Before she could use her power or wield her magic Aldon raised his hand, saluted her and said, “This isn’t over.”
Then he disappeared, leaving Nathan on the ground, Trey growling at empty air and Sadie standing over the two of them—braced for war with no adversary in sight.
Chapter Four
Protection.
Find what you need.
Sword, sword, sword.
Sadie’s training kicked in, directing her as though she were on autopilot. Aldon could reappear at any moment. In order to defend herself and everyone else she needed her weapon. She closed her eyes and focused, calling on her magic. The blade she carried had been attuned to her by blood.
If it was nearby she’d sense it…
There.
She didn’t hesitate, launching herself over the railing. The instant she landed she moved, hurrying toward the hum of magic. It didn’t matter why Aldon hadn’t kept the sword instead of tossing it in the trash. His stupidity equaled her gain. She saw the sheath, identifying the leather she painstakingly oiled once a week.
Yes. This is what she needed.
The instant the hilt hit her hand she pulled the weapon free of the casing.
Movement caught her eye. She reared back, ready to dish out some heavy damage, sending a surge of magic down her arm and into her weapon. She’d expected an attack. Aldon would come at her blindly, ready to take her down immediately. What she hadn’t anticipated was Trey—naked as the day he was born—wrapping his arms around her waist as he sank to his knees. The thrill of impending battle had her blood pumping but Trey’s touch sent her thoughts in another direction. A split second, the weight of his body leaning steadily against hers, and she was doomed. She lowered her arm and peered down, gazing at his dark hair and tanned, muscular shoulders.
She’d been so wrong.
Memories didn’t do him justice at all.
In person he was bigger, stronger—sexier.
Licking her lips, she savored the small sampling of blood she hadn’t bothered wiping away. She should have asked for permission but she hadn’t. When she’d bitten him earlier she’d been too focused on her hunger to think about consideration or lust. Now, however, she was more than aware of the man. She could smell him, feel the heat of his body and hear the hurried rhythm of his pulse.
“Easy, darlin’,” he murmured, his voice like gravel cascading over silk. “I’ve got you.”
Her eyes burned as she struggled to hold back tears.
If only that was true.
She wanted so desperately for it to be, for Trey to hold her, keep her…
Love her.
Months of longing had brought her to this moment, confronting her own worst enemy. Even if she’d tried to convince herself that she’d deny the male, she wanted him too much to do so. She could have died without experiencing any of the things she yearned for most with the man at her feet. The blood she’d consumed rushed through her body, suffusing her muscles with life, bringing on a desire so strong it could devour them both.
Her nipples hardened to points, the fire in her belly pulsing downward to her clit. His hair brushed her forearm when he feathered his lips over her free hand, the teeniest of touches yet goose bumps spread all over her skin. How would those prickly strands feel against her thighs if he went down on her? Would he take his time? Or would he go at her like the wild man she imagined he’d be?
He’d know what he was doing. Men like him had years of experience.
“Leigh.” Nathan’s appearance at the foot of the stairs—as well as the name he uttered—iced the heat in Sadie’s veins. “Where did she go?” he demanded, snarling. “Take me to her.”
How selfish could she possibly be?
One touch and she’d forgotten about her responsibilities. Leigh’s safety wasn’t important. Nothing was. All she could think about was Trey—his scent, his warmth, how good he felt.
Damn her for being so weak and vulnerable.
She deserved whatever she had coming to her.
“Where is she?” Nathan shouted.
Sadie wanted to respond but wasn’t certain what she should say.
Leigh had taken enough of Sadie’s blood to flee but was her friend safe? Had she taken shelter at the coven? Or had she ventured to a safe house? Sadie hadn’t had enough time to think ahead or ask her sister-in-magic what her plans might be. Since Aldon had made it clear he’d do whatever it took ensure Leigh’s capture—and the fucking prick was strong enough to phase her out of any location—she had to make sure Leigh would be safe. The coven had power but was only capable of so much. They weren’t physical creatures and never had been.
That was her job.
You’ve got to go. Find her. Formulate a plan.
Shifters—to her knowledge—didn’t read minds, but Trey might as well have. “No,” he growled, holding her tighter. “You’re not going anywhere.” She wondered how it was possible, thinking maybe she’d misdirected a thought in his direction when he said, “You belong to me, baby. Leigh told me everything. The moment you drank from me you sealed the deal. You’re stuck with me. Don’t even think about trying to escape.”
What the hell did that mean? She belonged to him?
Fuck no, she didn’t.
He’d turned her away not so long ago—even as he confessed she was the female intended for him—and she’d been humiliated. She remembered the agony of his dismissal, his rejection corroding her heart from the inside out. Even if he wanted her physically he didn’t have the balls to claim her as his mate to his pack. There was too much at stake. Shepherds had attacked Trey’s city, the werewolves he protected needed him more than she did and they both knew it.
Nothing had changed since then.
He wanted to fuck her. Maybe even to keep her on his terms.
But at what cost?
Suddenly the sword felt too heavy, the air in the room too thick.
To her shame she admitted that she’d be whatever he wanted her to be.
“Why are you even here?” She found it odd she felt so detached from the words, as though someone else had posed the question rather than herself. “Why did you come?”
“Leigh brought us,” Nathan answered, talking in a rush of words, his brows furrowed as he wrung his hands. “She told us you needed help—she told us everything.” He lowered his arms, his hazel green gaze so intense it was difficult for Sadie to meet his eyes. “She’s my mate and belongs at my side. I have a right to know where she is.”
What in the ever-loving hell? You’ve got to be shitting me.
Perhaps it was fatigue or shock that made her laugh at the possibility of such a thing. She tried to wrench herself from Trey’s embrace. When that didn’t work she lifted the sword clutched in her hand. He intercepted her mid-swing, capturing her wrist. He maintained his grip on her waist with his other arm, keeping her snug against him. Like this, she couldn’t move. She was trapped once more, unable to do anything.
“Your mate?” she snarled, blood pounding in her head, emotional demons from the past whispering in her ear. “You expect me to believe that both of you mated with vampires? Contrary to what you might assume, I’m not a total idiot. She’s a member of my coven. I’m responsible for her protection.”
No way would she stand by as Nathan cast Leigh aside. She knew how deeply that wound went. He’d break the young woman’s heart, ripping her chest open and watching her slowly bleed to death. Leigh had been through enough. Sadie would be damned if she let the woman be hurt on her watch.
Bolstered by fury, she snapped, “She doesn’t need or want you, asshole. If she belongs by anyone’s side it’s mine.”