Braeden,
I don’t want to disturb your sleep, but I’m sorry it means I can’t be here when you wake. I have a session with my trainer three nights a week, and he’s rather grumpy when I’m late. I’m usually done by about nine. I’ll call you after.
Callie
My eyes narrowed as I finished reading, and I tossed the paper back to where I found it.
I hated that she wasn’t in my arms this morning, but that wasn’t what had rage coursing through my veins. He? Her trainer was male? No fucking way in hell would that be continuing. If anyone was going to train her, it would be me. Just the thought of anyone, man or woman, with their hands on my Callie was enough to make me lose my shit.
Jumping to my feet, I bathed and clothed myself in jeans and a T-shirt with a single thought. Many daywalkers preferred to live more like humans by showering, dressing ourselves, driving cars, etc. But using our magic was a nice shortcut when you were in a rush, and the possessive, jealous beast was clawing its way into control.
Once ready, I stood still and closed my eyes. When Callie and I completed the bond, we would have total access to each other’s minds. And though we could communicate telepathically, she probably wouldn’t divulge her location. If she were on a mission without me (something I intended to make next to impossible), I wouldn’t want to risk distracting her. Until then, I knew I would never survive without a way to check on her and assure myself of her safety.
I wasn’t sure if Callie had even been aware of what I’d done last night when I lapped up those few, tiny drops of blood. It had been a compulsion, irresistible, but hunger hadn’t been the only reason. After tasting her blood, it sang to me and the smell was unique, both of which would make it easier for me to find her.
Drawing in a deep, slow breath, I listened carefully and waited until I heard and felt her blood calling to me. The second I sensed it, I teleported.
When I blinked into the room, the scene before me set the beast free. I’m going to fucking kill him.
4
Callidora
“I didn’t realize until just now how awkward our sessions could get now that you’re of age,” Ren muttered after he pinned me to the mat with his muscular body pressed against mine.
I’d trained with him several times since my birthday, but I hadn’t thought twice about the amount of touching that was involved until today. Something was different since the last time we’d met, and I knew just what—or who—was at the root of the change. “Yeah, it’s amazing how weird things are now that I’ve found the male I’m fated to spend the rest of my life with.”
I had felt his muscles bunch in preparation for pushing off the mat, but his entire body froze at my announcement. His bright blue eyes were wide as he stared down at me. “Holy fuck! Seriously? When did that happen?”
“Last night at Sheridan’s birthday party.”
“Damn.” He let out a low whistle and shook his head. “Sounds like bailing early was the wrong call. I missed all the fireworks.”
“You can say that again,” I murmured, thinking about the jolt of electricity I’d felt when Braeden’s fingers had first brushed against mine.
“Who’s the lucky guy?” he asked.
“Me, you fucking bastard,” Braeden growled, appearing out of nowhere to prowl across the mat and fling Ren off me.
“Whoa,” Ren gasped as he crashed down on the other side of the room. “You’re my brother’s destined consort?”
Braeden didn’t give him the chance to say anything else. He was too busy trying to beat Ren to within an inch of his life. Braeden bent low and nailed his brother with a solid blow to the jaw while he was still on the floor. Ren had spent two years teaching me how to battle evil vampires, so I knew firsthand how skilled he was, but he didn’t put up much of a fight against Braeden. In the time it took me to jump up and race across the room, Braeden had already hit him two more times.
“What in the heck are you doing?” I cried, wrapping my fingers around Braeden’s right bicep to yank his arm back before he punched Ren again.
Gripping the front of Ren’s shirt in his fist, he muttered, “Committing fratricide.”
It took a moment for Braeden’s matter-of-fact reply to register in my brain. “Why in the world would you want to kill your brother?”
I gasped in shock when Braeden turned to look at me, unsure how he was able to speak at all. He was more beast than man with his vampire side at the forefront. His fangs were extended, and his bright blue eyes practically glowed with magic. The room was filled with the power emanating from his muscular body, and he somehow seemed to be taller than he was a minute ago.