Page 39 of Protected by the Vampire

My breath hitched.

“My existence was dull until you walked into my life. I will do everything in my power to keep our ember burning brightly as we travel through our worlds together. I love you, too, Theo.”

“Baby, your words…. Fuck, they mean everything.”

“You mean everything,” I told him.

Smiling, I leaned in and kissed my mate again. Our bond fluttered in happiness and love.

A throat cleared before Monkey said, “So, Riker and his brothers are shifters and Soren’s a vampire. What does that make you?”

Spade and I shared a smile before he tucked an arm around my waist as we faced everyone. Dashiel was silently staring down at Monkey.

“Dash is an elf,” Riker explained. He wore clothes that were too big for him. No doubt they came from Razor. “He’s a prince among his kind, but he prefers our world over his. Besides, he’s got a heap of other brothers to take care of their kingdom.”

“Wait,” Theo called. “Are we allowed to tell Monkey and Coms this? I thought no human was to be informed unless they’re fated mates or connected to one?”

Deacon grunted. “Soren will erase this night from their minds.”

“Boooo,” Riker muttered. Razor dragged him into his arms and looked annoyed by the protocol too.

Theo turned to me. “You can do that?”

I nodded. “A vampire talent when it comes to humans, but I have never used it on you. However, since we’ve bonded, it wouldn’t have worked on you anyway.”

“Huh” was all Theo said in return.

“We won’t say anythin’ to anyone,” Monkey stated.

Coms nodded. “What Monkey said. We ain’t gonna tell anyone this.”

“We’ll talk about it. For now, Coms, can you check on the guards outside?” Razor asked.

Coms’s lips thinned. He looked at Monkey and said, “Try and talk some sense into them.” To the room, he added, “I get not everyone knowin’, but we just saw a lot of shit and didn’t freak out. We won’t say anythin’.” He met everyone’s stare before he walked from the room.

“Coms is right. Doesn’t this count for anythin’? I don’t want my mind wiped.” Monkey sighed when no one said anything. “I’m gonna go get the others and bring them back. I hope while I’m gone, you can somehow work out how Coms and I can stay in the know.”

Once he was gone, Riker said, “I’m calling Mom.” She was on the council and could possibly give them permission to keep their memories.

“It’s a good idea to try for Theo and Razor’s brothers,” I suggested.

Riker nodded, smiling wide as he skipped off to make the call.

Razor ran a hand through his hair. “What are the chances of it?” He turned to Deacon and Nox, who were watching the kitchen door Monkey had gone through. No doubt their mates were the ones Monkey was retrieving.

Then the shifter brothers shared a look. “Hard to know. They’re not blood related to anyone.”

Dashiel cleared this throat. “Perhaps someone within their ancestors had a connection to us others that could be used?”

Razor nodded. “Could be somethin’ we can look into.”

“We’ll wait for Riker to get off the phone and see what was said,” Deacon suggested. He took a step toward the kitchen doors just before they opened to reveal Monkey, then Rio, Keiran, and an older man.

“That’s Monkey’s father, Landon,” Theo explained quietly. “He took Rio and Kieran to safety.”

As the shifters made their way to their fated mates, Dashiel suddenly let out a pained groan, slapping a hand to his neck, which had the shifters spinning back around.

Then Landon cried out before he dropped to his knees, gripping his wrist.