He is silent for a moment. “I knew that there could be side effects, yes, but I also knew that you needed healing.”
“You’re like a walking, talking drug.”
“Not everyone reacts so strongly to a vampire’s blood. I couldn’t have known how it would affect you.”
“But you had an inkling.”
He hums softly as our eyes meet. “You far exceeded my wildest hopes, Sienna. What you’re feeling—whatI’mfeeling—is a good thing. It means that we’re...” A slow smile curves on his lips. “Compatible.”
Shaking my head, I close my eyes and rest my forehead on his cheek. “I can’t be compatible witheveryone.”
“Three people hardly account for the entire realm.”
They might as well with how often my world revolves around them. I keep my thoughts to myself. The last thing I need is another reason to doubt my plans. Because adding a vampire into my already fucked-up life, when I don’t even know where the hell I’m going to end up?
Gods, I’m going to ruin not just one life, but four. We’ll all crash and burn, laughing as the flesh melts from our bones and we claw our way past each other’s ribs to reach the heart. Mine. Revyn’s. Alistair’s. And now Callum’s too.
“Take a breath. The world does not rest on your shoulders.”
“Thank the gods for that.”
“I’d rather put my faith in what’s right in front of me.” Callum brushes his lips against my flushed cheek. “Like the beautiful woman in my arms.” His tone darkens as he draws an unnecessary breath. “I can’t wait to taste you, Wildflower.”
The innuendo warms my blood, reigniting the embers of desire he stoked mere moments ago. “Maybe we’ll win this challenge and you’ll get lucky.”
His eyes flash bright crimson. “Don’t tease a vampire unless you intend to follow through.” He caresses my thigh as we walk through the edge of a tree line and enter a clearing shaped in a circle, the stone temple at its center covered in moss. Moonlight blankets the area, its rays glinting off what appears to be crystal figurines, each one a mirror image of the next. They line the stairs to the temple’s inner sanctum, where an even larger figurine—sparkling like a diamond—sits before an unnamed deity. Their eyes are cast from polished green gemstones that glow in the soft silver light.
“Because that’s not freaky,” the female shifter comments aloud.
“Let’s just grab one and go,” the bear grumbles, stomping toward the array of figurines. A few have already been taken, but the vast majority lie untouched. “The sooner we get out of these godforsaken woods, the better.”
Wind rustles the trees, kicking up fallen leaves that rustle past our feet.
“Don’t piss off the gods.” I slide down Callum’s body, appreciating what I feel hiding beneath his clothes, before joining the others at the base of the shrine. “And be careful. There could be wards in place.”
“Or a curse,” Callum adds helpfully, “especially to those foolish enough to call them creepy.”
I hold back a laugh as cat girl shivers. “Whatever. Just grab one, Graham!”
He reaches for the closest figurine before stopping short and glancing up at the big one. “What if we takethatone?”
“Professor Aesir said to take a figurine, notthefigurine.”
“I agree. Don’t get greedy.” I make a mental note that his name is Graham and glance over my shoulder at Callum. Why is he standing so far away?
Graham chuffs and stands. “I can carry it.”
“You’ll break it,” I warn, grabbing his arm to stop him. “Then we’ll fail the challenge.”
“It’ll be fine. It’s made of glass, or something.”
“Glass is breakable.” I grit my teeth. “Take a smaller one.”
Rolling his shoulders back, he shrugs my hand off. “Youtake a small one. I’m getting the big one.”
“For fuck’s sake,” I snap, taking a few steps up and maneuvering in front of him. “Did that lightning strike fry your brain? Do you haveanysurvival instincts? You don’t go after the biggest treasure. That’s asking for trouble.” I glare at his feline companion. “Back me up!”
She shifts her weight uncomfortably. “C’mon, Graham. I just want to get out of here.”
