He seemed to consider that for a moment. “So what you’re saying is that it’s a matter of finding the right person?”

I shrugged, thinking it was kind of strange to be giving advice to a guy that I’d happily strangle. “Maybe.”

“Like fate?”

“I’m not sure if I really believe in that, but, yeah, I guess − taking into account the large population − there’s a probability that each person’s going to have someone who’s well suited to them. Just because you’re a prick doesn’t mean there isn’t someone out there who won’t find that a problem,” I added, smiling.

He laughed. “You’re a prick, too, you know.”

“I know. But I wouldn’t hurt Sam. You don’t need to protect her from me, and you should note that it pisses me off when you try.”

“I’m not protective of her because I want her. She’s someone I look up to, who I admire, who’s given me a lot of the strengths that I have. I treated her badly at the beginning, and then again when she got together with you. I feel like I owe her for all of that, for who I am now, but it’s hard to give something back to someone who’s ten times more powerful than you.”

Yeah, I got that. “The thing is…if you tried to repay her for anything, she’d tell you that she doesn’t give to receive and then she’d bitch-slap you. Believe me, I know.”

He chuckled. “You’re probably right.” He went to leave but then turned back. “Whether you believe me or not, I am happy for you guys.”

“Good. It means I don’t have to slit your throat.”

Rolling his eyes, he waved and left.

It was a moment later that Sam returned to the kitchen. “That was Antonio,” she said, hopping onto the bar stool to finish her cereal. “He was just letting me know what rumours he’s let circulate that will explain to everyone why I’m suddenly so strong. They’re all now under the impression that a few weeks ago, as a reward for defending The Hollow, he had used his gift of bestowing power on me so that I could develop another gift. The general belief is that this has finally manifested itself by simply making my present gifts and qualities stronger.”

I had to give Antonio full points for his creativity and quick thinking. “People are buying it, without question?”

“He said it seems that people don’t particularly care why I’m suddenly so strong; they’re only interested insofar as it means I’m capable of protecting them. Some had wondered about the mercury ring to my irises, apparently, but Antonio had suggested to them that my having a large amount of power inside me was bound to be visible in some way.”

“I suppose they’re likely to believe it, since they have no reason to think Antonio would lie to them.”

“He said the same thing. I think he feels bad about it and I can understand that, but they can’t know the truth.”

“They won’t. Besides, the brothers will be found soon enough and then they’ll return you to the way you were.”

“You don’t like my new qualities?” she teased.

“I like all your qualities, but I don’t like anything that puts you in danger.”

“Good, because this Keja allure has the potential to severely piss me off.”

Same here, since the ogling would now be worse than it already was. Not that Sam realised just how much people drooled over her. But I’d sure as hell noticed, and I’d sure as hell…strongly suggested…that they didn’t do it again. “People are going to wonder about the Keja allure, too.”

“Antonio’s already on top of that. He told everyone that the new mesmerising effect was a Binding gift from one of the many vampires in his bloodline. No one’s going to question that either − the ability to impart bewitching glamour isn’t an uncommon gift to have.”

True enough. One of Magda’s vampires had had that very gift and had used it on her, which had been the main reason why she had been able to have me so infatuated with her once-upon-a-time. It was probably why Brook was so infatuated with her, too. On that topic…“You’re sure I can’t convince you to banish Magda back to the hole she crawled out of?”

Sam shook her head. “Nope. I think I’ve proven that I don’t need protecting from her. So drop it.”

I shrugged unrepentantly. “I told you, baby, I’ll always try to protect you, even though I know you’re perfectly capable of protecting yourself.” Watching her lick a stray cornflake from her spoon, I couldn’t help feeling a little jealous of that particular piece of cutlery right then. As if she sensed that, an impish grin surfaced on her face. “You’re a tease. Do you know that?”

She copied my unrepentant shrug. “It’s not my fault you’re a randy bastard with a one-track mind.”

“Come on, let’s get ready for tonight’s entertainment. I have a feeling you’re going to love it.”

(Sam)

At any other time, I would have been seriously irritated by the way my previous non-supporters were suddenly giving me respectful nods or admiring smiles – of course I was glad to be finally accepted as the last thing I wanted was for Jared to have to step down from his position as Heir, but it was annoying to know that I was around such two-faced, fickle people. One demonstration of power and they all wanted us to be chums. I don’t bloody think so.

But at this moment, I didn’t give a shit. As Jared had predicted, I was loving tonight’s entertainment. I’d always wanted to go to a Caribbean street party, so this was an absolute treat for me. Jared also seemed to be truly enjoying himself as the colourful floats and parades wound through the streets of The Hollow, lending an extraordinary level of energy to the evening. It was even affecting Dexter: his tattoo form was slinking around and I could sense how stimulated and animated he was feeling.

Live music, torch lights, and flamboyant, vibrant, feathery costumes all added to the feel of the evening. The atmosphere was light and fun, made all the more better by the smells of various Caribbean delicacies that were being prepared at each of the food booths − all of which were delicious by anyone’s standards. There were also craft tents and game stalls, as well as the occasional sideshow.

Every single resident of The Hollow was allowed to be part of the celebrations. And they really were celebrating the Binding now that I’d been totally accepted. Just like the masqueraders, they all practically danced their way along the streets, going from stall to stall, and tanking themselves up on food and rum flavoured NSTs.

