Chapter 8 Thirst and Consequence
Chapter Eight
Thirst and Consequence
— Xavier —
Rurik isn’t the worst vampire I’ve ever met, but if he were on fire, I’d take my time finding a hose. He’s just so… presumptuous about Dominga. I hated the fake dates, and I hate that he’s the one who gets to turn her if things go sideways—because something is always going sideways.
If she has to choose someone, why can’t it be Gray or Val? It’s bullshit that they’re both out of the running.
What if something happens, and Sunday has to go to Volga indefinitely—or at least until she stops draining every living thing in sight?
I’ve only seen one newly turned vamp, and he was a whole floorshow and a lap dance worth of crazy. We’ll be separated—everyone in Mississippi with Mishka and the twins, while Gray or Tomas follows Sunday to Volga. I don’t like the idea of either of them being somewhere I can’t see them, doing vampire shit for Goddess knows how long.
Would Sunday be mad if I accidentally-on-purpose removed Volga’s head? Probably . My shadow cat offers a slow-motion reel of Rurik’s head rolling across the floor, and I chuckle.
There has to be someone else Grayson trusts in North America. Volga can’t be the best option. Anxiety chews at the edges of my composure, threatening to overwhelm me. Usually, I can keep it buried, but not today. After last night and the many ways everything almost went wrong—it’s all too close to the surface. My jaguar’s on edge, too, pacing in my mind, ready to pounce at any shadow. It’s hard to keep him calm, to keep myself from overreacting.
Val appears behind me. “There are too many people in here.”
“Hard agree.”
“How are you, Xavier? Have you…” She searches for a word. “Reconnected with your mate?”
“He’s mostly been with Sunday, but it’s okay.” And to my amazement, it actually is. I can feel her happiness—she shares it freely. For once, I’m not jealous. Instead, I feel a kind of referred joy. Plus, snuggling with Ben last night? He could never be a consolation prize.
She nods. “And yet, you feel restless.”
She’s still tuned into my emotions from the copious amounts of her blood it took to save me. “I’m tired of Volga. And, no offense, but I’m tired of vampire shit.” Exhausted by it, really—I just want this whole night, this whole month, behind us.
“By tomorrow night, most of them will be gone.” She sinks to her knees so she’s closer to my ear. Together, we watch Rurik gesturing animatedly at Sunday through the glass doors. Sunday, phone pressed between her ear and shoulder, nods along, occasionally raising a hand to shush Rurik while she listens to her father. Grayson and Aiden speak in low murmurs, occasionally punctuated by Tomas’ forced chuckle.
“May I share something with you?” Val’s voice is soft, hesitant.
I turn, giving her my full attention. “Always.”
She accepts that with a curt nod and half smile. “I am very anxious. Aiden has offered to take me back to Hibernia…” I open my mouth to argue, but she cuts me off. “…and I know Gretchen would like to see me home again. But I’ve enjoyed the last few weeks more than any time since my turning. It’s been exciting to be part of something, to have… friends.” She pauses, then adds, almost shyly, “I stopped smoking.
I give her a delicate sniff—much improved. She smiles, dipping her head, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. Then her expression turns serious again.
“Now that Grayson has returned…” She shifts nervously, her gaze flicking to her Maker across the room. “Do you think you will still need me?”
“I seem to remember you making a very serious oath to the head of our house. Birds were pecking away at your innards, there were chains…”
“Well, yes, but she’s not a vampire, and he is—a very ancient one, not known for keeping a large entourage.”
“I think you’re worrying about nothing, but I’ll ask around. Do me a favor and don’t give Hibernia an answer tonight, okay?”
“It can certainly wait a night.”
Gray and Tomas continue their strange dance—like they’re trying to avoid stepping on each other’s toes but also kinda want to bump into each other. It’s awkward as hell, but also kinda hot. There’s definitely some unspoken shit going on there.
I lean toward Val, whispering, “I’ll share something, too.” She moves closer, fully aware of how good everyone’s hearing is.
“I’m not sure Gray will want to fix our bond, and it’s making my jaguar crazy. He wants to rip something, or someone, apart.”
