But that wasn’t the only reason he would forever be able to find her. His teeth gnashed together as he contemplated the truth. He’d thrown up a meal. Again. And even while drinking from the strange human female, he’d been hungry for Ava. Had almost tossed the woman aside and leapt at her, just to have that curvy body near him, his hands all over her, his teeth—or any part of him—inside her. His possession evident to her, to the world.
He’d suspected the worst before, but had refused to ponder or worry. Now he knew, and there was no stopping the worry. She belonged to him. She was his. His woman, his mate. Unless he did something about it, he would never again be able to successfully drink from any one but her.
That was the way of the vampires. When they encountered their mate, the person whose body chemistry best fit their own, they craved that mate and only that mate. No one else could sustain them.
They could have sex with other people, yes. Not that he wanted anyone but Ava. But food? No. It was Ava’s blood for him, and only Ava’s.
That wasn’t a problem for human Ava, of course. She could eat anything she wished. But for McKell? That was a serious f**king problem! His woman was refusing to feed him.
Unfair, and one of the reasons vampires prayed they never mated with a human. Those prayers were usually answered. To his knowledge only one vampire had ever been paired with a human. Still. He’d deal with the food issue later. The biggest problem right now was the sex thing. He and Ava were a couple, yet Ava was resisting him and could sleep with someone else.
And she just might. Clearly she didn’t care about McKell. She’d allowed him to drink another woman’s blood, without protest. She’d actually aided him. Why hadn’t she raged? Attacked? Tried to kill the woman for daring to accept her man?
Damn, damn, damn. Why him? Why a human? A lowly human? He deserved better, damn it!
He wasn’t the first vampire to despise his mate. Not that he hated Ava, but he didn’t want to live with the stubborn baggage forever. He just wanted to sip from her for a few years. And keep her naked and in his bed for a few decades.
God, he was so confused about that woman.
Thankfully, when he tired of her, he had two methods of bond-breaking to choose from. The first—a potion. He had only to drink it, and his body would forget it had ever smelled Ava, ever touched her or tasted her. But afterward, he would never again be allowed to see her. Never again be allowed near her. The moment he encountered her, his body would remember, rendering the potion useless, and he would be back where he started.
The second method—death. Not his. Hers. He could kill her, and his body would return to normal. Forever.
Yet neither method currently appealed to him. He needed her help. Yes, he could have found the other topside vampires on his own. Yes, he could have continued on with his life without her, no problem. But if she was with him, helping him, AIR would leave him alone. At least for a little while.
Even when they were sending agents into the forest to arrest you, you were entertained, not bothered. He ignored that line of thought. He wanted to be left alone. Of course. Who wouldn’t?
So. He would continue his association with Ava. As long as she never drank his blood, they would not be officially married, and he could more easily leave her—and find someone else, someone more appropriate—when the time came.
“Need some help, gorgeous?” a female asked him, returning his thoughts to the present.
He blinked up at her. She’d stopped in front of him, and held out a hand to hoist him up. She was in her mid-thirties, with dark hair, freckles, glasses, and a cute button nose. Innocent, kind, and just begging to be ripped into pieces.
Humans needed to be more careful about who they attempted to aid. And since he was now living here, it was up to him to instruct them. He hissed at her, revealing the sharpness of his fangs. She yelped, paled, and scampered away.
“You’re welcome,” he called as he lumbered to his feet.
He stood there a moment, dizzy, stars winking over his vision, stomach twisting, lungs trying to inflate. So hungry … But, damn it, the complication hadn’t gone away.
He’d promised Ava he wouldn’t drink from her without permission. Why had he done such a stupid thing? he wondered again. Until he consumed the vampire potion, she would be the only person he could drink from. He wouldn’t tell her that, of course. She would realize the power she held over him. Knowing her, and he was beginning to think he did, she would exploit that power.
Therefore, he would have to seduce her and make her willing. McKell sighed, ignoring the anticipation working through him and concentrating on the dread. Dirty work, but a vampire had to do what a vampire had to do.
Ava held her new cell to her ear. Noelle had given her the small black phone to replace her old one. It was the “prezzie” she’d hidden between the naughty cop and curious kitty costumes, and a relief to find, rather than some kind of vibrator with fangs, which Ava wouldn’t have put past her friend. She vowed to be careful with this one. But as her friend spoke, her fingers clenched so tightly the plastic cracked.
“You want me to what?” Ava demanded, even as she loosened her grip.
At her outburst, the people walking in front of her glanced back. She frowned at them and motioned for them to turn around and continue along the sidewalk, before snaking a corner to escape their notice.
“You heard me. Bring McKell to the bar,” Noelle repeated.
And place him directly in the line of fire? “No. No way.” She twisted to the side to avoid colliding with a group of teens headed in the opposite direction.
She’d entered a newer neighborhood than her own, one of shops rather than apartments, and the streets were far more crowded. Plus, Friday night, everyone was looking for a good time.
“Why not?” Noelle asked.
“Uh, why not?” Bright lights pulsed on her right, a twinkling kaleidoscope of pinks, blues, and greens, blurring together as she raked her brain for an excuse. Lost in thought as she was, she tripped over her own feet. Enough. Scowling, she righted herself and stomped to the nearest building, then leaned against the cold stone. Her heart pounded against her ribs, like a jackhammer against concrete. “Just … because.”
There was a crackle of silence. Then, “You afraid the other agents will whack him?”
Yes! “No, of course not. One, he can take care of himself, and two, I don’t care if he lives or dies.” Even saying the words hurt. Die. McKell. He’d been sick, but still she’d tasered him. What kind of person was she? Worse, she’d left him to fend for himself in his weakened condition.