Page 34 of Blood Match

“There’s no other way.” I know it’s true as I say it.

“Not a chance. This is just another of your tricks. You people are…slimy.”

Slimy?

I don’t respond to the jibe. “Suit yourself. Just don’t whine the next time you find me popping into your thoughts while you’re in the shower.”

There’s a gasp. “You wouldn’t!”

“Maybe I wouldn’t. Maybe I would. Who knows when this thing will trigger again?” I suddenly find myself liking the idea of her in the shower. A lot.

“This… I… I don’t know…” She’s fumbling for an answer.

“If we’re going to end this bullshit, we have to work this thing out. And the only way is face to face.” I don’t know how I know it; I just do.

There’s a tense moment, and I know she’s realizing it too.

And for some reason, I feel something tightening in my gut. A strange pull that feels like…hunger.

Or lust.

“Okay.” It comes out as a husky whisper. A whisper that tugs lower than my gut this time.

Lust. Definitely lust.

And I’m going to meet her.

11

Chapter 11

Rowan

Ican’t believe I’m doing this. It’s totally nuts! Not only am I about to meet a freaking vampire, but I’m pretty sure he’s behind what happened the other night. And I haven’t told anyone. Not even Poppy.

Why didn’t you tell anyone?

Truth be told, I’m afraid. Afraid that I’m the reason the vampires descended on our vigil. Afraid of what the others will say when they find out.

It might not be you!

But a persistent little part of me can’t believe that.

So now, I’m standing in the place where it happened. Our sacred grove. It’s been restored to its former beauty thanks to some strategic magic – the covens hated the idea of it being ruined. As I look around, there’s a nagging question in my head.

Why here?

I’ve asked myself that a thousand times, but I couldn’t think of anywhere else. He can’t go out in daylight, so we have to meet at night. A public place would have been sensible, but I was afraid of being recognized with him. And there’s no way I’d let him anywhere near my family home. So here I am, about to be alone in the woods with a vampire.

I have to trust him.

I give a dry laugh at the thought of it. It’s ridiculous. But for now, I have to do it. He’s stuck with this problem, too, after all. Both of us need to end this connection.

You know he could just kill you to do it, right?

The thought freezes me in my tracks. I’ve never been uncomfortable in the darkness, and certainly never in any of our sacred spaces, but suddenly, the grove feels ominous.

Where is he?