Nibbled by the Vamp(19)

Brom’s eyes flared red. “You know you’re Griffin’s Fire. He knew?”

“Yeah, I’m the soul mate to a soulless.”

“We’re not—”

“Don’t bother trying. The little bird will get started and you won’t get a word in edgewise.” The deep, familiar voice washed over her. She crawled over the back of the couch and rushed to Griffin, wrapping her arms around his waist.

“Griffin.” One word yet she put every ounce of feeling into the two syllables. The blood sucker had seeped into her heart and, for some reason, she wasn’t too freaked by that. Which was pretty freaky in itself.

“Let’s sit, Wren. Hyde’s behavior deserves more discussion.”

She kept hold of him, letting him lean on her as they retook her abandoned seat.

Her vampire’s voice was hoarse, face still pale, as he joined the discussion. “He also said ‘the others’ would be pleased. So, we have a pixie king who’s managed to infiltrate the home of a Protector with a magicked card, was trying pretty damned hard to kill said Protector, knew that Wren is my Fire and wanted a message passed along to our Sovereign.” Griffin took a deep breath. “Carac, who has decided that the Knight Protectors should disappear? Or do you think they just want you? And how many are there?”

A breathless hush blanketed the room. Wren wasn’t sure of the details, hadn’t gotten a full explanation out of any of them, but the snippets she’d picked up indicated that the Knight Protectors were the only thing standing between big baddies—like pixies who didn’t have to stay itty-bitty all the time—and humans. She sorta voted for them sticking around. Even if it meant that her vamp would be put into danger. She recognized that he could fend for himself…as long as she wasn’t around to distract him.

She’d try really, really hard to stay out of his way.

Really.

She’d be quiet even.

Brom was the first to break the quiet. “I’ll get in touch with my maker, my sire Adela. I can trust her to inquire in Rome without too much bloodshed. If the pixie king knew of Wren being your Fire, it’s obvious that my contact at the Library has been compromised and another copy of those books are floating amongst the Others.”

“What about the rest?” Wren couldn’t keep the quiver from her voice.

“We have to start at the source. If Adela doesn’t discover anything, we’ll physically encourage the pixies to cooperate.” Griffin’s statement held deadly intent.

“Physically encourage?” She almost smiled. “So, kick ass and forget the names, then?” At her vamp’s nod and a smile in return, she moved on to her next pressing question. “So, if I’m your Fire, what are you? My Vamptasticness? Vampasaurus? Neandervamp?”

“I like Lord and Master.”

“Then I’m assuming you don’t want my blood or to have sex with me for the rest of my short life. Huh.” Because, really? She’d totally cut him off. No nookie for him! Hell, she’d saved his life, the least he could do is let her give him a fun name. Fire? That was so not cool.

“Short life?” He raised an eyebrow. “Little bird, we’re tied together now. We’ve got eternity. Literally.”

Wren narrowed her eyes. “What are you talking about? I wasn’t turned into a vamp, right? I’d know that, wouldn’t I?”

Brom answered her. “Yes, you would know. And no, you weren’t. It’s not necessary when a vampire finds his Fire and completes all three exchanges. A Change isn’t necessary.”

She hissed at the well-meaning vampire and stood, then wrapped her fingers around his wrist and tugged until his rose. “Oh. Look. Griffin looks tired and I should make him rest. Just look at all the fun we’ll have when I rip you to shreds while you sleep.” She gritted her teeth glaring at the man who, apparently, she’d be with forever.

“Wren, we discussed this before you gave him your blood and drank at his wrist in return.” Carac stopped her with his words and she took a deep calming breath.

Then another.

One more…

“While I appreciate that you said we’d be bound together, nothing was mentioned about my life being extended into eternity. Do you know what it’s going to be like to watch Tory die?”

“Tory?” Griffin’s brought his free hand up and brushed a stray hair from her face. “Who’s Tory, little bird?”

“My best friend. I have no one else, Griffin. No parents, no family. I don’t know if I can watch her die.” Her voice was a bare whisper. Emotions tumbled inside her. Yes, she wanted to stay with Griffin. Wholly. But losing the only other person in her life that meant anything… The mere idea brought tears to her eyes and a little bit of her heart cracked within her chest.