Chapter 30

I found Katsuro in the basement. Though to call this luxurious apartment a basement was nearly a disservice. It was entirely possible that Davin, or whoever had built this lodge, had vampires and their comfort in mind when they designed this, and it seemed perfectly suited to someone who had to avoid the sunlight. There was outside access, but the door was heavy, and quite possibly reinforced. I saw no windows, and everything from the plush carpet to the wall hangings and acoustic tiles in the ceiling was designed to muffle sound while still being attractive and comfortable. A fireplace, currently cold, occupied one wall.

The vampire sat in an armchair, long legs stretched out in front of him and a book in his hand. A book I was fairly certain he wasn’t actually reading, since he stared off into the distance instead of at the pages.

“Hey,” I said.

He jumped slightly and snapped the book closed. His gaze shifted until he focused on me with some of that same hunger from before.

“Hello, Hannah.”

I had no idea what to say, so I stood there hoping he would give me an opening.

Unfortunately, Katsuro seemed content to stare back.

Finally, I couldn’t take it any longer. “Are you okay?”

Katsuro nodded. “Of course.”

“I really appreciate what you did, keeping me safe and then rescuing me after.”

The muscles in the vampire’s jaw twitched before he nodded sharply. “You’re quite welcome. I want to keep you safe.” This softened his gaze momentarily before it went distant.

I took a few steps forward, and Katsuro’s gaze shifted to my neck before he jerked his head.

“I want you to be safe,” he repeated. “You should leave.”

“You won’t hurt me.”

Katsuro licked his lips and rose to his feet, movements so fluid they were inhuman. I didn’t back up when he stalked toward me.

“Won’t I?”

“No.”

“I almost killed you, Hannah,” he growled. “If Jaz hadn’t been there to revive you, I would have had to turn you to bring you back.” He turned abruptly and was across the room before I could blink.

“Don’t you think I might have considered that? I don’t know a lot about vampires, but I know some of the lore. I don’t want to be turned, but I had to get Nimbus free, and you, and Jaz. Yes, I took a chance, but it worked, didn’t it?”

His shoulders hunched and he kept his back to me. I went across the room and put my hand on his shoulder.

He moved so fast I didn’t even comprehend what was going on until he’d shoved me up against the wall. His breath tickled my neck. He bunched my shirt in his fist and trapped me with his body. There was nowhere for me to go, and a large part of me was extraordinarily happy to be pressed between the wall and Katsuro. I might have been more embarrassed at the thready gasp that escaped my lips and the heat that built between my thighs, but the entire house had likely heard me having sex with Oliver, and it was a little late for modesty at this point.

Katsuro inhaled, likely taking in my scent.

“You can’t possibly understand how I felt when I came to my senses with you in my arms, your life fading away, knowing I had caused this. And now, after having had so much of it, your blood calls to me and it’s all I can think about. That, and how terrified I am that I will hurt you.” His lips brushed my skin as he spoke.

“So, take my blood,” I replied, voice a little breathy, heart racing. I wasn’t afraid. Well, maybe a tiny bit afraid. But after everything that had happened if it ended like this, at least I would enjoy myself.

“You have no—”

“Stop,” I snapped. “Just do it or get over it. I’ve been running for my life for a couple of years now. I stopped a human trafficking ring by spying on them from the inside. I was terrified for over a year. I had to go on blood pressure meds for six months and anti-anxiety drugs and all sorts of things just to get back to an equilibrium. I saw people killed. I just had to fight for my life again. If you want my blood, take it. If you want to be an angsty ball of mess, I know a good psychiatrist. She’s amazing and will help you with all sorts of coping mechanisms. If there’s something I desperately need to know, then tell me.” They had told me I could tell him he was being an ass.

“Hannah,” he murmured. “It’s a terrible idea.”

“So is wanting my blood so badly it’s all you can think about, and then not taking it when its offered. Bite me, Katsuro. Take my blood and take me to bed, or don’t but then don’t say I didn’t offer.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

He still held me against the wall, his lips pressed against my skin. I was practically shaking with need, despite being thoroughly ravaged by Oliver earlier.

“So don’t.”

He still hesitated, so I shifted my weight to one foot and lifted the other, hooking my leg around his and pulling him even more tightly against me. Oh, he was definitely interested. I put my other arm around his waist and dug my fingers into his side.

That did it. I felt him tense before he gently bit my neck, not breaking my skin but letting me know his fangs were fully extended.

I moaned, now thoroughly soaked between my legs again and desperately wanting to be filled and taken by this vampire.

“Spitfire,” he murmured. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

He shifted, bringing his lips to mine, kissing me, requesting entry. I opened for him, our tongues exploring. I ran mine over his teeth, feeling the sharp points of his fangs, enjoying the give and take as our lips melded and he crushed me against him.

Katsuro gripped my ass and lifted me so I could wrap my legs around his waist, one hand sliding up under my borrowed shirt.

I was losing myself in a hazy pool of need when something barked at us.

No, not something. Someone.

“Nimbus,” I groaned, breaking off our kiss. “Not now.”

Katsuro hissed in annoyance.

He barked again. Nimbus almost never actually barked.

“Fuck,” I muttered. “What now?”

Katsuro cocked his head to the side, listening.

“You can hear from down here?”

“The soundproofing is good, but it’s not that good.” He gave me a soft smile, much closer to his old attitude. “We should investigate.”

“I’d rather get laid.”

That actually got him to laugh.

“Perhaps this will tide you over.” He sank his teeth into my neck.

“Oh fuck,” I practically shouted as my body reacted to his bite. I was already keyed up and whatever it was that vampires did to a human when they bit them to make it feel good rocketed through me. I came hard, seeing stars. I would have fallen if Katsuro hadn’t been supporting me.

Distantly, I felt him take a tiny taste of my blood before he licked my neck and held me while I recovered.

“Tide both of us over?” I murmured through the haze.

“Indeed.”

Nimbus huffed, but he didn’t sound too annoyed, and when I looked for him, he’d vanished.

“Raincheck then?” I said as Katsuro helped me stand on my own.

“Raincheck. You might want to freshen up, however.”

“Yeah.” I wrinkled my nose.

Katsuro pointed me toward the bathroom before heading upstairs. When I’d had a moment to collect myself, I did the same, Nimbus joining me when I reached the staircase.

“What is it, buddy?”

He grumbled uneasily.

When I left the basement, I saw why. I froze, not certain the circle of werewolves surrounding an unfortunately familiar face would be enough to hold him.

“Drake,” I murmured. The shade that had repeatedly tried to steal Nimbus and kidnap me.

As if he’d heard me, his head turned in my direction, his gaze locking onto mine.

The smile he leveled at me said he was anything but subdued.

I shivered and turned to run. I would not be captured again.