“This is serious, Ace. You are a human. How you went up against vampires and lived is a miracle.”
“No miracles…but itwasmagic.” I carefully sit up, head still spinning, and hold out my hands. “I have no idea how I did it, but I was holding fire in my hands. And the fire burned one of the vampires pretty badly for the little I hit him with it.”
Hasan takes my hand, running his finger over my palm. It makes me shiver and long for his deft fingers to touch more of me.
“It didn’t burn me.” I look at my hands, as well, and see no signs of fire. “Or hurt.”
“And you have no idea how you did it?”
“None. Things were bad…like I was pinned on the floor with a vampire trying to bite my neck bad. And then my hands felt hot, and suddenly they burst into flames.”
“Jacques might know. We need to go back to the estate. Now.” His eyes shift to the basement door.
“They called me something…right before one was going to bite me. He stopped and said ‘malefica,’ I think.”
“Witch.” Hasan’s dark eyes meet mine, his handsome face serious. “It means witch.”
A chill runs over me, and the second I shiver, Hasan pulls me to him. I shift my weight, straddling him instead. He pushes his shoulders back, suddenly tense, then relaxes and holds me close.
“You have magic inside of you, Ace.”
“I can’t really deny it now.” I rest my head on his shoulder, needing one more minute before I get up and get my car. Hasan’s hands run down my back and over my hips. He hesitates, then slides them under my ass, lifting me just a bit. I pitch forward, breasts crushing into his firm chest.
Despite the fear and the danger—or maybe because of it—the attraction I feel for him begins to stir. I hate being afraid. I hate being made to feel helpless and defenseless. I like to be in control, and I want to feel something good.
I slowly lift my head, lips parting. Hasan tips his face down to mine. I can feel his heart racing beneath the pounds of muscle on his chest. I move a hand up, tracing a tattoo on his pec. He moves his hands to the small of my back, pressing me down against him. His cock begins to harden beneath me, and already I can feel it is just as large and impressive as the rest of him. The thought of it exhilarates me and I begin to grow wet.
“We should go,” he murmurs, lips brushing against mine as he talks. “I took vows, Ace.”
“Right,” I say, shaking myself. Thomas and Gilbert might not uphold their vows, but that didn’t mean Hasan and Jacques didn’t. “You did. And I don’t want to make you break them if you don’t want to.” I slide back, and his massive dick rubs me through my jeans. And fuck, it feels good. I grip his shoulders tight, trying to summon the willpower to stand.
“I do want to,” he admits with no shame at all. “But I shouldn’t.”
“Then don’t,” I say, hating the words coming out of my mouth. “Not if it means a lot to you.”
“Not everyone wanted to become a Templar,” he says, and I assume he’s referencing the twins, who had no say in the matter. “But I did. I still do.”
A car goes by, headlights illuminating our faces. Hasan and I both freeze. As soon as it drives away, Hasan stands with me in his arms.
“Where is your car?”
“A few blocks away.” He sets me on my feet but doesn’t let go until he’s sure I have my footing. “Stay here and I’ll get it.”
“Ace, you—”
“I’ll be okay once I’m on the street. The vampires didn’t come out after me. I don’t think they want to be seen by the public.” I fish my keys from my purse. “Give me five minutes.”
“Be careful.”
“I will be.” I meet his eyes, smiling. “Besides, I have a feeling you’re going to be watching, right?”
He smiles back. “I will.”
Taking a deep breath, I force myself to focus. I feel a bit like I’ve been drugged, and going out into the hustle of the nightlife helps to clear the fog. I get in my car, slide the passenger seat back as far as it can go, and go to the alley.
Hasan hardly fits and sits awkwardly inside. He’s never been in a car before. This has to be weird.
“How do you operate this thing?” He peers over at me.
