“Leave us,” Talon told Sable.“I would have left ten minutes ago if I could have,” the vampire grumbled.The vines fell away from Sable but I didn’t command them. When Sable was gone, Talon stared at my nakedness. Flames roared in his eyes. For a moment, I was frightened.“You are The Promised and yes, I dreamed of you as you dreamed of me.” He sounded angry and my fear was replaced with irritation.He didn’t mention my dreams of the werewolf and I’d be damned if I would.Talon walked closer and his hand reached out. His fingers brushed along my throat to the top of my breast. My heart rate accelerated and now it was desire replacing irritation.“I want you too,” he said. “Your call is so strong it’s impossible to resist.”“Then why resist?” I asked huskily. The anger was completely gone at his words. I wanted him and I was past embarrassment.“You need a day,” he said like it was a forgone conclusion that I would sleep with him. And dammit, he was right. “Your power is stabilizing an

Ode waited for me to eat and then change clothes. I came from the bedroom in jeans and a tank top. I carried my sword but placed it on the couch.Ode went to the center of the room and sat cross-legged on the floor. With his short arms and legs, I was surprised he made it look so simple. I sat across from him.“You must breathe deeply to gather your energy,” he said. “Close your eyes and try to see the colors. It will become easier with time.”“Do you have this energy?” I asked. “Is that why you know what I need to do?”“I hold a very small part of your magic. I was born knowing how to teach you.”“Do all the guttybrew know this?”“No. Like Talon, I was given a place in the prophecy. Because of it, my power is slightly stronger than other guttybrew but nothing like yours.”I closed my eyes and breathed deeply as he requested. The colors began spiraling behind my eyelids. I opened them and saw the colors in the room.“That is your power,” Ode said. “You must pull it into you. Think of

It had taken me a long time to prepare so it was only an hour before Ode came to get me. I kept forgetting to check the door and see if I could leave on my own. This time he knocked and didn’t enter until I opened the door and my question was answered.I could have worked with my sword in the garden to kill some of the time instead of allowing my nerves to get to the snapping point. I would definitely take advantage the following day. The need to burn off energy was almost overwhelming.“My lady,” Ode said with a slow nod of his head.“Ode,” I replied. I had to walk through that door and go to Talon. I was suddenly terrified.Ode placed his arm out, which shocked me and at the same time gave me the courage to move forward. We stepped together toward the cozy dining room. After the first fifty feet, I forgot I was wearing heels. The dress slinked down my body. I wore nothing beneath it.We passed a male vampire and he bowed to me. He wasn’t as gorgeous as Talon, but he was still incred

The power surge detonated out of me and Talon took it along with my blood. I throbbed where we were intimately joined and his strokes grew more rapid. My heels dug into his ass as he took and took and took.There was no way to describe what was happening. I was completely undone, completely consumed, and completely his. With a final arch of his hips, he came. A groan thundered from his throat to meet my cry. My entire body vibrated beneath his. His skin was cool and mine hot as our breathing settled.I smoothed my hands over his back and unlocked my legs.His mouth covered mine again and I tasted blood and my desire. He pulled away and lifted his weight slightly so I could breathe.I looked into his eyes.“Mine. My mate.” I repeated the words he’d said because it seemed right.He rolled to the side and took me with him so we lay facing each other.“Thank you for this gift,” he said.My hand traveled between his legs and I took him in my hand. He was half-erect.“Mine is a gift that ke

My fairy-tale relationship with Talon lasted for two months.I stepped into a room I was unfamiliar with and Conner was sitting on his throne. He was shirtless and wore black leather pants that conformed to his body. His muscles bunched when he saw me and then rippled when he stood.The people surrounding him departed and I walked forward until we were a few feet apart. He didn’t smile as he had in the past. A rumbling noise sounded from his throat.“You are mine,” he snarled. The words held so much power, I almost went to my knees. It was a different energy than Talon’s, wild and completely untamed. It traveled over my skin and I thrilled at the feel, but I told him the truth.“No,” I said. “I belong to Talon.”We were suddenly standing inches apart.“You are mine,” he repeated with a growl, breathing the words against my lips. He kissed me.Conner drank my power much as Talon had and I couldn’t fight him. I wasn’t sure I wanted to. I’d closed my eyes when his lips met mine and when