Page 87 of Unnatural Fate

“I’m trying,” I said, leaning my forehead against his.

“If we weren’t on the land of a priestess who most certainly is using your blood to make potions for vampires, I’d be fucking you against a tree.”

“I’d let you.” I held him a little tighter, a little closer, and a little harder, like anything I did could set back the hourglass.

“Let me?” he asked, brushing his lips over mine. “You wouldn’t have a choice.”

“I’ve won plenty of those fights.”

“And lost just as many.” He smiled into my lips, and it made me feel a little better.

“On purpose,” I said.

He grabbed my throat again. “If you need to say as much to feel better.”

I grabbed his wrist, pressing his hand into my throat. “Sometimes I like taking your cock.”

“Sometimes?” His brows rose.

“Sometimes.”

Someone cleared their throat behind us, and I could have kicked myself.

My wolf snarled in my mind, which could have translated toWay to not pay attention, moron.

Vin and I detangled ourselves, turning toward the nymph of a person before us. She was as lovely as the day I’d met her. Much too young-looking to have grandchildren, which I suspected was a type of magic I wanted no business with.

“So this is him?” She gave Vin an appraising eye. “I imagined him more menacing.”

Vin scoffed.

“He’s lovely, that energy. No wonder you couldn’t stay away.”

“This isn’t why we are here.” I resisted the urge to cross my arms over my chest. Defensive wasn’t the way to start with anyone.

“Isn’t it all tied? At least in your mind, it is. The webs.”

“Still, one has nothing to do with the other. You know the choice I made, and I stand by it.”

Vin slid his hand into mine, reaffirming my words. We felt like a team. Maybe for the first time ever.

“I know.” She turned toward me. “You need to get more sleep.”

“Rather hard when my people are being killed.”

There was a flicker of something in her dark eyes. I wanted to believe it was guilt, but I couldn’t go there yet. I needed to hear her words.

“Is that your fault?” I asked, and Vin prickled, sending waves through the bond.

“It’s not,” she said simply. No emotion, and I believed her like I always had.

Vin saw a lot I missed, but this didn’t add up to me.

“How can we believe you?” Vin asked, keeping the edge out of his tone for the moment.

“I know why you’re here. We should venture farther onto my land inside the wards, away from prying eyes and ears.”

“Then you did it?” Vin said, jumping the gun.