While vampires could compel humans, they couldn’t compel their Moira’s or other vampires. When he first laid eyes on Kate, he knew without a shadow of a doubt, she was his. Yes, he’d tried to compel her at the precinct, but only because he’d actually forgotten that one couldn’t compel his Moira. He could hardly contain his sheer joy at finally finding her.
“No, I could not compel her. I tried when she refused to go into protective custody.” He laughed. “I think she knew I was up to something because she gave me a funny look when I tried.” Yes, she was going to be a challenge. One he was very much looking forward to.
“Don’t worry, man. You can charm the panties off of any female, compulsion or not. I have no doubt you’ll have her with you within a matter of hours.”
Dev knew it would take more than that. The need to be inside her was visceral. He simply had to explore her body, feel her, taste her. He knew had to rein in this overwhelming need or he would send her running for the hills. Not that he wouldn’t follow, drag her back and lock her in his house. He would never let his Moira go. Strangely enough, though, he didn’t want to imprison her. He wanted her to want to be with him, to need him, to love him.
Ren glanced at his watch. “Her class should be just about over.”
“Thank Christ.” Hopefully she’d just go straight home. He had Thane posted at her house right now to ensure nothing was disturbed while she’d been gone. As soon as she was settled for the evening, however, he intended to pay his Moira a little visit.
And begin his covetous and relentless pursuit to win her.
Chapter 10
Xavier
“You’d better have some good news for me, Marcus,” Xavier growled. He was tired of living like this. Tired of hiding. Goddamn Regent Lords. He couldn’t wait to slaughter each and every one of them. Personally. His hatred for them was so intense; he felt it burning through his gut every second of every single day. He was so close to his goal, he could taste it. Feel it in every cell of his body. Finally, after hundreds of years of experiments and preparation, he was on the brink of world domination.
“I do, my lord.” Marcus kept his eyes averted toward the floor. Marcus was a good slave. He was exceptionally brilliant and had been able to make the most progress in the drug that increased successful conception and live births of their vampire babies. His growing army.
“Get on with it, Marcus.”
“We took the most recently acquired female into the insemination room this morning, as blood tests showed she was ovulating.”
“I don’t need these mundane updates. Anything else of actual importance?”
“Ah, we lost another baby and female this morning. Another female likely won’t make it until tomorrow.
“Well, we can always get more. Anything else?”
“Nothing else my lord.”
Marcus looked deathly pale and he was breathing fast. The human was scared. He was always a sweaty mess when in his presence.
An evil grin ate up Xavier’s entire hideously fire-scarred face. Another memento, courtesy of those self-righteous lords. Another wrong to right. While vampires healed from most other grievous of wounds, they could not heal from fire. He would be forever disfigured. He wouldn’t allow mirrors anywhere in the compound, as he didn’t want a constant reminder that his looks were taken from him, in addition to his freedom. Where his looks once drew females like flies, now it repulsed them.
“That will be all.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Oh, and, Marcus…I’m quite hungry. Bring me a female.”
“Of course, my lord.” Marcus quickly fled the room.
Chapter 11
Kate
Kate walked through the front door and straight to the kitchen. It wasn’t even five o’clock yet, but she desperately needed a drink. Pouring a glass of Zinfandel from a half-empty bottle, she thought that simply might not cut it tonight. Within fifteen minutes, she was emptying the rest into her stemless glass. Sitting at the kitchen table in silence, she watched the bitter winter wind violently whip fluffy light snow around the yard. It looked like someone had shaken up a snow globe and she was reminded of the Beauty and the Beast one she had as a child. Goddamn Disney and the dream of happily ever after they push on young, impressionable girls.
So desperate for the mind numbing effects of the alcohol, she hadn’t even bothered to take off her boots and now there was a puddle of melted snow spreading out beneath her on the cold tile floor. But it didn’t matter, because she seemed to have a singular focus.
Try as she might, she simply could not stop thinking of Dev. Of his eyes or his smell or his touch. She was obsessing like a fifteen year old with her first real crush and it was just plain pissing her off. The only thing Kate was obsessed about was research.