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"So you knohat he is," Gideon coan

"Yes I’m the only one, other than Miss Nai conversation Gideon knew the security chief wouldn’t have been the one who leaked Daegan’s presence at the club to Barnabus Though the staff an was, they were fa him Was that how Barnabus had tracked him here? And what business between thees of their existence, Gideon knew that vampire society was brutal Hell, the main reason the Vampire Council had been formed was to impose rules that would keep bloodshed, both their own and huoal of those rules was not ranola vampires, but to hide the truth of their existence froht her into contact with his world, and hadn’t even imposed the protection of his marks upon her? She’d clearly stated no vampire had a claim on her So what the hellwas their relationship?

The business office area was deserted, as James had said, and they reached the elevator in a matter of a few strides It appeared like a simple service elevator, but there was a security keypad When Jaan could shift his precious burden and enter the code, Gideon realized Anwyn allowed no one, even her security chief, access to her rooaze swept over them, but before he could do what Gideon anticipated, he stepped into the elevator ahead of the vaetting rid of e of the fact that Daegan wouldn’t want to prolong their tiulanced at James and tilted his head, and the security chief stepped on with the the proper button They all stared forward, and Gideon thanked whatever gods ht listen that there was no elevator music It would have been unbearable

However, as short a trip as it was, he realized he wouldn’t havethat would cushion the sound of Anwyn’s ragged breath, evidence of her pain and distress Her fingers were curled into Daegan’s shirt, white-knuckled and tight She kept her face hidden against his chest The s, quickly became apparent

When the doors opened, they revealed a spacious sitting roo fireplace Wide hallways leading from it showed snatches of a bedroo rooht, with a wide pass-through and bar area No obvious alternative exits, but Gideon assumed she had to have a fire stairwell soan was speaking to the security chief "Transition times can vary Start with a couple weeks Come up with the proper explanations to cover her absence for that tiress Hopefully, in a few days, she’ll be able to do so herself"

Gideon’s attention sharpened He’d assisted his brother’s transition with the help of Lord Mason, a vampire almost as old as Lyssa Mason had said that transitions were prettyto control bloodlust, which was the vara, but with the sire’s blood, it was eable In a normal transition, she would likely be able to check on her staff and appear relatively normal for monitored excursions--very brief ones--within a short time period

But this hadn’t been normal, had it? And they still didn’t have the sire’s blood Jacob had needed a drop of Lyssa’s blood each day, but that was because of her age and strength If this va, she’d need more than that Fast

"If I have need of you, I will call," Daegan continued He shifted his gaze to Gideon "You can show Mr

Green to the door on your way up"

"Not unless he’s dragging my dead body there"

Gideonsure his oas as badass Of course, without the eleth, so he added logic to his defense "You’re going to need help You said the sire’s blood is needed I can help you with that I can help you watch over her, because you’re going to have to sleep during daylight hours, and Ja up there"

"She is becoive me if I will take my chances"

"She didn’t ask for this She’s a victi to stake her for soht away, at least" The caustic tone and Daegan’s forbidding countenance were a clear fuck-off, a threat he was obviously prepared to back up, but a ragged whisper intervened "Both" Daegan shifted his attention to the woht her to the couch When he took a knee beside her, retaining one of her hands, Gideon slid behind the couch to flank her other side The flicker of Daegan’s lashes told hi his movements, but the vampire kept his dark eyes on her face James had moved in a couple steps as well, his attention also trained on Gideon, reinforcing Daegan’s flank

"What,cher ?"

Her free hand lifted, but instead of an, it floundered upward, toward the back of the couch Catching it, Gideon leaned over so she could see hinizance Of course, with orientation would co pain of memory He never wanted her to relive what had happened to her tonight With a gut-punch feeling, he recalled the brief shadow of fear, an unwelcoreen eyes when he’d looht was not the first night she’d been treated like this

God, he was so sick of this fucking aorld

"I want you both Daeganlet hian’s attention slid over their clasped hands, rose to Gideon’s face "Then he stays" Just like that It startled Gideon, that the vampire didn’t try to talk her out of it or seem put out by her plea In fact, his tone made it clear that, since it hat Ananted, it was no longer Gideon’s choice Just like a vao, he would have said a vas for a hu an always-accessible Happy Meal But that was before Lady Lyssa sacrificed al to save his brother’s life It hadn’t changed Gideon’s feelings toward vampires as a whole--what had been done to Anasto acknowledge this vas when it ca and wishes