Drantos(86)

“I do miss my friend,” he admitted.

Aveoth broke eye contact and turned, putting some space between them. Drantos thought he’d leave but the other man paused, glancing over his shoulder at him. “I wish you and Kraven well. I have fond memories but times have changed. A close association with you would be seen as a weakness. I can’t permit that.” He slowly turned his body to face them once more. “Tell Kraven I have no interest in Batina.”

Drantos relaxed. “Thank you.” His relief upon realizing Aveoth wouldn’t go after Bat, that Kraven wouldn’t have to fight to the death to save his mate, was immeasurable.

Aveoth inclined his head and actually smiled. “I’d like to keep my balls exactly where they are and not inside a box in some woman’s purse.” He glanced at Dusti, then back at Drantos. “Protect your mate better.”

“It’s been a bad few days.”

“We were in a plane crash,” Dusti added.

Aveoth looked surprised, staring at Drantos for confirmation. “A plane crash?”

He nodded. “I don’t have your wings. I wished I did when we were about to slam into the ground. All Kraven and I could do was wrap our bodies around them and hope it would be enough. We’ve been trying to get them to our territory ever since but Decker sent enforcers to attack us while we were vulnerable.”#p#分页标题#e#

“I’ll handle Decker.” Aveoth’s tone took on an icy edge. “He’s attempted to blackmail me for the last time. I know you have your own reasons to go after him but again, it will be considered justice when I kill him.”

Drantos had no argument with that. “I just want the threat to end.”

“I agree.” Aveoth glanced at Dusti again and his smile returned. “I like her.”

Drantos tensed, prepared once more to fight to keep Dusti.

Aveoth didn’t attack, but said instead, “Listen to me well, Drantos.”

He expected a threat.

“I’m giving you the gift of knowledge. Old Vampire masters keep their made children in the dark in more ways than one. They don’t share their secrets, believing the fear of the unknown will help them stay in power over their nests.” He paused. “Lycans tend to send their young and females of breeding age to safety when they face a battle. That means their elderly are often killed when they remain behind to fight, so much of their history is lost.” He paused. “Gargoyles, however, are record keepers—and we have thousands of years of knowledge written down, everything we’ve learned from both races.”

Drantos frowned, not sure how this was relevant to him.

Aveoth chuckled, seeming to sense his confusion. “VampLycans are children compared to some of my ancestors. I spent many a year in our libraries reading.” His expression turned grim. “I didn’t have a happy childhood, but my time spent amongst the records was helpful.” He paused again and glanced at Dusti, then Drantos. “All the reasons your father might fear you mating to her wouldn’t be a problem…if you were to share your blood with her generously while she carries your line. Do you understand?”

“You’re saying my blood will—”

“Yes,” Aveoth cut him off. “Exactly. I would hate to see you leave your clan and venture into the human world. You belong here. So do your offspring. They’ll be as strong as you are.”

“You’re sure?” If Aveoth was right, his children could still be born with the ability to shift if he fed Dusti blood on a regular basis while she was pregnant.

“I’m certain. It’s been done for generations with Gargoyles. It’s why all of us retain our bloodlines so strongly, regardless of the race of women we breed with. That information is for you and your family only. Do you understand? Never repeat where you learned it.”

“Thank you.”

Aveoth stared at Dusti. “She is tempting. I miss the blood so much.” He looked at Drantos. “Take her and go now. I have a corpse to dispose of and a few more to make.”

Drantos shifted Dusti in his arms, gently draping her over his shoulder, then sprinted off into the woods.

Aveoth had practically admitted that the blood-addiction rumors were true. It made him afraid for his mate. She carried the bloodline Aveoth craved in her veins. She was already bleeding. Drantos could smell it, felt the sticky blood under his hand even now, and had glimpsed the damage to her leg. He just wanted to get her far away in case Aveoth reconsidered letting her go.

Motivation to protect his mate made him push his limits. It would have been faster if he’d shifted to all fours to run but he didn’t believe Dusti was up for another shock.