“Fuck, they can certainly try. I will definitely go on a beheading spree.” I would entertain doing the same to mere humans if they tried to fuck with my family and me.
“Speaking of threats, what did you do to that Aberdeen sister?”
I grinned. “Made it so she couldn’t speak.”
“Christ, Mason. I know what you’re capable of, but I’m always amazed at what you can do.”
“Alia Costner taught me well.” She had been a math teacher at the human high school where Jo and I attended when we’d been in foster care. At the time, little had we known vampire DNA ran in her blood, although she’d never opted to turn vampire. She wanted kids, so she chose to stay human.
In our world, those who carried the vampire gene were given a choice at the age of sixteen—vampire or human. Most usually chose to turn, but some, like Alia, didn’t.
If I’d been given the choice, I couldn’t say what path I would’ve taken. I credited Alia for teaching me how to temper and use my powers, which had been out of control as a new vampire. My father had hired her as a private tutor for Jo and me. Even though she’d chosen to keep her humanity, Alia knew how to wield magic. Apparently, she had a line of witches in her family on her mother’s side. Thanks to her, my compelling abilities were not the standard for a vampire.
Tripp stood to his full height of six-four. “I have to see where Sawyer and the tech team are in finding the Aberdeens and if our system has been hacked.” He threw the towel into a basket near the bench and strutted out as my old man came in. They exchanged a few words about progress on the mole before Tripp’s footsteps faded.
My father went over to our stash of practice weapons strewn on the floor and picked up a sword. He’d changed out of his tailored suit for a casual look of black pants and a blue button-down shirt. His black hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, and he looked like he could use some blood, given the veiny red lines in the whites of his green eyes. “It’s been a long time since I used one of these.” He ran the tip of his finger over the blade.
Yeah, we fought with the real thing. The blade wasn’t cobalt, and we healed quickly. No big deal.
“Sounds to me like you miss your commander role,” I said. “Is being an elder on the council not cutting it?”
“I love my role as head of the vampire military, but being peacekeeper between us and the human government isn’t a fun job.”
I picked my T-shirt up off my bag and threw it over my head. “Why did you take it, then?”
“Someone has to if we’re going to keep anarchy and chaos at bay in this world.”
“Are the humans not playing nice?”
“They’re an odd bunch.” He set down the sword. “I’ll get right to the point, son. Under no circumstances should you engage in any kind of personal encounter with the vampire hunters. Are we clear?”
“Are you telling me who I can and can’t fuck?” I knew he would try to give me advice after being in my head when we were in the war room.
Within a second, my old man and I were nose to nose. “I’m warning you. Nothing good can come out of getting involved with an Aberdeen. Trust me on this.”
“I’m down for sparring with you, Pops. Seems to me you need to get rid of some anger.”
He flared his nostrils. “Did you not hear me?”
“Loud and clear. But do you think I’m stupid? Just because I feel the urge to screw someone doesn’t mean I will. What’s really got you spooked?” He wasn’t telling me something. “Really. Talk to me.”
He scraped a hand over his chin. “I’m worried what will happen if you let your dick drive you into a situation that will start a war. With the combination of sex and the need to taste her blood, you won’t be able to control yourself. Your hunger for both is extremely strong, and it will blind you.”
“But Pops, it’s not like I can get her pregnant, and I’m good at controlling my bloodlust.” I’d never said I was good at controlling my sexual appetite.
He studied me like I had ten heads. “Well, let’s see how strong you really are.”
“Come again?”
“Layla Aberdeen is here.”
I grinned like an ass. “Told you.” I started for the door, eager to see the vivacious redhead.
Dad blocked me, ramming a hand into my chest. “Not so fast. And wipe that smirk off your face.”
“I can handle this.” Or maybe not. Maybe he was right, and I would start a war.
“I have no problems overstepping Webb’s authority here and throwing you in the brig until we find out what the Aberdeens are up to. After all, I am your father.”
