Page 100 of Bound by Vengeance
“You know it will destroy Vicky if you don’tcomplete the bond,” Kadence said, her face set in disapproval.“Many of the hunters, and the elders, won’t approve of you becominga vampire, but she’ll die otherwise, and I’m not exaggerating that.If she’s fed from you, and from what I can tell,youfromher,you’ve… you’vedoomedher. What were youthinking?”
Ronan stepped closer to her while Declanfaded back to examine the hallway.
“This isn’t something I’m willing to discusswith you,” Nathan said.
Kadence blocked his path when he went tostep around her. “It’s not my business, but I like Vicky, and Ilove you. If you allowed this to happen, then that means somethingin you is also reacting to her. I can’t see you allowing a vampireto feed on you otherwise. Over time, not completing the bond willdestroy you too. Maybe not as fast as her, but it will eat youalive. We have demon DNA too, and this is one of the traits weshare with vampires.”
“I know that, Kadence.” He’d known it thesecond Vicky’s blood hit his tongue and infused him with not only awave of power but also the knowledge there would never be anotherwoman who could complete him the way she did. “I know what shemeans to me and what I am to her. I can’t walk away from everythingelse though, especially not now. You didn’t have much freedom inthe stronghold, but in many ways, you’ve always hadmorefreedom than me.”
When tears shimmered in Kadence’s eyes,Ronan rested his hand on her shoulder and drew her closer. Declanleaned against the wall and folded his arms over his chest as hestudied Nathan.
“I will work through this,” Nathan said. “Itwill take time, but Iwillfigure it out, and I will do thatwith Vicky. Things have drastically changed for the hunters. We canonly move forward in a completely different direction. Ronan and Ihave discussed some things that I plan to put before the hunterstoday.”
Kadence’s jaw dropped. “You intend to staywith Vicky?”
“If she’ll have me, and if she can wait. Iknow it’s not usually a long transformation for a human to become avampire, but yours was longer than normal. With everything goingon, I can’t leave the hunters without a leader for any length oftime,” Nathan replied. “Not until things have calmed somewhat.”
“I never thought you’d consider becoming avampire.”
“Neither did I, but I won’t lose her, and Iwillnotcondemn her to death.”
“Then you should probably stop theelders.”
Nathan’s jaw clenched. “Stop them fromwhat?”
“They’ve combined the Mayday celebrationwith the engagement ceremony.”
“I told them there would benoengagement ceremony today,” he snarled.
Before she could reply, he turned away andstormed down the hall.
CHAPTER 43
Nathan stalked across the beach and towardthe fire, every inch of him exuding wrath. Lured forward by hispresence, Vicky crept passed the outdoor pool and the shuttered bararea. Sand shifted beneath her feet when she stopped on top of adune to listen.
Abby and Brian flanked her sides as Kadence,Ronan, and Declan emerged from the hotel behind Nathan. Asher andLogan stopped scowling when they saw Nathan and moved closer to thecircle. Nathan pushed through the outer edge of the crowd andapproached the woman standing near the fire.
“You’re just in time, Nathan,” Ida greetedand grabbed Simone’s arm before he could reply.
Ida’s grin faltered, and her eyes widened athim when Nathan stopped before her. Then, she smiled again, lifteda pink and blue ribbon, and drew Simone forward. For so long, manyassumed he and Simone would be chosen for each other, but he’dhoped to stop this before it could be confirmed.
Simone bowed her head and color crept intoher cheeks. The fact she would be upset or embarrassed by this onlyinfuriated him more.
Vicky tried to get her feet to turn away,but they remained planted in the sand as the elder brought forwarda beautiful woman to stand before Nathan. Tears burned Vicky’seyes; her heart lumbered in her chest as she struggled tobreathe.
She couldn’t deny they made a strikingcouple or that this woman was the ideal candidate for his wife; shedoubted the elders would choose anyone less than the best for theirleader.
Abby rested her hand on Vicky’s arm as shespoke. “We should go.”
“No,” Vicky said.
“Vicky—”
“I have to see this.”
Abby’s hand tightened on her arm, but shedidn’t argue with her.
“I told you yesterday this wouldnothappen today,” Nathan grated through his teeth.
