Chapter 22: Novak

Chapter Twenty-Two

Novak

M y night is a shit show. Everything in me aches to be at Greer’s side. That alone told me it was too dangerous for me to be the one to greet her when she awoke from her slumber. If I’m not careful, the maker connection will make me ruthlessly possessive, and even I’m not cruel enough to ignore her matebond with Seiran. Meaning, I had to put some distance between us.

Initially, I assumed Seiran would stay close to greet his mate, but he’s purposely showing his ass. He knows I would never have pushed the issue for him to be at Rut tonight. He’s making a point of giving me the proverbial middle finger.

Which would be fine if the universe didn’t seem intent on doing the same.

The fact that Black Cove’s paranormal council liaison has taken over my office makes my temples ache, but I prepared for the possibility something might go awry.

Bartholomew’s eyes narrow as I tug open the bottom drawer of my desk. Those fucking humans from last night must have a death wish.

“Tell me you understand how serious it is to have accusations of this magnitude leveled at the head of the town council,” Bart says with a glitter in his void-like eyes that pisses me off. “You do, don’t you, Novak?”

Yes, I imagine it could look bad, considering I run the governing body that makes up the laws for supernatural creatures in Black Cove, but that also means I know how to subvert those laws.

Snatching the signed contract from my bottom drawer, I toss it down on my desk. A very read it and weep look crosses my face, and I do my best to hold back the smirk that threatens to appear.

“They may be experiencing some lingering second thoughts, but they signed while clear and uncoerced. I helped craft the law of consent in Black Cove. And as per the policy regarding when humans are involved in a turning of any kind, they read the contract and signed it of their own volition.” I lean forward, nodding to the papers he now side-eyes. “It’s even signed by two witnesses, which isn’t legally required.”

Although, I do owe Newton and his female guest a small gift as a token of my gratitude for helping me falsify the document, but that’s neither here nor there.

Bart snatches up the set of papers I had meticulously prepared and distributed to all vampires in Black Cove more than a decade ago. I never expected that I would personally need them, but that agreement is ironclad.

Well, as long as no one determines they were signed after the fact and under a fair amount of compulsion. But the humans lived.

Very occasionally, I miss the olden days.

Several hundred years ago, I could have let Greer drain both of them dry and faced no repercussions. Everyone believes their life is worth more than it really is. Perhaps I am a villain, but I protect what’s mine, and I hold no shame over that.

“You truly took on a progeny?” Bart asks, taking a step back.

I’m beginning to think he thought I lost myself to bloodlust and just had to have those humans. If I was starving, I have a near-constant revolving door of willing donors, which now might be more complicated because of Greer. I’ll need to find her several humans she can feed from regularly.

Gods.

This night is never going to end. And Bart’s shitty attitude isn’t helping my less-than-stellar disposition.

“I had no choice,” I say calmly, but my hand migrates to my right cuff to readjust it. “Greer’s previous maker botched her transformation. He severed their bond and sent her out into the world with no idea what to expect or how to keep herself alive. We very nearly had a ghoul on our hands.”

He lowers the papers he’s been scrutinizing, and his forehead wrinkles. “You jest.”

“Hardly.” I give a pointed look. We may despise each other, but he knows me well enough to understand I’ve never had a desire to take on a progeny. “I did what was best for Black Cove and repeated her transformation, thus tying her to me in the process. And yet, you have the audacity to walk into my office like I’ve done something wrong?”

“You’ll need to register her within three days,” Bart says, tossing the contract onto my desk.

“I will.” I nod, exhaling heavily. I was far too optimistic when I hoped she could fly under the radar long enough for me to address her former maker. “I have to tell you, Bart. She was a siren prior to her botched change.”

The demon hisses as his head tilts. “And she’ll be able to verify this? You know what I mean—we’ll need her statement. Otherwise, you’ll need to prove she was undead when she made her way to you.”

I’ve already considered how much easier it would be for the North American Paranormal Council if they could simply blame me for her change.

“Her original maker compelled her heavily upon releasing her. Even my compulsion wasn’t able to override his commands, but I haven’t tried since our bond snapped into place.” I sigh, swiping my hand over my face. “I had no desire to take on such an all-encompassing commitment, but I made the best call I could with little time to think things through. The fever had already set in.”

Bart blinks his huge eyes and finally nods. “I see. File the paperwork within three days and make sure she’s present. I’ll need to do a quick interview myself. I take it you’ll handle the humans?”

Oh yes, I would love to handle them, but I’ll have to settle for issuing the hundred-thousand-dollar check they’re promised in the contract and moving on. If they were to perish so soon after filing a complaint, I would be the prime suspect.

“I will.” Shoving my chair back, I stand. “I wasn’t expecting the connection between Greer and me to be so all-consuming. I find I’m feeling very self-righteous on her behalf. I don’t have to tell you what will happen if her original maker attempts to reclaim her.”

“File the damn paperwork. That way, we’re all covered,” Bart mutters, swiping a hand through the air. He shuffles toward the door, complaining that he hates working nights and vampires are all a pain in the dick to deal with.

Well, he’s not wrong about that.

Speaking of dicks, I’d like to know why mine has been hard as fucking rock for the last half an hour.

It’s not hard to guess where I’ll find my progeny. It only makes sense that she would want to see her mate.

I barely survived my sire. He was the type to believe that, since he granted me eternal life, it was his right to rescind the offer if he so chose.

Sliding through the staff-only door, I come to a dead stop. Seiran and Reign have Greer trapped between them, and they’re putting on quite the show.

The door closes with a loud click as I release it, but with all the other sounds in the massive theater, I’m the only one who notices.

If they intended to put on a performance like they currently are, we should be treating this like a special event, rather than a normal general admission night.

And fucking hell, they are putting on quite the show.

Seiran is on his knees on the stage with his wings spread out wide behind him. He holds Greer with her back to his chest and his hands under her ass, keeping her spread wide open. His tongue is in full demon form, and while Reign blocks most of my view, I believe Seiran is licking her clit while Reign fucks her.

The mimic’s shadows tease her luscious tits, and I find my anger rising the closer I get to the stage.

This isn’t just about them being financially irresponsible when it comes to the business. Not a single one of them checked in on me while I was dealing with the council. Oh no, they’ve been fucking the night away without a care in the world.

It’s not that my feelings are hurt. I’m not convinced I have normal emotions. I’m annoyed that Greer didn’t even check in with me upon arrival.

She is my progeny.

Why is my vision going cloudy?

Dammit. This is not a great sign.