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He has to, Ze’ev says. Only when you finish your bond with me can he finally turn back into a human.
My eyes widen. “What?” I say aloud.
Eat, Ze’ev adds, either not hearing me, or ignoring me. There’s a forceful note to his voice that I’m not used to. Then again, I have never heard Ze’ev talk aloud. And what few mental words had been exchanged between us before had been many weeks ago by now.
My stomach rumbles with complaint, so I dutifully eat the offering and then take the waterskin and fill it up from the creek. I down the entire thing, then fill it up again before securing it over my shoulder.
What does our “bond” have to do with Godric? I ask.
He doesn’t answer that question, so I fire off another. Okay, maybe you’ll answer an easier question. Where did you get the Rinhold tonic?
I swear there’s a chuckle inside my head with a sensual smugness to it that makes my toes curl. He still isn’t going to answer that question.
Our deal is that you pass my test, then I show you the way to the castle. I never said anything about answering questions that are going to get you in trouble.
A growl sounds through the forest, and I realize it’s coming from me. My nails pinch into my palms as I curl my fingers into fists. Scanning the trees, I still can’t see any sign of him, but I know he’s watching me. His gaze makes my insides warm, and the bond between us demands that I step closer to him.
Focusing on that last sensation, I follow that faint pull and turn toward the creek.
“You already tested me,” I remind him. This time I speak aloud because I know he has to be close enough to hear me. “And I decide what’s trouble and what’s not.”
I think you’re trouble, he retorts with a playful tone.
I still can’t see him. Among his abilities, invisibility is one that he has used before and very well might be using again now.
Closing my eyes, I concentrate and listen for a heartbeat. I’m not even sure if Ze’ev has one. Some vampires don’t. But he’s a hybrid, so I take my chances.
My eyes snap open when a twig breaks. There’s no one there, but I keep my eyes on the spot where I heard it.
An extremely faint thump follows as I focus on my enhanced hearing abilities.
He does have a heartbeat.
I didn’t invite those three royals to our very private party, he informs me. His voice is a seductive whisper now. The volume hasn’t changed, but the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Despite what Godric might think. I wouldn’t use you like that.
He probably snapped that twig on purpose. The slight thumping grows closer.
“Why didn’t you defend yourself earlier?” I keep my voice barely audible. His hearing is good, but if he responds, it means he’s closer than I thought.
I feel the breath on my neck before I hear his words in my head. I tried.
I spin around, but no one is there.
Thinking back, he had denied purposefully bringing those three royals out into the woods. He’d never said that had actually been the intended test.
“And how did those vampires even know I was out there?” I ask.
Because your blood smells like fucking cherries and sex.
I can’t move fast enough. Teeth skim my neck before they bear down, making me yelp.
When I turn, Ze’ev is already several feet from me and giving me a bloody smile. He spits my blood onto the ground.
That was a warning bite, he says as he winks.
Then he’s gone again.
Asshole.
