I slipped beneath the sheets and shut my eyes, inhaling deeply through my nose and taking in the scents around me. A house mage was somewhere in the castle, his unease detectable at a distance. House mages were rare now, most having been eliminated.
Another inhale revealed desire emanating from across the hall. I let out a grumble, realizing it was Samara. Her scent had changed over the centuries, but underneath was still that core essence I’d never forgotten. Now she smelled of soap and something else.
The last thing I needed was to have her on my mind. She was a distraction I couldn’t afford. I wouldn’t let old feelings for Samara interfere with my mission.
It felt like only minutes later when I bolted upright to the sound of yelling in the hallway. I jumped out of bed, yanked on a pair of pants, and threw open the door. Amari was no longer in his gargoyle form and had Nicolas pinned against the wall by his throat. Nuts were scattered across the floor, crunching under my bare feet as I stepped into the hall.
“What are you doing?” As much as I disliked the squirrel, I couldn’t understand why Amari thought it necessary to throttle him. He wasn’t a threat, and a panther could dispatch a squirrel with a single swipe.
Amari didn’t loosen his grip. “He was sneaking around and wouldn’t let me see what was in his bag.” He did not do well with noncompliance, especially when it came to my protection.
Samara’s door burst open, and my mouth went dry. She emerged wearing nothing but a towel, her hair dripping wet, water droplets glistening on her skin.
“What the hell? Let him go!” She marched across the nut-strewn floor and grabbed Amari’s arm.
Amari’s jaw tightened as he glared down at her. Nicolas kicked at the wall, struggling to break free, but Amari’s gargoyle strength held firm despite their similar-sized frames.
I placed a hand on Amari’s back. “You heard the woman. Let him go.”
But it was too late. Nicolas shifted into his squirrel formand sank his teeth into Amari’s hand. Amari let out a surprised snarl of pain as his arm flew back to dislodge the rodent. His elbow caught Samara squarely in the nose before she could move.
Blood. Fresh blood. Female blood.
I backed up against the opposite wall, my fangs descending instantly.
Fuck.
Her blood smelled irresistible, and I bit my lip, trying desperately to control the hunger rushing through my veins. She fell to her knees, clutching her nose, her towel slipping dangerously low.
The squirrel wasn’t done with his assault and scampered up Amari’s leg, biting his thigh. Amari grabbed him and hurled him down the hall, where he landed with a soft thump. Then he stalked after him, intent on finishing the job.
Just as his boot hovered over the motionless rodent, a door opened, and an arm reached out, snatching the squirrel before slamming shut. A lock clicked into place.
Amari pounded on the door. “Open this door.”
“Amari,” I gritted out through clenched teeth. “I need you.”
His head snapped toward me, eyes clearing as he registered my distress. He rushed back down the hall.
Samara rose to her feet and, without a word, slipped back into her bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Amari cupped my face in his hands, steadying me as I took several deep breaths. The scent of blood lingered in the hallway, but at least the source was now behind a closed door.
Several hours later,I opened the bedroom door and stepped into the hall. Nuts cracked under my boots, and I sighed as I bent down to pick them up. It was the least I could do after Amari had assaulted the squirrel and Samara.
After feeding from Amari to quell my bloodlust, I’d dressed in my finest clothes for the council meeting. I had to make a good impression since they would most likely have an issue with me being in attendance instead of my father. Although there was nothing in the bylaws about the eldest son stepping in, the council was stuck in their ways.
My hunger was satisfied, but the scent of Samara’s blood still lingered in the hallway and in my nose. My thoughts had been on Samara while I’d had my fill of Amari’s blood. I felt a twinge of guilt, darkening my momentary satisfaction.
“What are you doing?” Amari stood in the doorway, frowning down at me.
I looked up at him and frowned. “What does it look like?” I returned to my task. “I have to keep the peace. Make up for what you lack.”
I grabbed the abandoned bag and began filling it with nuts. Why had the squirrel been carrying them around, anyway?
The stubborn bastard stood there watching and crossed his arms. “It’s not my fault.” He was such a surly grump. Unless he was getting his dick sucked or pounding into me, then he dropped the act.
“All that muscle and you can’t help pick up a few nuts?”