“Acknowledging your bloodthirst is the first step, Xavier. And who knows—tonight might offer a chance to satisfy your jaguar.”
“We can only hope.”
“Could you be happy with just Sunday and Ben?”
I groan, dropping my face into my hands. “Eventually, sure. I’m lucky to have any of them, let alone two. Three is just plain greedy.”
“I don’t think it’s greedy. I think it’s… a testament to the strength of your bond with him. It’s not easy to let go of something so powerful.”
I give Val what I hope is a grateful smile. She glances across the room at the two vampires.
“May I offer you advice?”
“What’s that?”
“Do not underestimate my uncle. Stay on his good side. He’s survived many attempts on his life and has only grown more powerful.”
“Who said anything about an attempt on his life?” In my mind, Rurik’s head rolls across the red-tiled balcony, the punchline to a dark joke. My cat is sassy as fuck today.
Val smirks, then rises to her feet and lays a hand on my shoulder. “You have daggers in your eyes, and they’re all for him. He can be a powerful ally for Sunday or a very dangerous enemy for us all. I know which one I hope House Marchese will choose.”
“Fine. I’ll keep my daggers sheathed. And you’ll wait until tomorrow night before you decide?”
“We have a deal, my friend.”
Grayson approaches, smiles at Val, and lifts his index finger, a clear signal for me to stand. I turn in the armchair, kicking my legs over the armrest. I’m not making it easy for anyone. He shakes his head in mock disappointment, lifts me effortlessly, and takes the chair. I’m deposited back on his lap, and my jaguar immediately settles into a lengthy grooming session.
“You’re making me look bad in front of the other vampires,” he jokes, his breath warm in my ear. “How can I command their respect when my little shifter is such a brat?” He nips my ear, sending a full-body shiver through me.
“Sounds like a you problem, not a me problem.”
“Does it?” He gives me an assessing look, one eyebrow raised. He’s acting nonchalant, but he’s holding me so tightly I imagine it would hurt a human. I like it. I like that he feels a little desperate, a little needy. I do, too.
“We killed all the listening devices in here during our last stay, didn’t we?” Grayson’s voice reverberates through his chest and into mine as his eyes scan the room. I let myself be cuddled like a kitten, enjoying this new affectionate Gray far more than I want to admit.
Shit, he’s talking to me, isn’t he? “Yes… assuming she didn’t send anyone to fix them. The one over the door was the last one left.”
Tomas’ eyes light up, and he moves to dismantle the nearest fire alarm, clearly in his element. He saunters off with a spring in his step, whipping a chair around and placing it under the device. Aww, he looks so happy.
The door to the balcony swings open, and Sunday strides back into the room, her expression a mask of controlled determination. Rurik follows, irritation flickering across his face before it smooths into that practiced vampire blankness.
He grabs Sunday’s elbow, and she spins around, her fists clenched, hair crackling with zips of blue magic. She’s pissed. I hop off Gray’s lap, all fun and flirtation forgotten.
“You have my support,” Rurik says, his voice hard. “But this plan will tear itself apart. You can’t expect centuries of hate to vanish just because you ask nicely.”
Sunday steps closer, her voice unwavering. “I believe in this, Rurik. And it’s my decision. I’m sorry that’s so very hard for you.”
The vampire mask slips, and worry creases his face. His voice turns pleading. “We can make changes, Sunday—incremental ones. You’re rushing headlong into this.”
“I don’t have an eternity to wait. There are displaced beings all over the world. They need help now, not in a decade.”
Rurik sighs, tension visible in his shoulders. “ Solnyshko , please. Let’s deal with the former Empress first. Let’s clear the decks before we start another battle.” She holds his gaze until he mutters under his breath, “So incredibly stubborn… Don’t expect me to clean up your mess while you’re across the ocean enjoying your domestic bliss.”
He’s right. She is stubborn and idealistic. But I wouldn’t have her any other way.
A thrill of anticipation courses through me, and my jaguar growls low in my chest, eager for the coming conflict, eager to show the world what we’ll do for her. As the door slams behind Rurik, my claws extend involuntarily, then retract, leaving behind a faint tingling sensation.