“That’s insane.”
“That’s reality,” Blade says, not unkindly.“And the reality is, you can’t stay here.Not alone.Not with that mark making you a beacon.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Tessa says immediately.
“You don’t have a choice,” Blade counters.
“The hell I don’t.This is my life.My house.My—”
“It’s your funeral if you stay here,” I cut in, unable to stay silent any longer.“That mark is a direct line to you.Whatever’s hunting you can find you anywhere.It can reach through the mark, use it as a conduit.You stay here alone, you die.It’s that simple.”
Her eyes flash with anger and fear.“So what, I’m just supposed to move into your clubhouse?Live surrounded by vampires and werewolves and whatever else you’ve got there?That’s your solution?”
“It’s the only solution that keeps you alive,” I say, and step closer to her, close enough I can see the gold flecks in her brown eyes, close enough to count her heartbeats.“I know you don’t want this.You came to Crystal Creek to get away from...whatever you left behind.I know the last thing you want is to be dragged into our world.”
“Then why—”
“Because I’m not letting you die,” I say, and the words come out rougher than I intend, edged with a possessiveness I have no right to feel.“Because that mark on your shoulder means something ancient and evil has claimed you, and I’ll be damned if I let it take you.”
She stares at me, her lips slightly parted, her breathing quick and shallow.For a moment, the rest of the room fades away.It’s just her and me and this thing between us neither of us wants to name.
Then Blade clears his throat.
“Tessa,” he says.“The Kings protect what’s ours.And anyone in our territory who needs protection is ours.You don’t have to like it.You don’t have to trust us.But you’re coming with us tonight, even if I have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you out.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.”
They stare at each other, Blade’s will against Tessa’s stubbornness, and I can see the moment she realizes he’s serious.That we’re all serious.
“Fine,” she says finally, the word like glass in her mouth.“But I want my own room.With a lock.And if any of you—”
“You’ll be next to Vex,” Blade says.“He’s strong enough to protect you if something comes through the mark at night.”
Her eyes cut to me.“No.”
“Not negotiable,” Blade says.“Vex is VP for a reason.He’s the strongest vampire in the territory.You need him.”
“I don’t need—”
“You do,” I say quietly, and hold her gaze.“I know I’m the last person you want near you.I know what you saw that night in the hut scared you.But I swear to you, Tessa, I will keep you safe.Whatever’s coming for you, it’s going to have to go through me first.”
Something in her expression softens, just for a second.Then it’s gone, replaced by her walls, her defenses.
“Pack a bag,” Blade says.“We leave in ten minutes.”
Tessa looks between the three of us, then at Hannah, who’s been quiet this whole time.Hannah gives her an encouraging nod.
“This is insane,” Tessa mutters, but she heads toward her bedroom.
The moment she’s out of earshot, Prophet turns to me.“You’re compromised.”
“I know.”
“Blade needs you thinking clearly.”
“I know.”
