“I will kill everyone who steps in my way if I feel it’s necessary.My mate is here, and she’s in danger.”Savage voiced the last bit even though Scepter knew he didn’t have to.Savage wasn’t a male who liked to explain himself.In fact, to his recollection, Scepter was sure the other male didn’t do so often, if ever.He was the King and didn’t need to explain himself.
His actions were out of character, which Scepter and the others would need to give him some grace.Many thought he’d lose his mind long before now.Hell, Savage himself had feared they’d need to take his head.The male was unparalleled in battle and strength.They knew he’d go batshit crazy and kill them all.Since Savage found his bonded mate, they wouldn’t need to worry as much.
Scepter pushed his worry aside and met Savage on the other side of the dance floor.His friend’s face was grim.“Trystina and Trystan are on damage control.Where is your female?”he asked.
“Follow me.I have her scent.The males who brought her went this way.Astaroth and his males are trying to close in on her,” he replied evenly.Scepter could tell Savage was trying to maintain the professional tone that had become his armor.
“Let’s go, Savage.If we have to take them all out, we’ll handle the shitshow as it comes.”Scepter and Savage glided through the crowd, becoming mist at the same time.
“What does your female look like?”Scepter asked.
Savage’s brow furrowed as he appeared to concentrate for a moment.“She’s stunning, with long dark hair like a curtain of silk that sways when she walks.She has curves in all the right places, like a...a runner.Yes, I could picture her running, but you should not.In fact, I am making it a mandate.No one is to picture my mate as anything except what she is.Mine!”
Scepter chuckled at the other man’s vehement words.From the look Savage sent his way, he’d set Savage’s teeth on edge.Moments later, they came face-to-face with a wall of males surrounding the female.Scepter counted himself lucky, and the others not so much, as Savage’s focus went to the males.A rumbling growl, the likes of which Scepter never heard before, came from Savage, shaking the walls and floor of the club.Lights flickered all around them as terrified patrons' shrieks swelled.
“Move out of my way or die,” Savage said, his smile sharp as a scalpel.
Scepter kept in stride with Savage, erasing the humans' minds as he passed.
Four males turned to face them, their teeth elongated in snarls.They stared at Savage, their gazes transfixed on him, their lips curled in familiar sneers.Scepter wondered why they were stupid enough to think they could take on Savage.
Savage, as always, sent a warning to him about the images he’d seen in the males' minds with the intent he’d seen.Scepter didn’t need a warning, though.He’d already been on the move as the four males sent shards of silver flying from their palms, hitting nothing but air where he and Savage had stood moments ago.
He shook his head and watched as Savage took the heads off of the two closest to him as they struck, thinking they had a chance.Silly vamps.Scepter moved next, taking out the other two before they could strike.The attacks occurred within seconds of each other.
Savage’s barrier went unseen by those around them.Still, with his abilities, Scepter could feel the static-like sensation of it.People outside the protective circle would be unaware of the gruesome battle they had missed.Savage, a man known by his moniker, stalked forward, blood dripping from his claws.His friend smiled as Scepter stayed close to his side.Neither of them bothered to hide what they were, warriors ready to kill and defend their territory.New York belonged to Savage as the King of the Mafia for a reason.He owned the night.And as his second, he didn’t falter in protecting what was theirs.
“Savage?To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”Astaroth asked, smiling at Savage as he backed toward Savage’s female.
“I suggest you halt your movements, or you’ll find yourself in the same position as the males me and my second dispatched a few moments ago, Roth,” Savage announced, motioning toward the bloody trail behind him.
Scepter smiled, moving slightly so they couldn’t miss the piles of clothing that were left behind.
The slight intake of air revealed that his actions had surprised the other vampire, but Astaroth quickly masked his emotions.
“What did my males do to upset you?”he asked, his voice dripping with false concern.
Savage snorted.“They, like you, were attempting to come between my female and me.They tried to attack my family.Are you saying you were unaware they did such a thing?Are you not connected to your people at a level where you’re aware when those of yours do something that violates an agreement?Especially when it would deem an instant death warrant for all involved?”Savage’s tone didn’t allow for debate.
Scepter applauded Savage for leaving no room for his accusation to be misinterpreted.There were only two possible conclusions it could lead to.If he said yes, Astaroth knew he, too, would be dealt with; if he said no, it meant his males had gone rogue.If the latter were true, then Astaroth would have to admit he didn’t have control of his clan, which could lead others to believe he wasn’t as powerful as he claimed.Scepter let his lips twitch.
Astaroth let out a sigh.His feet shuffled slightly.Savage flashed Scepter a warning and left him facing the rest of Astaroth’s clan.He understood Savage’s need to protect his female.She looked fragile and alone until his friend placed himself between her and the bastard.
“Ah, you think to claim her for yourself, but I saw her first,” Astaroth growled.
“Um, excuse me, but I have a say in who and wh...what.I mean I’m not anybody’s anything.”
“We’ll discuss it after I dispatch these fools, my love.”
Scepter hid his smile as the female growled.His Boss was in for a shock with his mate from what he could see.The absolute fireworks would be a sight to behold in the coming years..
Astaroth’s laugh was a brittle thing, like breaking glass.“You’re crazy, aren’t you?This isn’t some backwater town where you can just waltz in and expect to take whatever you want, Savage.Around here, there are rules, and as such, you should realize you can’t lay claim to every female because you decide you want her.I have a connection that supersedes what you want,” Astaroth hissed.
“Rules,” Savage repeated, his voice flat.“How fascinating.”
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper.“She’s nothing but a little nobody who waltzed into your club claiming to be here with another one of your...clan.All of a sudden, you say she’s yours.Which is it, Savage?”
Scepter didn’t move as he watched Savage tilt his head, studying the female.She trembled.Her eyes brightened with a mixture of rage and fear.Scepter didn’t think the little female understood that she was standing next to a male who vowed he’d kill anyone who thought to take her from him.This was about more than just territory.Savage would prove to not only her, but everyone else, that she was more than a little nobody as the fucker claimed.Scepter wanted to tell Astaroth he was a dead vamp walking, but he enjoyed watching the fucker squirm.
