Chapter 26: Reign

Chapter Twenty-Six

Reign

I n my long life, I’ve never run across whatever species Hazel is. She’s almost terrifyingly powerful. The woman brought me and Seiran to our knees, using only her mind. Novak fared a little better, but I believe that was because he was holding Greer. Even if not, that’s what I’m going with.

My pride has already taken a hit today, and I’ll cushion it, even with delusions.

Novak, Seiran, and I stand around in a semicircle as Greer, Lisette, and the violent female demon sit in Novak’s living room.

“How did she even come to be with the witch?” I ask in utter confusion.

Lisette is mostly harmless. She runs Spellbound, and she’s also older than dirt, but then again, so am I.

“Not a fucking clue. At least Greer has powerful friends who care enough to check in?” Seiran says, shrugging.

Sometimes his eternal optimism is annoying.

Now is one of those times.

It feels like we need more information.

“Anything with that much power makes me nervous,” Novak whispers.

“Well, I, for one, intend to go introduce myself to my mate’s friend.” Seiran rolls his shoulders back and nods, like he’s still attempting to pump himself up to be that close to Hazel.

I don’t blame him. There’s something entirely unnatural about that woman, and I’m half nightmare. Not much fazes me.

“He’s braver than I,” Novak mutters, casually running his fingers over his neck.

Ahh, so the bonding did occur both ways.

“I’ve been meaning to ask.” I nod to his throat. “Was that intentional, or is she fated to be yours?”

“It would be the latter,” Novak says without taking his eyes off Greer. “I only realized when I spotted her mark as I was in the process of trying to give her a lesson on how to feed. She bit me to seal her transformation, but I believe her weakened state prevented her from completing her side of the bond. My claiming bite appeared when she fed from me in my office shortly before we left.”

“Does she know?” I ask.

His head shakes, and his shoulders rise and fall with a heavy shrug. “Possibly? I was going to address that conversation when we settled in to slumber, but she kissed the mark. So, there’s truly no telling, but I would imagine she knows something deeper connects us.”

“Yeah, the sun should be up at any time. She’s going to get drowsier and drowsier. Do you think I should offer to sort a room for her friend?”

Novak grunts. “I’m not sure I’ll sleep knowing that being is under the same roof.” That’s a good point. “You’re far more cordial than I am.” He nods to the living room. “Tell them to get out, so we can put Greer to bed.”

“Hazel seems nice,” I lie through my teeth, helping Greer rinse her stunning pink hair.

“I used to babysit her when she was little.” Greer chuckles. “God, I feel old.” She yawns, leaning back against Seiran’s chest as he soaps her stomach from behind.

“You don’t want to imagine how old you’ll feel in a few hundred years.” I grab some of the excess soap and move to do her hips and thighs.

“I’ll bet,” she agrees. “I’m not sore at all from earlier. Just dead on my feet. I could fall asleep standing up.”

“That should get more manageable over the next few months,” Seiran says. “I’m going to sleep in my bed, if that’s okay with you. I’ll rest for a few hours, then I need to run by Granny’s house to check in on it and grab your cell phone. Hazel seemed serious about you calling your friends and family.”

Greer grimaces. “Yeah, I need to update them for sure. I’m a little worried my family will try to come visit. I don’t think I’m ready for all that just yet.”

“If you explain that you’re safe and simply adjusting to your transformation, I believe that will put them at ease,” I say, giving her a soft smile. “I’m sure the wondering is the worst part.”

“You’ll have Reign and Novak to keep you company while I’m away.” Seiran kisses her cheek from behind. “If we’ll be staying here, I’ll need to notify the council of that. Though, you are here now, so they’re unlikely to appoint someone else to watch over Granny’s house.”

“Okay,” she says around a yawn as her eyes close.

She’s officially done for. It’s time we wrap this up and get her to bed.

Greer’s adorable huffing and puffing version of snoring keeps me up for a while, but I eventually fall asleep.

I rouse to soft gulping sounds and roll to find Greer sleeping on Novak’s chest. He palms the back of her head as she drinks from just above his clavicle. Hmm, that location could qualify as his chest.

“Is she still slumbering?” I ask.

Novak nods. “It’s not uncommon for newborn vampires to nurse in their sleep. It’s why the maker bond encourages her to stay close while she slumbers. It helps to fortify her system with my blood, but the practice will lessen as she ages.”

“How are you handling the venom?” I chuckle, running my hand down her spine.

“Surprisingly well. She barely dosed me this time,” he murmurs. “That means it’s something we can work on. Otherwise, she may have to feed from glasses for a while.”

“Or solely from us,” I say with a laugh. “There’s nothing like coming inside her with her fangs buried deep?—”

“Yes, well, I wouldn’t know,” he says in a clipped tone.

My eyebrows rise. “It appears you have more self-control than I possess.”

“I never saw myself being bonded before slipping inside my mate, but here we are,” Novak says drolly. “And, tonight, I have to take her by the council building to allow Bart to interrogate her. It’s got my instincts all out of whack.”

“You need to get some rest. Don’t stress, all she has to do is tell the truth.”

“Yes, except if they ask about the humans who clearly consented after a heavy dose of compulsion.” He sighs. “It is what it is. I’ll pay the fine if it comes down to it. I’m more concerned that they could place me in holding for several days to await sentencing. That would be pure hell for Greer.”

It’s strange to hear him so concerned with the future, but that speaks to how daunting it is to have someone else we need to keep safe. I’ve experienced a fair amount of worrying about what happens if her previous maker comes looking for her. I can only hope he’ll be of an age that we can manage. If he’s an ancient, we could be in for quite the battle. Still, my job is to reassure my friend. And I do believe we can handle Bart and the council.

“We’ve covered up much more serious transgressions than this,” I remind him. “The humans lived. Truly, they should stop complaining or move to a human town.”

Novak gives a clipped nod, focusing back on Greer. She begins to sip again, and a lazy smile breaks out on his face.

That man is done for, and he doesn’t even realize it. Now, I just need to figure out how to get her to claim me. I don’t begrudge my friends their happiness, but I can’t stomach the thought of being left behind.