Faye watched as she greedily devoured the liquid and glanced at David, who wasn’t touching his container of blood. “Drink.”

He reached for the carton and pushed it toward Kathryn. “Kathryn can have mine.”

Surprised at his selflessness, Faye sucked in a shallow breath. “There’s more.” She retrieved another carton of blood from the refrigerator and handed it to the skinny older vampire.

David cast her a grateful smile and finally accepted the blood. Faye waited patiently until he’d had his fill. What horrors had these two endured to cause them to flee their clan? She looked at the girl. Now that her cheeks filled with color again, Faye could see that she was pretty. She closed her eyes for a moment, recalling the horrors she herself had experienced. Wanting to comfort the girl, she put her hand on her forearm, but Kathryn shrieked and jerked back, jumping up from her chair in panic.

“I’m sorry,” Faye said quickly.

David stood up and slowly walked to the girl, who seemed frightened beyond comprehension.

“Everything is all right, little one,” he coaxed and drew her into his arms. Then he looked over his shoulder. “I’m sorry, she doesn’t trust anyone but me.”

With pity in her heart, Faye looked at the girl. “What happened?”

Slowly, David led the girl back to the table and they both sat down. “The different factions in Mississippi are committing terrible acts. Those who try to flee and are captured are defanged, trying to prevent them from escaping again.” He opened his mouth wide.

Faye recoiled, slapping her hand over her mouth. Where the vampire’s fangs should be were gaping holes. “Oh, my God!” No wonder the two of them were starving. Without fangs they couldn’t hunt for blood. They were dependent on handouts.

“They make sure the fangs don’t grow back during our restorative sleep by implanting a pea-sized ball of steel. It’s covered with a tiny spec of silver, just enough so the wound will never heal.”

“What is this?” a male voice suddenly thundered from the door.

Faye’s gaze shot to him, as did those of her guests. Baltimore, Abel’s personal guard, filled the entire door frame and glared at her, his finger pointing at the empty containers of blood.

David and Kathryn had already jumped up from the table and retreated into the far corner of the kitchen. Faye now rose from her chair, slowly and deliberately. She wouldn’t allow Baltimore to intimidate her.

“None of your business,” she shot back. “Get out!”

But the bully didn’t heed her warning and stepped inside the kitchen. “I see, we’re handing out blood again.” He motioned to the two needy vampires. “We have nothing for you here, do you understand? Go begging someplace else!” He took another step.

Faye jumped in his path. “Leave them alone. I can give them as much blood as I want to! Your intimidation tactics aren’t working!”

He narrowed his eyes at her and growled. “You fucking bitch!”

When he grabbed her and pushed her back against the table, she was utterly unprepared for the assault.

“Abel forbids it!” Baltimore lifted his arm again to strike.

Faye jerked her leg up to knee him in the balls, but hit air when the hulky vampire was pulled back and tumbled. When he fell backward, her eyes fell on the man behind him: Cain, his fangs extended and murder in his eyes.

“Abel is not the king! I am!” Cain tackled Baltimore and pinned him to the ground, a silver knife pointed at his jugular. “You touch my bride one more time, and you’ll find yourself with a stake in the heart.”

Cain pressed the knife closer to the other vampire’s skin, making it sizzle. The scent of burned hair and flesh permeated the kitchen.

“And now, you’re going to get up and leave my property. If I ever lay eyes on you again, you’ll regret it.”

Cain jumped up and waited until Baltimore got to his feet. His jaw clenched tightly, he glared at Cain, then glanced past him at Faye. The threat in his look was clear. He blamed her for his fate and would harm her first chance he got. Only when Baltimore turned and left the room did Faye pull in a breath. Only now Cain’s words truly sank in. He’d called her his bride. Did this mean he still wanted her after all, or had he simply used the term to make his point with Baltimore?

Cain turned to her, crossing the distance between them with two steps, and looked her up and down. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

She’d endured much worse. “I’m fine.” She studied his face, when a soft smile curved his lips upward.