“He was dying,” she snapped. “And your mate would have been distraught, heart broken, and in pain. Is that acceptable?”
Hudson pointed at Sebastian. “He has fed her his blood, and he is now receiving yours. The thrall bond is complete and can never be undone.” He ran a hand through his hair and let loose a frustrated growl.
“Oh, Principal, you really haven’t been paying attention if you believe for one moment that we can be bonded to anyone other than whom we choose, and we have already made it clear that we choose you. A vampire’s thrall is not a match for the power in our blood.”
I felt Sebastian’s fangs slip from our flesh and Indigo diverted her attention to him. She patted his cheek in an awkward act of affection like she wasn’t entirely sure how to process the emotion of affection and relief.
“You’ll live,” she said. “I’m glad.”
That was almost gushing for her. Sebastian struggled to his feet, slipping twice on the pool of his own blood on the floor.
He swallowed and stared at the room of tense supernaturals, then glanced down at his shirt. “I’ll go clean up before I terrify the locals,” he uttered as he wobbled. Aunt Sophia looked like she was about to grab some popcorn and make herself comfortable for the show.
“Go and help the vampire,” Indigo ordered. “He is healed but not healthy.”
Aunt Sophia opened her mouth to argue. Dave grabbed her arm and pulled her from the room, leaving us alone with Hudson and a bunch of newly turned and unconscious shifters.
Hudson took a step toward her and offered her his hand.
“Does he think me injured or incapable?” she asked me.
“No, that’s more for him than you. Just accept the hand, it will help to ease the rift.”
She wrapped her hand in his and attempted a smile. I felt our cheeks stretch wide, but I’m sure the rows of sharp teeth negated the comforting effect she was aiming for. Hudson’s eyes flashed green, Keverin was prowling close to the surface and didn’t like what he saw.
“Tag, you’re it,”Indigo said, sinking back into my mind.
“I see, when the tough gets going, you hide behind your ‘I’m the daughter of death’ persona and leave me to deal with our homicidal mate.”
“You’re welcome,”she said before disappearing altogether.
He gripped my chin and tilted it up to stare into my eyes. “Do I have you back?” he checked.
“Yes.”
“Excellent, because I wouldn’t want this to fall on deaf ears.”
Oh boy.
“The bond between a vampire and another is a closely guarded secret and can only be complete if blood is shared both ways, completing the cycle of life.”
I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth. He’s right, that was a closely guarded secret, but one that I knew. “Okay.”
His gaze narrowed. “You knew what would happen.”
“Did you listen to what Indigo said?” I asked in as soothing a tone as I could manage, given I’d nearly lost my best friend as he bled out in front of me.
“I don’t need your monster telling me pretty lies to appease me.”
I sighed and wrapped my hands around his neck, dragging him close enough that our breaths mingled. “Look into my eyes, do I look the slightest bit enthralled?”
He squinted like he was looking for a tiny sign that read ‘property of Sebastian’. “No.”
“Can you still feel my heart beating in sync with yours?”
“Yes.”
“Our bond is stronger and more complex than we even realize. I will only ever be bonded with someone I consciously choose, and just to be clear, I have chosen you. Every single part of me is yours, stop doubting that conviction. But, I won’t change who I am, I will always come through for those I love, and that circle is bigger than just you and I. That doesn’t mean I’m any less committed to you.”
