Or, maybe not for years to come. If we succeed, it will be a town like any other.
“You may,” I say softly, surprising myself. I expect Callos to be giddy with this permission, but he’s not. He knows what I’m allowing him to do. Out of everyone…I dare think he understands. Perhaps because he’s the most well-read and he knows the long and bloody history of this conflict. “But I have one request—a condition.”
“Yes?”
“If I ask it of you, you’ll destroy the records.”
He winces at my ultimatum.
But I continue regardless, “I know, or have gathered, you’re not the sort who would want to destroy any kind of history or record. But I have no guarantees, should we fail in breaking the curse, that the next vampir lord or lady would be as understanding to humans as Ruvan has been.”
“If it comes to that, I will leave the next vampir lord word and make it clear all we have accomplished and things will be different. They will try to work with the hamlet after all I will tell them,” Ruvan says, far too optimistically.
“If they heed those words,” I counter gently. “And even if they do…it’s unlikely they’ll find a human to help them further. You only have me on your side with luck that you didn’t kill me and I didn’t end up killing myself. The chances of circumstances aligning for another lord or lady is slim.” And if what Ruvan said earlier is true, those future lords and ladies are likely not to be nearly the same caliber of person Ruvan is.
“We saw the hunters’ collars on the night of the Blood Moon,” Callos murmurs. “I saw one used.”
I nod. “The people of Hunter’s Hamlet are trained to die before we help a vampir, or let one take our blood. I’m amazed you managed to collect any blood at all for your stores.”
The more I speak, the more I think about how impossible it is that I’m here. That I’m still willing to work with Ruvan. More than willing to work with him… I massage my neck, thinking of the feeling of his arms around me. The heat of our bodies pressed flush together. The need that rises within me to a melting point the moment his hands and fangs are upon me.
Ruvan sees the motion and I quickly drop my hand. The thoughts have sparked the kindling that is constantly in wait between us. I can feel the start of that push and pull beginning. A need that will drive me mad if not satiated.
“So if this doesn’t work—if it doesn’t look like we’ll be successful…” I force myself to stay focused, for now. I might indulge myself later. “Then I want this information destroyed. Because, if it’s not, the next vampir lord or lady will use it to annihilate everything I’ve ever loved and I can’t carry on with that weighing on me. It’ll be too unbearable.”
Callos sighs and then, to my surprise, says, “Very well.”
“Truly?”
“I give you my word. Sorry, but that will have to be good enough, as you cannot be bloodsworn with two people.” He chuckles. “And I would not dare to enter into any kind of oath with another’s bloodsworn.”
Ruvan takes a half step toward me at the mere mention of another oath. A protective aura envelops me. He’s put off by the mere idea of Callos doing anything with me. The sensation causes heat to rise up my chest, threatening to reach my cheeks.
I’ve been guarded and protected my whole life. But Ruvan’s defensiveness feels different. Delightful, even. It’s because this is the protection I choose and for that reason, unlike the protection the title of forge maiden offered, I can remove it with a request.
“I believe you,” I say, and offer Callos an encouraging smile.
“I appreciate your trust.” Callos dips his chin. “I shall extend the same faith to you.”
“Oh?”
His eyes dart between me and Ruvan. “To keep our lord at his best.” He has the makings of a coy grin. I’m too stunned to say anything else before he bows his head and departs down the stairs.
Ruvan’s hand slips into mine, drawing my attention to him.
“You’re right, they know,” I whisper.
“Let them know.” He shrugs. “This world is dark and the night is unyielding; the least we can do is fill it with sweet, forbidden dreams.”
Once more, I’m stunned to silence. Ruvan takes advantage of the moment, leaning forward to hoist me into his arms. I grab his shoulders for stability.
“Where are you taking me?” I ask, somewhat playfully. I already know where—his bedroom—and, for the first time, I am ready to be there.
“I am stealing you away, of course.” He has a grin that promises all those aforementioned, forbidden dreams. The sort of grin that I’ve only ever seen men give to women before they slip into the night together—the sort that makes my head spin and heat swell from my toes all the way to the tops of my ears. “As vampir lords do.”
“Ah, yes, and I am a hunter, so I should put up a fight.” It strikes me, briefly, that I can call myself a hunter now. I still can’t lie to Ruvan, so it must be true. The revelation fills me, thrills me, as much as he does.
“I welcome it. I like your fangs.”
“Careful, or you’ll find out just how hard I can bite.” I extend upward and take the muscle of his neck between my teeth, biting just hard enough to leave a mark.
Ruvan lets out a low growl and takes the stairs two at a time. He can’t get there fast enough.
