Suzanne Wright - The Bite That Binds

Rowan thought that was hilarious. Marcia shot her life-partner a dirty look.

“Despite all the duelling, I truly believe that Sam is perfect for Jared. She has a number of qualities that I could list, but what I really love about her is that she makes my brother smile. Not a lot of people can do that. On that thought” − he looked at me, then − “Jared, you’re a lucky bastard. Sam, take pity on him, he’s only eleven.”

I tried not to smile, but unfortunately it didn’t work, particularly since Sam was laughing.

“It’s no secret that Jared is popular with the females, just as it’s no secret that he once enjoyed that. But as it’s clear that he’s utterly devoted to Sam, I think it would be a good idea if those of you who have a key to his apartment now hand it over.”

I gawked as practically every female rose and came to the main table to place a key in the glass bowl that Evan was holding up. I could feel that Sam was irritated, but when Fletcher skipped over and put a key in the bowl, she realised that Evan was just pissing around and had obviously handed out keys earlier. Laughing, she discretely flipped Evan the finger. I scowled at the jerk.

Once everyone was seated again, Evan smiled at us. “I don’t think I’m in the best position to give either of you any advice since I haven’t yet Bound myself to anyone, but just think of it as a football game: there’ll be a lot of shouting, balls are going to get manhandled, and there’ll be some hard tackles…but if you keep at it and try real hard, there’ll also be smiles and a whole lot of scoring.” Nodding, he then sat again on the seat beside mine as everyone clapped.

“I could hit you for the key stunt,” I told him. He just laughed.

And so the lavish feast began. Rum-flavoured NSTs were passed around as course after course was served − all of which were delicious − while the same band from the yacht played a variety of songs that covered all genres. I had to agree with Sam; Fletcher had most likely chosen the music once again. Most people got up to dance. Chico and Jude danced together a few times, which drew eyes. Sam got up dancing several times but would sit her ass back down the second a ballad started – still not a fan of slow dancing. She was therefore grateful that Binding ceremonies didn’t include a ‘first dance’ like weddings did.

Dancing not far from her were my brother and one of Bran’s consorts − or ‘pretend’ consorts – Alora. As usual for whenever he was close, the redhead slightly resembled a flighty deer. I literally had no idea what her problem was. I’d seen the way she looked at him, seen the deadly looks she had shot any females who went near him. It took a lot to not go over there and ask what had crawled up her ass and died.

The moment the song ended, she scampered. I couldn’t help chuckling. Nor could Evan, who then made his way to me.

“Not so smooth anymore, are you?” I joked.

“Or maybe I’m too smooth and it’s making her flustered.”

“Have you told her about Luther’s vision; that she was in it with you?”

He shook his head. “That would spook her out and send her running.”

“She looks close to running anyway.”

“She has her reasons.”

“And you’re not going to tell me what they are,” I quickly realised.

“Another time,” he promised. “This is your Binding. This is about you and that stunning woman over there who David is drooling over.”

Yeah, I’d noticed that, and I had every intention of whisking her away any second now. I knew from experience that Binding celebrations could go on past dawn and I wanted some time alone with her.

I squeezed my way through the crowds to where she was dancing with David and tapped him on the shoulder. I didn’t have to say a word; he instantly handed her over to me, congratulating us once more.

Pulling her close, I kissed her softly. “Ready to leave yet?”

Smiling, she arched a brow. “Anxious to get me out of this dress?”

“Actually, I’m totally fine with you leaving it on while I bury myself inside you.” I’d been imagining doing that all night long. “Come on, let’s go. I want you all to myself.”

“But we’ll miss all the fireworks.”

“I’ll make you come so hard you’ll see plenty of fireworks.”

“Cocky bastard. Okay, let me just tell—”

“No, trust me, you don’t want to tell anyone.” I began leading her to one of the darkened corners.

“Why?”

“Because it’s tradition for the guests to then line up for the newly Bound couple to shake their hand.”

“That’s a bad thing?”

“Yes, because all the guys will kiss you, and all the women will kiss me; it’s an age-old thing that, dumb as it is, people still do − it’s supposed to get the blood running.” The only thing it would do was piss me off and make me contemplate who to kill first.

Her smile fell. “You’re right, then; I don’t want to tell anyone. Let’s just sneak away. But first…there’s a little someone I’d like to see.”

I didn’t need to ask who she was talking about. “We can do that tomorrow.”

“You want her gone, don’t you? If we do this now, you won’t have to spend one more second worrying about her. We can start our life as a Bonded couple without there being any loose ends that need tying up. She’ll be gone from our lives for good. Then we can concentrate on enjoying this night.”

Well, when she put it like that...“Okay, let’s go.”

“Wait, where’s Evan?”

I frowned. “Evan?”

“He’s still linked to her, remember. We need Chico to use his darts to put him unconscious for a while. That should help him skip the pain.”

Nodding, I led her to where Evan stood, laughing with a dark-haired Keja female – and being scowled at by Alora for it, who was sat with Bran not far away. “Magda,” was all I needed to say for him to understand.

“Sorry to ask you to leave the party early,” said Sam, “but we’d like to get this part over with.”

Evan held up his hand, smiling. “Hey, it’s okay. I want her dead as much as you both do. I want my link to her gone for good. That’s better than any party could be.”

“One of Chico’s darts will put you unconscious until it’s over.”

Evan kissed Sam on the cheek, still smiling. “Make it painful.” He then patted me on the back and headed for Chico.

Taking Sam’s hands, I teleported us to the main door of the containment cells beneath the large mansion. One of the guards slid open the door’s small window, saw it was us, and opened the door wide. Having exchanged nods with him, Sam and I followed Magda’s scent as we walked down the row of cells – all of which were constructed of unbreakable glass thanks to one of the vampires within the legion who had an affinity to glass and could shape and manipulate it.

Some of the cells were empty, and some contained weary looking vampires who clearly knew this was the end for them. Eventually we reached Magda’s cell. She was curled up on the floor, shaking, panting, sweating, and moaning. Brook was in the neighbouring cell, also huddled on the ground as Magda’s pain tormented him through their link.

Obviously having sensed us, she opened her eyes.

Sam smiled pleasantly. “Hurts like fuck, doesn’t it?”

“Fuck you, bitch,” hissed Magda, glaring at Sam with utter hatred in her bloodshot eyes.

“I’d like to call you the same thing, but you don’t have warmth and character.”

Magda’s eyes shot to me and there was a plea for mercy in them. Was she for real? When I snorted, she slid her gaze back to Sam, curling her upper lip. “He still cares for me.”

Sam cocked her head. “Not getting tired of this?”