Keystone (Crossbreed #1)(24)

Claude’s nostrils flared. He continued eating, but his eyes remained watchful as they analyzed me. “What are you?”

I only hesitated for a second. After coming out in front of Viktor, Christian, and Niko, it felt good to be open about what I was, even if no one understood it. “I’m a crossbreed.”

You could have heard a pin drop.

“Is that why you’ve got them funky eyes?” Wyatt asked.

“Not exactly.”

“Raven is half Mage and Vampire,” Viktor added.

Gem’s jaw unhinged. “That’s impossible!” But her reaction wasn’t as smarmy and bemused as Christian’s had been. More of excitement and curiosity.

I looked past Blue, who stared at me wide-eyed. It seemed that Viktor hadn’t told everyone, so Niko must have heard the rumor from Christian. “Viktor, can we get back to this whole ‘partner’ thing? I work alone.”

“Not anymore,” he replied nonchalantly. “Everyone is paired up based on their strengths and weaknesses. Although Gem is a Mage, she is not physically strong, so I chose Claude. They protect each other in all ways. Blue is Niko’s eyes and he is hers.”

I touched the stem of my empty glass, spinning it. “It sounds like you put a lot of thought into it, except why do I feel like we’re just getting thrown together because there’s nobody left?”

He bit down on a piece of cheese, staring at it. “Sometimes we can’t choose our fate, and it is fate that chooses us.”

“Maybe we can rotate,” I suggested. “Switch it up every so often.”

“Uh-uh,” Gem complained. “No way I’m getting paired up with Shepherd. He’s a grump.”

“Which brings me to my next rule,” Viktor continued. “I hate to be blunt, but I make rules for a reason. Partners will not engage in—”

“Extracurricular sextivity,” Wyatt finished, raising his glass to Christian in a toast. “Sláinte.”

Christian rose to his feet and put his knuckles on the table, leaning toward Wyatt. “Put a cork in it before I drain you.”

When Viktor cleared his throat, Christian sat back down. “I would highly recommend that you fulfill any urges outside this house.”

Urges? I stood up, offended. “Do I look like a slut who can’t keep her legs closed? You talk as if I’m a car that needs to be serviced at a gas station by a good pump. And just to clarify, I have no urge to fuel up with a Vampire.”

Christian leaned back in his chair, his tone cool and dispassionate. “Worry not, lass. This gas station is self-service. Just the way you like it.”

Niko must have seen a solar flare around me, because he couldn’t stop looking.

“Everyone gets the same talk,” Viktor assured me. “This has nothing to do with you personally. Please, sit.”

When I did, Niko leaned in close and lowered his voice. “His intentions are in the right place, he just sucks at delivery.”

Claude reached out his hand. “Give me your plate, female, and I’ll put some food on it.”

“No, thanks. I’m not hungry.”

I’d heard Chitahs talk about their sisters or mates, and it sounded like they revered them—cared for them in a way I didn’t understand.

“Don’t you eat? Is it because you’re half Vampire?”

“She’s a scavenger,” Christian said, lifting his glass of wine. “It’s no fun unless she can hunt for her food.”

I peered around Niko. “Why don’t you shut up over there and find a wrist to sip on?”

Gem pointed at Christian. “Doesn’t look like Raven plays on Team Christian.”

“You better eat something,” Christian sang. “The Chitah won’t eat until the women at the table are fed.”

This had to be a joke.

I looked up at Claude and realized there might be some truth to the remark. “Go on and eat, Claude. Ignore him.”

Claude lifted his chin. “I can scent your hunger, female. Now give me your plate.”

I still didn’t feel part of this posse, and aside from that, even Betty had tried for three weeks before I’d accept her meals at the diner.

Claude leaned back in his chair and folded his arms.

“Rest up, little ones,” Viktor said, rising to his feet. “We have important matters to discuss in the morning.”





Chapter 8





“When do I get my weapons back?” I asked Viktor over a light breakfast.

Since no one had told me when the scheduled mealtimes were, I’d wandered into the kitchen early that morning before the house stirred with activity. Viktor invited me to sit with him and talk a little.

He set a plate in front of me with a sausage patty on it. “You’ll get your weapons back today, just don’t use them on anyone in the house.”

“I can’t make any promises with regards to my partner.”

He chuckled and sat to my right. “If this works out, you’ll learn to tolerate each other. It does not mean you’ll work exclusively with him, only on certain jobs. It’s also good to have someone you can confide in, someone who has your back above all others.”

“I wouldn’t bet on that,” I muttered.