Page 52 of Guardians for the Vamp
I let the veggies simmer and peel Layla off my back, making sure to give her a quick kiss before she sits down at the kitchen island.
“Entire families could no longer protect villages or cities together. There are exceptions. If the city is large like Paris or New York, then up to three relatives can be in the same army. Only towns with populations of at least ten thousand will be guarded and there must be at least two gargoyle guards on patrol so one is never left vulnerable. And we must stay masked around humans at all times.”
I check on the egg rolls baking in the oven. Satisfied they’re done, I turn off the heat and keep them in there to stay warm while waiting for the stir fry to finish.
“When I joined Xander’s army shortly after my family was slaughtered, I hadn’t expected anything more than the camaraderie of my fellow fighters. I wasn’t looking for replacements. Though Locheran treats me like a brother, and he’s annoyingly loud and hyper like one of my older brothers had been.”
I frown at the thought.
Locheran and Xander are the closest I have to brothers now. Locheran drags me out to human bars and clubs, sometimes Xander even goes. Or, at least, he did beforemeeting his mate. We’ve had plenty of poker nights or nights where we talk about the battles we’ve fought and compared our goriest kills.
Everything’s changing, though, with me in this new role and Xander focusing on his mate.
And me focusing onmymates.
“So, I don’t trust easily, and I don’t offer my love often. That being said, what I feel for the both of you is nothing like I’ve experienced before.”
“Have you ever been in love? Not the love of family or friends butromanticlove?” Vara asks, grabbing a beer from the fridge.
She opens it with ease and hands it to me. She knows I don’t drink often, but tonight I need it. Even if it’s just one or two to relax me.
I shrug. “I suppose not. Is love supposed to hurt? Because that’s how this feels, especially when you two aren’t here. I know it’s the bond, tethering us. But I also feel protective and jealous. I can’t even count how many times I’ve had to stop myself from tearing someone to shreds anytime they got too close to either of you.”
“I know what you mean,” Layla laughs. “Teddy and Millie have a crush on you, Thorne, and I want to rip their eyes from their heads anytime they check you out.”
I stand taller.
“They think I’m cute?”
She shakes her head. “The words they used were hot. Godly.”
“I’ve met Gods,” Vara scoffs. “They’re beautiful but assholes. Thorne is beautiful and kind.”
“I think you mean dangerous and sexy,” I say, puffing out my chest.
“Please,” Vara chuckles. “Don’t be toxic. Besides, I have no doubt you could rip a spine from a body. But you’re also delicate and considerate, especially when it comes to pleasuring us.”
Vara waves her hand toward the stove.
“And you can cook.”
“A lot of immortals can cook,” I say, amused. “We have time to learn to be great at a lot of things.”
“Then please share with the class the other talents you have.” Layla’s face lights up at the prospect.
My cheeks warm because it’s been far too long since I’ve shared such personal details about myself. I’ve already talked more tonight than I typically speak in an entire week.
But with Layla and Vara, it comes naturally.
“I like to sing, and I think I’m decent at it. I can also play several instruments: piano, guitar,drums.”
Layla gasps. “Well now you have to sing for us. I have a piano in the sitting room.”
My phone dings with a text from a guard letting me know someone is here at the entrance of the penthouse.
Layla’s dinner.
“After we eat,” I say, giving the vampire a wink.
