Crimson Warrior (Onyx Assassins 3)

“Speaking of hard questions,” Avi said, her smile deepening. “You know your parents place mates in the highest of honor.”

“They are my parents,” I said. “So, yes, I know that. Where is the question?”

Avi bit down on her lip, her eyes playful. I reached for the throw pillow on the sofa next to me, preparing for a throw.

“They’ll likely expect you to behave like mates,” she teased, and I offered her a silent, warning look. She ignored it. “You’ve seen those two,” she said, gesturing to Valor. “Not to mention my insufferable brother,” she said lovingly. “They’re all moony eyes and stolen breaths.”

The nerves tangling in my stomach tightened.

“What will kissing Ransom be like, I wonder?” she continued. “You’ve been friends for ages. Will it be like kissing a brother?” She scrunched her nose and shook her head. Valor snorted, and I tossed the throw pillow at her. She caught it with an ethereal grace only she could manage.

“I can’t wait to hear all about it,” she teased, tucking the pillow behind her head.

I rolled my eyes. “When you do hear from me, my dear friend, it will be to update you on the progress of the Hunters’ awakening. There will be absolutely nothing else to tell.” Sure, she was right. We’d have to pretend to be mates in front of my parents, but that wouldn’t be the same as actually being mates. We won’t be driven mad by the ancient, primal need to be with the other. We’ll still be Ransom and Olivia, friends, mentor/student, sometimes battle-weary companions. Nothing more.

“How long do you think it will take for them to…wake up?” Valor asked.

I glanced at her, hesitating. She had earned my trust long before she and Lachlan had accepted their mating bond, but even if she hadn’t, the bond alone would be enough for me to know she could be trusted with crucial information like this. Her bond with Lachlan wouldn’t allow her to betray us, not that I believed for a second she would anyway.

“I’m not exactly sure,” I answered honestly. “My mother is the awakening expert. I’m sure she’ll be more than happy to assist once she sees her dreams come true.”

“Her dream was for you to be mated?” Valor asked, eyebrows drawn.

“It’s sort of…” How could I explain it best? “My family, all the way back to our origin ancestors, value the mating bond above all other roles or duties in life. They believe it only strengthens the vampire, enhances their abilities, and don’t even get me started on the children.” I blew out a breath. Vampire children were rare and precious, yes, but that wasn’t my path. Not now, at least.

“Wow,” Valor said, shaking her head. I saw the familiar look in her eyes, the connection she wouldn’t voice. Her family, the Sons of Honor, operated on a similar thought process—marry and breed to enhance the family lines. But my family was nothing like the Sons. They were good to their core. They just had a strictly different set of beliefs than I did.

I glanced at the time on my cell. “Almost time for the flight,” I said, rising from my chair. Avi mimicked my movement, while Valor and Daphne—still enraptured with her book—remained in the corner as Avi walked me to her door. Giving us the privacy we needed.

“Avi,” I said, my throat tightening. I swallowed around the lump. “Please stay out of trouble while I’m gone.”

She laughed, the sound tinkling and silvery. “I never go looking for trouble,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Just because I want to have fun every now and then—”

“I know,” I said, cutting her off. “But I haven’t been away from you since I was assigned as your guard.”

Her eyes softened, and she gently clutched my shoulders. “I know,” she said, drawing me into a hug. “And I will miss you. Miss my friend,” she emphasized. “But this mission takes precedence over hanging out with me every night. Besides,” she said, shrugging. “I’ve got Valor.” She nodded her direction, and Valor gave a little wave. “And the Order. Not to mention everyone else in this palace.”

I nodded, some of that tension easing.

“You should try to enjoy yourself,” she said as she released me, and it was my turn to laugh.

“I’m not going on vacation.” Far from it. This would be the hardest mission of my life, and I’d had plenty of near-death experiences before.

“I know,” she said. “But you haven’t visited home in decades. Despite the…tension there, it will be good to see your family.”

I knew she was right, in part. I missed my family—my parents, my sisters, my niece. But the web of lies I’d woven? It was enough to smother any excitement I may feel about returning home. Plus, the looming war and the need to wake the Hunters didn’t help lift my spirits either. But waking them, that was a mission worth any suffering I had to endure to accomplish it. They would be invaluable to winning this war and ushering in another reign of peace.