It shone a weak dribble of light on the man smiling down at her.
No. Not man.
Nightwalker.
“It is I,” he said smoothly, gesturing at his chest. Like that night at Bloodlust, he wore his blonde hair styled, his body poured into an expensively tailored suit with another dark red shirt underneath the jacket. Then, in case she’d forgotten, he added, “Julian. Your betrothed.”
“I… I remember.” Shea reached down, grabbing the end of her blanket, yanking it up to her chin. “How did you get in here? My door was locked. Wards up and everything.”
He waved his hand. “Witch wards. Please. Child’s play.”
So this powerful Nightwalker could walk through her wards like they didn’t exist? Add that to the list of things that weren’t common knowledge about his type of vampire. She’d always been taught that vamps needed to be offered an invitation before they could step foot inside someone’s home.
Obviously not.
“What… what are you doing here?”
He pursed his lips, a staged expression. “Didn’t Rafe tell you to expect me? The first blood exchange is done. You’ve recovered nicely, darling. Got the color back in your cheeks and everything. I can’t wait for a sip.”
She squeaked, her hand flying to her neck as if that could stop him.
He looked amused when he saw her reaction. “If only. Tonight, I’ve come to give, not to take. It’s time we strengthen our bond.”
Any hope she had that she might be able to get in touch with Julian, explain her situation, offer her apologies, and beg to be released from her pledge vanished when she caught him watching her closely.
Trembling against her pillows, she whispered, “Why me? Why does it have to be me?”
“Don’t you know? Blood to one of my kind is like diamonds to yours. We want it. Love it. Crave it. It gives us purpose, but it also gives us strength. The more powerful it is, too, the more powerful it can make me. Think of it as fuel. Humans? Bah. Regular grade, if that.
“Now, you,” he continued, his gaze unblinking as he watched her frantic chest rise and fall from beneath her covers. She could clamp her mouth shut to keep from panting in fear, but her heart pumping like a piston was a dead giveaway—and Julian obviously liked it. “A witch with powers like yours—”
“I don’t have any powers. You walked through my wards like they were made of cobwebs, remember?”
“Mm. So you say. Remember, though, I’ve tasted your blood. You’re more than powerful enough to be my queen. As soon as the blood exchanges are complete and I can bond you to me, we’ll rule all of Grayson together.”
“Is that why you’re here?” she asked, her voice shaky. “Because you want one city?”
“Grayson is only the start of our revolution. Consider it a favor for a… mm… friend. She wanted to destroy Grayson. I wanted to find a mate and start my family. We all win this way.”
Not all.
The humans didn’t.
The discarded donors didn't.
Grayson PD?
Nope.
And Colton—
“Why are you telling me this? Aren’t you afraid that I’ll run and tell someone what you’re planning?”
“Why? Because you’re my betrothed. There will be no secrets between us. Ask me anything. I vow I’ll only tell you the truth.”
There was only one thing she wanted to know and that was how to get him to leave her alone.
Well, no. Since she was pretty sure that wasn’t going to happen—he broke into her apartment while she was sleeping to get to her—there was one other thing she wanted to ask.