Page 29 of The Huntress
“Fuck.” He needed to get her back here ASAP and start his seduction because she wasn’t leaving him until he had her beneath him. He grabbed her hand and led her out of the bathroom. The hand towel dropped in his haste.
“My hair. It’ll be a wreck.”
He narrowed his gaze on her temple for a second before dragging her toward the front door. He didn’t need towels. Vampires had power over some of the elements, including air.
He glanced at her vibrant auburn hair, tempting him to linger. But he couldn’t afford to. Syl first, then Val, then maybe, by then, Callie might trust him a little.
Fuck.
Chapter Thirteen
HER BIG MOUTH
“Yourhairisbeautiful,”Gabe muttered as he ushered her out the door.
Callie touched her hair, amazed to find it dry. How had he done that? She ran behind him, struggling to match his long strides as he led her through a hidden door, down a tunnel, and out into the night.
“Gabe,” she pleaded, her calves burning as she did double the effort to match his gait.
“No more, Callie. Do not tempt me now. We must see my brother or else.”
She wanted to snort despite the joy bursting like fireworks in her chest. She tempted him? Was he insane? “I know, but I can’t keep up.”
He paused, and his gaze roved over her as if studying her flushed face before sweeping her into his arms and breaking into a super-fast run. She squealed in surprise and grabbed his shoulders for stability.
After a few minutes, she relaxed and admired the night sky sparkling with stars, the cool breeze refreshing on her flustered face. “You said your brother. What should I expect?”
“He’s my younger brother. We converted together.” His voice had a faraway sound to it, as if he was remembering that day. “I am stronger than he is, and he leads because I won’t challenge him for the position.”
“Does he fear that one day you might?” Why weren’t suckbloods involved in human politics? With their uber-powers, they could ascend to presidency. Syl would give Carter a run for his money. Perhaps it was for the best. She didn’t need to investigate yet another power-crazed maniac.
Gabe sliced a glance at her, and a smile teased his lips. “Yes.” He looked away. “We are almost there.” He stopped, jarring her, then lowered his gaze to hers. “I need you to agree to everything I say. You’re in my world now. In Val’s too. If they discover your unique flavor, your ability to resist pheromones…I might not be strong enough to save you.” He grimaced, whatever his imagination conjured, it didn’t look pleasant.
“All right, then Val afterward?”
“Yes. As you saw, younglings remain separate. Their monstrous thirst is the reason why vampires have a bloody history.” He broke into a run again.
“No pun intended?” she teased.
He grinned, but didn’t dip his head to look at her. “Callie, perhaps you shouldn’t mention your sister for now. Your scent and blood are unusual. I would prefer we don’t share this in case it endangers her. Let her grow stronger first.”
She didn’t know what conversion did to a cancer patient, so if he believed Val needed time, then Callie had to agree with him. She didn’t have to like it, though. Like letting Val go to chemo on her own. The first few times Callie had accompanied her, she’d sobbed in the bathroom stall. She hadn’t been strong for Val at all.
“I defer to you on this.” She had to trust him, trust that Val could survive this. Burying her face in his neck, Callie inhaled, relishing the masculine scent of him.
Hot damn. What the hell happened? She went from “the law is neutral” to sniffing a suckblood. There were men she’d given a second glance, but life had distracted her, and she’d let it, not having the energy to thwart Mike’s cockblocking. Therein lay the crux of the matter. He wasn’t here, and even if he was, she wanted Gabe, wanted to know him better in more ways than carnal. Although, that played a major role in her reactions, decisions, and behavior. She wouldn’t lie to herself about that. Adding his consideration, thoughtfulness, and kindness, he’d done everything to negate her skewed opinion on suckbloods.
Having always considered herself impartial, she grimaced. She’d deceived herself for so long. Had Dad known? Her fellow officers? How long had she hated suckbloods and beasts? Racism in its purest form. Each species had their rotten apples, yet she’d painted them with the same brush, judging them on their worst examples. Call it hatred, fear, or distrust, but she didn’t socialize with any, and didn’t speak to non-humans other than to mete out justice. She buried her face deeper as if it could hide her shame. Within one day, she’d learned much about her own character, and it wasn’t pleasant. Could she face a suckblood without her preconceived notions and expectations?
Gabe halted, and she studied their surroundings, tightening her grip around his neck. They were at an entrance to a building that was unusual for this part of the country. Italian design, with vaulted arches, sandstone, and wall-mounted candelabras casting rippling gold flames and ebony shadows.
He lowered her to her feet, and she clung to his dry shirt. The run hadn’t drawn a drop of perspiration from him. “Thank you,” she said, her ingrained manners coming to the forefront.
“Alwaysmypleasure,” he said, his voice husky. It skittered along her senses like velvet on her skin.
“Lord Sylvester awaits you in the hall,” a man said, surprising her.
She hadn’t noticed his appearance. Why?She shook her head to clear her lust-fogged mind.
