Bound in Darkness (Bound #2)(23)

He was ready to slice.

“I mean her no harm.” Blood dripped down the vampire’s throat. “I thought…that night in the alley, I thought you were the threat.”

“He wasn’t,” Allison said as her fingers pressed against Cade’s shoulder.

Her voice was weak. She needs blood. His blood. But as much as he wanted to turn and scoop her into his arms, he didn’t move. Not yet.

Cade kept his hold on his prey.

The only good vamp…

“I have no quarrel with you, werewolf,” the vampire told him. The guy’s cronies had come outside, but they stood just in front of the house, wisely deciding not to interrupt right then.

Smart. They might keep their heads.

“I know who you are,” the guy went on. “And I know what you did to that nest in Oregon who made the mistake of f*cking with your pack.”

The rage built within Cade.

“If you hadn’t killed them,” he added, “then my team would have. We don’t tolerate rogue groups, and we’re sure as hell don’t make a habit of torturing children.”

The guy looked sincere.

But vampires could lie.

As easily as witches. Werewolves.

Humans.

All were good. Bad. None were perfect.

Allison stroked Cade’s shoulder. “You might know us, but who the hell are you?” She wanted to know.

Cade risked a glance her way. Bruised, bloody…so beautiful. The dumbass vampire probably thought so, too.

“Charles Crawford. I’m on the Northwestern Vampire Council.”

Big deal. Vamps and their councils. He knew all about them. The councils were supposed to keep the vamps in check. Stop them from killing humans.

Keep ‘em on a leash.

From what he’d seen, those fancy councils did jack and shit.

Crawford glanced at Allison. “I was sent to protect you.”

“Then you arrived a bit late to the party, buddy,” Cade drawled. “Very late.”

Crawford’s jaw clenched. After a moment he said, “I vow that I won’t hurt her,” the vampire said, “or you.”

He’d like to see the fool try.

“Truce?” The vampire asked.

Oh, that grated and—

Allison swayed beside him. Cade lunged for her and caught Allison just before she would have fallen. Her skin was ice cold.

Her eyes were closing.

“No, sweetheart, don’t you even think of leaving me.” He held her gently, like the f*cking precious thing that she was. He cradled her head and pushed her toward his throat. “Drink, Allison.” Take everything you need.

Because he wasn’t letting her go.





Chapter Nine


A gasp came from a few of the assembled vamps when Cade offered his neck to her. Yeah, he got it—werewolves didn’t usually offer themselves up as food to a vamp. He sure as hell wouldn’t to anyone but her.

He felt the press of her small fangs against his skin, a quick slice that was too fast for pain, then a surge of pleasure hit him as she began to gently suck on his neck.

He held her tighter and lifted her easily in his arms. As she drank from him, he faced the vampires.

Crawford watched him with blood still dripping down his own neck. Mild curiosity lit the vampire’s eyes. “So…it’s like that.”

“She’s mine.” And he was hers. Forever.

Crawford inclined his head. “Do you know…” He seemed to hesitated, but then he asked bluntly, “Have you taken her blood?”

Same old song and dance. “We both know werewolves can’t become vampires, so don’t worry, I’m not about to turn.” He tensed when Allison’s tongue licked over his skin. What he wouldn’t give to be alone with her then.

“You won’t turn…” Now Crawford’s eyes had narrowed. Filled with speculation. “You’ll just become…more.”

He already knew that. He’d seen his future in the mirror.

Allison’s tongue swiped over his neck once more. “I’m okay,” she whispered. “You can put me down now.”

He rather liked her where she was.

“There’s another vampire and werewolf pairing, down South.” Crawford motioned to his men, and the others began to walk away, back into the darkness that surrounded the old home. “He’s become more, too.”

“More?” Allison asked, voice stronger.

“Your blood will make him stronger,” Crawford told her. “As long as he has you, he’ll always be stronger, faster…”

Immortal.

Cade had seen all of this in the mirror. Elsa had thought that he’d see his death. That he’d see his body withering away over time while Allison stayed young forever.

He hadn’t seen that. He’d seen them. Laughing. Loving.

His life didn’t have to be a walking nightmare. With her, it could be more.

With her, he was already more.

But even if his power had faded, even if they’d only been offered a few years, he would have taken those years.

Taken them and counted himself damn lucky.

“Maybe our kind can help each other…” Crawford murmured with a slight nod of his head. “Maybe.” He stepped back. “I’ll send a team to…clean up this area.”