Taking on Tory(26)

“I’d love to have almost a week of mindless sex,” Kevin had grumbled, throwing his fork down. “What do I get? Garden parties! God, I hate being a Troll!”

Maverick had winked at Tory. “If you are ever interested, let me know, Tory,” he had teased. “I’d love a week exploring your curves!”

She had thrown the remains of her lunch at Maverick who had just laughed. Now, she half suspected he really meant it. She stumbled when she felt the decorative throw from the couch being wrapped around her before she was swept off her feet.

“Simon,” she protested.

“Time's up,” he growled.

Simon opened the door with the hand holding her under her knees. Tory blushed when she saw Youssef standing outside the door with a dark scowl on his face. Simon jerked his head at the man.

“The neighbors have called the police to say there is a wild animal in the building,” Youssef said in a low voice. “I told them all to stay in their apartments until it was captured. The SUV is out back.”

“Move,” Simon demanded in a voice that sounded anything, but human. “The moon is rising.”





Chapter 11


Three days later, Simon sat on the edge of the bed looking down at Tory’s relaxed features. He picked up her limp hand, raising her pale, slender fingers to his lips. A sense of remorse swept through him at the dark circles under her eyes.

He had been ruthless, insatiable, the last three days. The only time he gave her to feed was during their lovemaking. His fingers tightened convulsively around hers as shock swept through him.

Lovemaking, he thought as he stared down at her pale features. I love her.

Panic swept through him as he realized that he loved Tory. A shaky smile curved his lips as his gaze eagerly caressed her face. He loved her sense of humor. During the short bouts of sanity, she had told him of her life back in Magic. If he ever met her father, he would have to remember to thank the man for casting the Blisterwart spell and hiding it in Tory’s hairbrush.

She had told him about her weekly visits to talk to the ghost down at the cemetery, her dreams of building her Graphic Design business, and about how she had almost died from a blood disorder when she was just a baby. He remembered her rolling her eyes when she told him about it.

*.*.*

“Whoever heard of a Vampire with a blood disorder?” She had asked him as she gazed down from where she was sprawled across his chest. “That would be like a Werewolf being allergic to… to… meat!”

“I’m just glad you are not allergic to mine,” he had replied as he drew her back down to him. “I love it when you bite me.”

“So do I,” she whispered.

*.*.*

A knock on the door pulled him out of his memories. He rose from the edge of the bed and walked across the room. Opening the door, he frowned when he saw Youssef standing outside the door with a worried expression on his face.

“I have not killed her,” Simon assured his friend as he leaned against the door jam and folded his arms.

Youssef’s eyes flickered briefly toward the bed, but he couldn’t see anything between Simon’s tall figure and the half shut door. Instead, he turned his gaze back to Simon. He shifted as the cell phone in his pocket buzzed.

“We have a problem,” Youssef said in a short voice. “The alarms are going off all over the estate. Four of my men have not responded to calls to check in. I sent two men out. At least two of the men were unconscious.”

A low snarl escaped Simon. It wasn’t often that someone suspected what he was, but it did happen. Over the centuries, he’d had to fight Slayers who came for him. The beast inside him immediately reacted to the threat against his mate.

Simon stepped out into the hallway. The change was already coming over him. His eyes flickered back to the closed bedroom door.

“Protect her,” Simon ordered in a guttural voice.

“With my life, my friend,” Youssef promised.

Simon closed his eyes and let the beast take over. If there were intruders on the estate, it would find them. The large white and gray wolf glanced back at the door before it raised its head and howled. The hunt was on.

*.*.*

Alexandru landed on the balcony outside of Simon Drayton’s bedroom. Through the glass doors, he could see Tory’s still, pale features. Rage burned in his eyes as he noticed the dark circles under his baby sister’s eyes and the mark on her throat.

Only an immortal creature could leave its mark upon another. Fury welled inside him leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. He flicked his wrist and the door opened. Striding over to the bed, he sat on the edge.

“Tory?” Alexandru murmured in a low voice. “Tory, wake up.”