He didn’t disappoint. With a dismissive shrug, he answered, “Because I’m keeping her.”
“Excuse me?” Val stood. So petite compared to the reaper, yet her power burned as fiercely as his.
Khent turned to her. “I’m sorry. Did you not hear me? I’m keeping you.”
“For what?” Val looked a little hunted.
Hecate hid a smile.
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m accepting you as my mate.”
“Wh-wh…” Val tapered off, incredulous. “Y-you…”
Khent smiled. “I think the words you’re looking for are, thank you. Maybe thank you, Master, or thank you, great Lord of Death.” He nodded. At her expression, he frowned. “Is there some problem with the great honor I’ve bestowed upon you?”
And that was Hecate’s cue to leave.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-EIGHT
“You don’t just tellsomeone you’re keeping them without asking first,” Val said, incensed. “And what is a mate, exactly? Your baby mama? Sex toy? Wife? Girlfriend? What?”
Khent studied her. “You sound aggressive, angry even.” The bastard smiled. “I like it.”
“Stop. Just… Explain.”
He sighed. “It’s good the witch goddess left. We should talk.”
“So talk.”
“I believe in honesty. I’m curious about you, Valentine Darkmore. Because you’re not who you seem to be.”
“And who do I seem to be?” Why was her heart racing? Why did she suddenly see a shadow of those glorious black wings at his back coming to life?
“You appear human. You’ve known pain and tragedy, felt weakness and loss to those stronger than you. Yet there is a power deep inside you that’s not mortal at all. I’m connected to you through it.” He frowned. “No. Perhaps because of it?”
“No, you’re not,” she said just to be contrary. “You wanted me before that.”
“Hmm. So I did.”
“I— What?”
He shrugged, as if his confession didn’t matter. “I find you attractive. I don’t know what it is about you. Your features are pleasant enough. You’re pretty, enchanting, actually, when you smile. Your joy is surprisingly infectious.”
“Like a disease.”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Not feeling the romance here, Khent.” She tapped her foot, nervous and not sure why. He had to be jerking her chain. Sure, she felt the connection between them. But humans and vampires didn’t mix. She had a standing date with death—no pun intended—and didn’t think she’d live through her battle with Vladimir. Plus, she’d just met Khent not even a week ago, not counting their first battle back in February.
“I don’t know romance. I know death, war, and battle. I live for my laboratory and my pets.”
“And your family?”
“My kin?” He considered that. “I suppose so. They’ve earned my loyalty.”
“Yeah, well, I live in a world based on emotion. I have my own loyalties.” She swallowed hard then put it out there. “I find you attractive too. The sex is amazing.”
