “This is so embarrassing.” She pointed at her sister—and that relationship he still had a tough time believing. They didn’t look much alike. Macy was tough. Hell, she’d battled demons and mated Duncan just a few months ago. Kaia was like Smoky, soft and cuddly with little claws. “Stop telling everyone about my love life.”
“Technically it would be a lack of a love life,” he tried to help.
“And you, stop talking,” Kaia barked.
He shut up and watched them.
“Oh man, he’s quiet.” Macy snapped a picture of him. “I’m keeping that on file.” She moved closer, studying him. “I need his bloode and don’t want him to kill me for taking it.”
Kaia moved to his side. “Can she have your bloode?”
He waited for her to allow him to talk, the silly creature. But he’d obey whatever she wanted, because that’s what a vampire did for his mate. A sharp pain burned deep inside, rejecting the idea of blind obeisance, but that spark of rage-like hostility didn’t belong anywhere near Kaia, so he shoved it back down.
She flushed. “I’m sorry, Orion. Please, say whatever you want. Can Macy have a drop or two of your bloode? I want her to help you get better, and she needs it.”
“If that’s what you want. Sure.” He lengthened a nail and punctured his left forearm. A punch of power released as it trickled over his arm. “Hurry. I heal fast.”
Macy wiped her finger through the cut then licked her finger.
“Macy!” Kaia looked shocked.
“She’s our clan’s Bloode Witch. It’s okay,” he hastened to reassure her as Macy wiped a bit more and smeared it on a tissue she tucked into a pocket. His arm healed, and he wiped the small bit of bloode away. “See? All better.”
Kaia studied his arm and patted his tiny wound. “It doesn’t hurt?” She watched his claw retract back into a human-looking nail. “Does it hurt when the claws come out?”