Page 61 of Guardians for the Vamp
“Can I just say how much I both love and hate that acronym,” Vara adds.
I chuckle and shrug as we weave through the crowd to find the humans we’ve connected with over the past few months.
“Queen Aldana,” a smooth, almost ethereal, voice says from behind me. I turn to find probably the hottest man I’ve ever seen.
He’s a vampire, that’s for sure. One I haven’t met, which isn’t surprising since there are about 2,000 vampires living in New York City. However, this vamp radiates power, and I wonderwhyI don’t know him.
He has dark curly hair placed wildly around his head, and his skin is somewhat tanned despite the deathly pallorof being a vampire. His eyes are sapphire blue as I stare up into them, because he’s slightly taller than Vara.
She’s also drooling over this man and even Thorne can’t look away. He must not find the vampire a threat because he hasn’t moved to protect us. He did, however, step closer and thread his fingers with mine and Vara’s.
“Sorry to interrupt. My name is Rory. I overheard a conversation you were having earlier with the gargoyle king and the short little witch with the protection tattoos.”
Is that what those were? I had wondered why the ink had been so vibrant.
“You’re in search of someone who knows about three-way mate bonding?”
I nod, my eyes shifting around to make sure no one is paying us attention. All the humans are enthralled with their new supernatural friends, and supes love being the center of attention, so they are focused on the humans, eating up this newfound adoration.
“I can help.”
“And you are?” Vara asks, arms crossed and brow raised. She might find him hot, but she doesn’t trust him.
“As I said, my name is Rory. But I suppose you might know me as Rorik. Rorik Sevier.”
I gasp.
“The first vampire?”
Chapter 17 – Thorne
No fucking way.
“Way,” Rorik says, answering my words that I didn’t realize I had voiced. I’m confident Ididn’tsay them out loud. “I’m intrigued by this unveiling plan. Thought I’d make an appearance to assure you all don’t fuck it up.”
Vara scoffs, but Layla holds her head up high.
“Well, you see tonight went off without a hitch. Convinced yet?”
The corner of his mouth tilts up slightly, and I wonder how many vampires are brave enough to stand up to him.
“Not yet. Humans are too unpredictable. To be honest, so are we.” He tilts his head. “You’re not worried,are you, Queen?”
“It’s Queen Aldana,Rory,” Vara hisses. “What kind of name is that anyway for an elder vampire?”
Rorik narrows his eyes at the sphinx. Why is she provoking him?
“I’ve gone by Rory since I was a child. Sometimes I go by Rorik. You, more than anyone, should know that to survive this long is to adapt. To change with the times. That includes names,Varalin.”
Vara’s eyes widen, and Rory chuckles.
“You think I didn’t know your full name? I know every supernatural being in this city.” He turns to me. “Even the silent ones.”
I blush, which only amuses the vamp.
“Like I said, I can help you three get answers. Unless you don’t want to know what happens when you complete the bond.”
He turns to walk away.
