Page 47 of Wolfgang
Lucien narrowed his black eyes. “You’re asking for trouble, ma fleur. Big trouble.”
Jamie only winked at him. “Lucky me.”
Not wishing to be a vehicle for the strange couple’s flirting, Wolfe released Lucien from his hold, effortlessly dodging the fist the irritated vampire threw his way. He stayed as close as he dared, not yet ready to consider them free of threat. He took the opportunity to soak in the sight of his mate, who was now looking a charming mix of befuddled and relieved.
Meanwhile Soren rose from his seat and sidled up, although he stayed noticeably far enough way that Lucien couldn’t swipe at him, studying the companion instead. “The infamous Jamie.” Soren made a big show of taking him in, his eyes traveling over the artificially colored hair, the multiple earrings, the all-black outfit. He grinned, slow and wide. “Finally, someoneelsewith a sense of style.”
Jamie tilted his chin at the still-snarling Lucien. “I think Luc’s got great style.”
“Luc doesn’t count.” Soren huffed. “We don’t speak of him.”
Jamie’s brows rose. “Except he’s right here, newly freed from this dapper fucker’s headlock.”
“No, he isn’t. Because if he was”—Soren’s grin widened impossibly—“I’d have to be tearing his head off for attacking my mate and then running off like a coward.”
That prompted another growl from Luc, but Jamie’s hand on his arm stopped it short.
“So he’s not here,” Soren concluded pointedly.
Jamie nodded slowly, his own smile dimming. “Cool beans, I guess I’ll just take Mr. Invisible here to a nearby hotel and let you all fend for yourselves.”
Soren ignored the threat, reaching a hand out to Jamie’s jewelry. “Where are those earrings from? They’re gorgeous.”
Jamie cocked a brow. “I’d tell you, but then I’d be breaking your rule. They were a gift. From a certainnonsomeone.”
Soren waited him out, clearly hoping for an answer anyway, then threw his hands up in frustration. “Fine! You can both exist! But I’m not talking to him.”
Jamie smiled easily again. “That’s cool. He’s more fun when he’s pissed off anyway.”
“Says you,” Soren grumbled, slinking back to place himself on Gabe’s lap.
Satisfied that no skirmishes were on the horizon, Wolfe hastened over to Eric’s side. He cupped his mate’s face in both hands, ignoring Johann’s enthusiastic wave of greeting.
“You are unharmed.” It was more a statement than a question, but he felt it worth saying out loud.
“Uh.” Eric’s cheeks flushed a darling pink. “Yeah.”
“Good.” Wolfe cleared his throat, which was unusually dry, then tried it again. “Good.”
He sat on the arm of the couch, his hand firmly on Eric’s shoulder, ready to whisk him away should things in the house get any more tense, while Danny made formal introductions for all those who hadn’t met before.
Alexei, generally quiet in a group setting, spoke up. He pointed to Lucien and Jamie. “So it’s the two of you who’ve been raiding the blood banks? Mystery solved?”
“Psh, no,” Jamie said. “We just got here. We were on a road trip, hunting a particularly slippery serial killer.”
“Delicious,” Lucien murmured, wrapping one arm around his mate’s hip.
“And I had one of my helpful visions,” Jamie continued. “Except it was kind of confusing. Like, a vampire in Hyde Park. But he was young. Like, really young.” He shifted in place, clearly disturbed. “A child.”
Wolfe felt Eric tense under his hold.
“Oh my God.” Danny looked horrified. “Can that happen?Doesthat happen?”
Roman shrugged, looking to Lucien, who did the same. “We haven’t heard of it, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.”
“It can,” Johann piped up, sounding sad. “It’s really frowned upon though. Like, very taboo.”
Danny made a strangled noise. “And they just stay a kid forever?”
