Chapter 18: Greer

Chapter Eighteen

Greer

“ Y ou’ve accomplished something I didn’t know was possible,” Reign says, brushing his fingers over my cheek. “I’ve never heard a vampire snore, but you kept me up half the day with your non-stop huffing and grunting.” My eyes pop open, and he leans closer with a ridiculously handsome smirk tipping at his lips. “Don’t worry. It was the cute kind. I just happen to be a light sleeper, but I’ll be sure to stop in town and buy a pair of earplugs before sunrise.”

My tongue runs over the claiming bite, reminding me that I’m bonded.

This is huge.

Monumental.

Life-changing.

And I feel unbelievably guilty as the vague memories spill back in.

Seiran only claimed me to ensure his old friend wouldn’t let me die. That’s a horrible reason for making a commitment that lasts for eternity.

My eyes ache, and I squeeze them shut to keep from bursting into tears. “Where is Seiran?”

I need to apologize to him immediately.

“No, don’t cry.” Reign thumbs my lower lip. “He went into the club without Novak even asking. I think he wanted to prove that he’s going to uphold his end of the bargain, but he was torn as hell about leaving you while you were still slumbering.”

“What bargain?” I ask, my eyes flying open. The red haze in my vision proves I still might cry.

“Novak was undecided about taking on a progeny.” The dark fae shrugs. “He would have. There’s no way he would have denied Seiran something so important, but they’re both incredibly stubborn and they each think the other is wrong.”

My lips push together as I recall Reign appearing in my nightmare. He moves to just under my eye and catches the blood-red tear that dribbles from the corner. Bringing his thumb to his mouth, he licks it.

“Ahh, yes, tastes exactly as it should. Last night was a success all around.” A playful grin breaks out on his face. “Now, Novak left to handle some important business, but we’ll find him at the club by the time you get ready. Seiran will be there too. They asked me to wait with you and bring you as soon as you were up and moving around.”

I swallow thickly.

Yesterday was such a mess.

I felt worse than I had since being turned, but I vaguely remember Seiran telling me on the way to Chaos that he used to run the sex club portion of the business. I think it’s called Rut?

My insides instantly revolt at the idea. I’ve never been possessive, but God, I have the sudden urge to rip out the throat of any woman he’s ever been intimate with.

I hiss and attempt to cover it with a cough. “I’m not sure I should go there.”

“Aww, you are a feisty little kitten. Aren’t you, darling? Seiran’s nickname for you suddenly makes more sense.” Reign chuckles. “I can’t wait to see what trouble we can get into together.” He reaches down, linking our fingers. “Novak spends most nights at the club, and the reality is that you won’t be able to be away from him for long without the pain setting in.” He has the good sense to grimace. “I’ll let him explain all of that when you see each other. My job is to top you up to ensure you don’t face any cravings, and then I have a surprise for you.”

My eyes widen as I recall what was said in Novak’s office. It’s all hazy, but I think Reign told them that I hadn’t had human blood, because that first night, I fed on him.

“Wait, what in the hell is a mimic? What did Seiran mean when he said you mimicked?”

Reign sighs. “I’ll explain all of that, but you need a quick shower and to feed.”

The beating of his pulse against his skin catches my attention, and I nod before I can stop myself.

My tummy does feel very empty all of a sudden.

The hot water pounds against my skin, and I lean back, letting the conditioner rinse from my hair. It’s a long process because I’ve got a hell of a lot of it.

My mind races as I spin to face the spray to wash away the soap on my front. The overwhelming need to call my family to check in slams into me from nowhere. I missed multiple calls from my friend Ember yesterday, but by the time I woke up in the evening, I was in bad shape and didn’t have the energy to worry about calling her back. Some of that might have been lingering compulsion from Cole.

“Have I told you yet today what an absolutely delectable ass you’ve got?” Reign’s voice comes from directly behind me, making me jolt. One of his hands slides around my middle, caressing my stomach, while the other pulls my hair away from my shoulder. “Because it’s the shit my dreams are made of. You have generous curves for a female fae.” The warmth of his breath on my neck sends a shiver throughout my body, and my nipples tighten.

“It’s the human side of my genetics,” I say, trying to suck in the soft pooch of skin that my clothing normally hides. It’s not that I’m dissatisfied with my body. I just think I’m sexier with a well-placed piece of lingerie to cover the few imperfections.

My mother is the epitome of a regal fae female. She’s close to six inches taller than I am, and probably thirty pounds lighter, but she’s always told me how beautiful I am. Despite my constant comparing myself to her, she managed to make me feel like I’m perfect just the way I am.

And I miss her fiercely.

“I’m a halfling too. My mother is Unseelie, but my father is a nightmare demon. Such is how you get a mimic.” Reign drags me out of my thoughts by spinning me around. The height difference becomes apparent. I try to take a step back, so it won’t be awkward when I crane my neck to meet his gaze, but he flattens his palm on my lower back, holding me in place. “I am able to mimic the form of any creature or species, as long as I follow a very specific set of rules. The first night you bumped into me in Chaos, I was in my natural form, but we don’t get many Seelie fae in Black Cove, and I assumed you were intimidated by my Unseelie roots. I thought you might feel more at ease spending time with a human, so I mimicked.” His gray eyes are so expressive as he stares down at me with his head tilted.

He didn’t ask a question, but I still nod.

“I was worried someone would realize my illegally turned status,” I whisper as my gaze tries to move to the floor. Only, we’re too close together, so I end up looking at my tits and eventually his half-hard cock as it hangs between us.

“We all have secrets in Black Cove.” He chuckles. “It’s essentially the town motto. Are you hungry, darling?”

The pulsing in my fangs says I am.

My head bobbles up and down as I meet his eyes. There’s no way he should be so hot. I bet I look like one of those pink naked mole rats. My hair sticks to my arms, I don’t have a bit of makeup on, and he watched me vomit black blood last night.

The dangerous smile that pulls at his lips seems to indicate that he is unaffected by any of those things.

“I smartened up this time,” he says seductively. “If you make me come, I’ll already be in the shower to clean up.”

Oh. My. God.

It finally clicks.

I never succeeded in compelling a human that night outside of Chaos. Reign was the human…or pretending to be one. There hasn’t been one single thing I’ve done since becoming a vampire that I’ve actually gotten right.