“That I respect.” Varu was a Worthy patriarch and vampire. He had his priorities right.
Macy blew out a tired breath. “Look, I’m trying to help. You two need to hold up somewhere until I find out how to break this spell. I’m still not sure how Sabine had the power to bewitch you though.”
“She used a dagger coated in brimstone.”
Macy’s eyes widened. “Whoa. A demon blade. That makes sense. Nothing affects you guys, normally. Not from this plane or the fae realm. But it figures the hell planes have sway over death-bringers. We just don’t know much about them.”
Kaia asked in a quiet voice, “Could he be possessed?”
He liked that she continued to hold onto his arm. “I’m not possessed, Kaia. I don’t think.” He felt inside himself but sensed only his powerful bloode and a tie to the female next to him. He heard her heart racing and urged her heartbeat to match the rhythm of his.
She calmed, and he smiled.
Macy looked more disturbed. “Orion, step me through whatever you remember.”
He sighed. “Is this necessary? I’m happy with Kaia.”
“Please.” Kaia looked up at him, worry on her face. “It would be great if you told Macy what happened. I want to know too.”
“Fine. It was Sunday night. All the others scattered so I got the shit job of investigating the mystery island. Neptune didn’t like that someone was squatting in his territory, I’m guessing.”
“Sounds about right,” Macy muttered.
“I took the new boat. It’s a sweet little thirty-five foot yacht, all decked out. Really nice.”
“Orion, focus.”
He flipped her the bird, but Macy only grinned. “Anyhow,” he continued, “I docked just south of Whidbey. I thought it odd to see the mystery island, and I could tell it’s a magir construct. It’s in a pocket dimension.” At Kaia’s nod, he continued. “So I walked off the boat, through the snow, and heard a woman cry out. Lycans were fighting and ripping at her. I killed a few, let some go in hopes they’d try harder to kill me. It’s so disappointing when no one puts up a good fight anymore.”
“Wait,” Kaia said. “You walked onto the island? Into the woods?”
“Yeah.”
“Nothing stopped you? No wards or traps?”
“No. I think that’s the point, that island opens up its doors, so to speak, so it can trap whatever lands. The woman was hot.” He settled his gaze on her. “You, I mean, the sea witch, but I didn’t know she was the sea witch when I bit her. She told me to bite, and I drank her down.” He frowned and rubbed his chest, memories of the sea witch’s blood not quite right. “She was sweet at first. I think.” He stared at Kaia, seeing her face imposed on another woman, one slightly taller with a fuller build.
“Orion?”
“It’s a little fuzzy. I think I blacked out after I drank from her. I was inside a fancy bedroom. We talked, her and me. I do know she had that brimstone dagger. I think...” He rubbed his chest again, feeling the burn of more than just a blade. Darkness, a presence pushing through his veins. “Then Kaia showed up and we got the hell out of there.”
Kaia patted his hand. “Thank you.”
“Sure, sweetness.” He leaned down to kiss her again, needing to touch her constantly. To mark her with his scent. She was his. He really needed to finish their bonding, and leaving a magical bit of himself inside her would do just the trick.
He saw her flush and knew she’d received the message he’d sent. The way vryko mates often did, the passing of messages like water gliding through the pores of thought. A psychic bond that lasted until the female bore fruit. Then she’d leave, and strong vryko fathers would raise strong sons.
Orion glanced at Kaia’s belly and thought wistfully of putting his own son there. Just one of course, because vampires could have only one child with one mate. But wouldn’t it be fantastic if his son turned out to be a twin? Rare but not unheard of. Oh man, he couldn’t wait to get started.
Kaia turned to her sister. “What do we do, Macy?”
Orion had an easy answer. “Nothing. Let’s head back to the house. We’re mated. There’s nothing to do except find a bed to share.” He had no issue whatsoever with letting his mate lead him. He trusted her. He didn’t know her all that well yet. But that was okay. They had nothing but time. The Bloode Stones, his clan, Hecate, all of that paled next to his beautiful mate.
Now he just needed to show her.
Kaia shotOrion the fakest smile she’d ever used. “Hey, Orion. I need to talk to Macy about some girl stuff. Can you wait here for us? And don’t listen.”
The hulking vryko grinned. “Girl stuff, eh? Well, sure. I’ll be right here. Waiting.”
