“They think it’s elevation of status. A privilege. They think they’re being fucking chosen,” Cal adds. “They were calling itThe Choosing Mixer.”
“Fuck me,” Rook mutters. “And yet, they’re being sold.” His voice is flat. “Anyone we would consider an ally in that room? Any good vamps at all?”
Cal shakes his head immediately. “Not a single fucking one.”
“So…how does Blair come into this?” Rook asks, his eyes meeting mine. “I mean, how the fuck did you end up bringing her here?”
“She was there. At the preview.” I don’t hesitate. “And I could read her intent.”
Rook raises a brow.
“She was naïve,” I continue. “Excited, even, to be chosen. She had no idea what any of them has planned.”
“But as you already said, most of them don’t,” Rook says evenly.
“Yeah,” I admit. “But this one ismine. I felt it immediately. She’s my destined.”
“What are the fucking odds.” Rook sighs and shakes his head. “Not only did we take two women they thought belonged to them, but both areblood of the three.”
I laugh. I can’t help it. “We’re pretty fucked now. I mean, we were fucked when you took Kylie, but now we’re, like,reallyfucked.”
“Yeah. All thanks to you two bastards, I’ve got the elites wanting my head on a silver platter.” Cal runs a hand over his mouth and lets out a deep chuckle. “And I don’t even have a fated mate by my side to show for it.”
I huff a short laugh. “My fated mate is currently locked in my bedroom upstairs because she’s trying to escape me. Let’s not act like it’s all rainbows and sunshine on this side of things.”
Kylie grins. “I wasn’t exactly nice to Rook at first.”
“Pretty sure I deserved it, baby.” Rook laughs, pressing a kiss to Kylie’s forehead as he does.
“Okay.” Cal smirks. “Fair.”
“Probably be thankful,” I mutter.
Kylie shifts in Rook’s lap, studying me. “So, she doesn’t understand any of it, then? What really happens there?”
“No,” I say. “She doesn’t.”
“Well, what’s done is done, and we can’t go back. Still, we need a clear picture. Anything else you need to get off your chest, Kane?” Rook asks. “No extra bodies you forgot to tell us about? No additional women you took without permission?”
“No, dickhead,” I say through a laugh. “Nothing else like that.”
“You’re holding something back.” Rook furrows his brow as he looks at me. “What aren’t you saying right now?”
“Well…when she’s near me,” I say slowly, “I don’t just read intent. I can stop it.”
Cal tilts his head.
“What do you mean?” Rook asks.
“If the intent is reckless. Or naïve. Or coming from fear. I can interrupt it. Well, at least hers.”
“Like you interrupted her screams?” Kylie says softly.
I nod.
Rook glances at Kylie again.
They don’t speak, but I can tell they are communicating.