With our bodies meshed together, swaying sensually to the rhythm of the music currently playing, Jared and I watched the parade in total awe. Taking the hand that I’d had curled around his neck, he held it in front of him, turning it this way and that way, admiring the speckles of energy that dripped from my fingers like fairy dust.

“I think it’s because of how hectic the night is,” I told him. “So much positive energy around us.” I shaped it into a silvery-blue energy ball, surprised by how substantial it looked. Curious, I told Jared, “Hold out your hand.”

His brows arched in surprise, but he did as I’d asked. Carefully, I rolled the ball onto the palm of his hand. Rather than immediately disintegrating as it should have done since Jared wasn’t a Feeder, it remained in shape.

Jared jerked his head back. “Wow. Does the energy always buzz against your skin like that?”

I smiled. “Yep. Feels odd, but nice, doesn’t it?”

He smiled in agreement, watching with me as the ball stayed as it was for a good ten seconds before visibly weakening, until it sort of winked out.

“My whip’s stronger as well.”

“Which means it will hurt more. That would be a good thing if you didn’t use it on me.”

“Let me have my way in all things and I’ll never have to.”

His snort told me that that would never happen. But then, things would be boring if it did.

I smelt the High Master Vampire before he tapped my shoulder. Swerving around, I felt my eyebrows fly up as Ricardo and his consort bowed their heads respectfully. I repeat, respectfully. “Are you taking the piss?”

Ignoring my question, Ricardo spoke in a courteous tone. “I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge last night. That was an impressive display of power. I have to say, it was quite ruthless of you to toy with Magda and allow her to believe she was winning the duel for a while. I admire that.”

“So you’re staying for the ceremony?”

He cocked his head. “In all honesty, I think that I would have stayed regardless. You may be, by far, the least polite person I have ever met, but I strangely find myself liking you.”

Oddly enough, I was quite happy about that. Although Ricardo hadn’t exactly been friendly at any point, I didn’t dislike him. He had been looking out for his bloodline, and that wasn’t something I could fault him for. In fact, it was a shame that all vampires weren’t like that. I’d certainly have appreciated it if Victor had been like that. “You know something? I like you too, Rick.”

His smile shrunk slightly. “It is Ricardo.”

“Right, that’s what I said.”

It was at that moment that Bran, Connelly, Kaiser, Rowan, and Marcia approached. Oh joy.

Connelly smiled affectionately at us. “I do not wish to anger you,” he said to Jared, “but it is impossible not to comment on how beautiful the mercury glow is.”

Well of course my irises were glowing – Jared had been grinding against me for the past half hour as we swayed, whispering sensual promises into my ear, so it was hardly surprising that I was horny. I wasn’t impressed by the fact that my arousal would be so easily evident to others. I could now relate to the plight of blokes and how they were unable to hide their arousal.

Jared laughed at Connelly’s comment. “I can’t blame you for that.”

“Yes, it is very unique,” said Bran. “I have to wonder if it was wise of Antonio to bestow power onto someone who was already extremely strong.”

Kaiser grunted his agreement. “Does it feel uncomfortable to have such an immense quantity of power inside you? Does it make you feel bloated?”

I shook my head. “It feels kind of…uplifting.”

Rowan spoke then. “I admit to feeling placated now that I have seen just what you can do.”

I snorted. “Forgive me if I’m not bowled over by the comment, considering you’ve been a bit of an arse.”

His mouth twitched into a smile. Not an ugly smile, but still self-satisfied and slightly mischievous. “But − as it turned out − it wasn’t anything you couldn’t handle, was it?”

Seeing that Marcia’s smile matched his, I realised something. “You two had been baiting me, hadn’t you? You’d wanted me to lose control, to show you my gifts?”

Marcia jiggled her head. “That was partly the motive. But it was also important for us to see if you would easily turn on your own kind. In the past, leaders have ruled by instilling fear − punishing anyone who disagreed with their decisions or dared to question them. We want to feel comfortable voicing our thoughts, want that assurance that we will be heard and not punished.”

That I could understand. Antonio ruled in such a way, and it had always worked. Everyone respected him for it.

“You gave as good as you got,” continued Marcia, “but you did not physically harm any of us. That spoke volumes about what kind of leader you would be.”

Huh. “I still think you’re a bit of a snob.”

Marcia laughed, sounding delighted. “Not something I haven’t heard before. Much like you, I do not believe in changing who I am to suit other people.”

That was something I could respect. Having exchanged nods with both Jared and me, the five vampires walked away.

“Since I arrived at The Hollow, I’ve been constantly tested one way or another,” I griped to Jared.

He smiled. “You think it was any different for me? Although I’d passed the try-outs and earned a spot in the legion, I hadn’t been promoted to commander straight away. That came later, and it hadn’t been easy. I wasn’t appointed as Heir until after I’d intercepted a direct attack on Antonio − twice. I hadn’t expected him to give me that position in a million years. There are lots of vampires in the legion who are older than me and have served him a hell of a lot longer than I have. Everyone was curious as to why he would select me. They knew I was powerful, but that hadn’t been enough for them to be comfortable with me.”

“So they tested you?”

“Yep, just like they tested you. They were rude, they were patronising, and they repeatedly goaded me. One of them even challenged me. Not like Magda challenged you. No, they challenged me for my position. That was something I wasn’t prepared to lose.”

“Who?” I’d kill the twat.

“You haven’t met him, because he’s dead.”

Oh, good.

“He was a very old, very powerful, very well-known vampire, but I won. And I ensured that I made a spectacle of this bastard who had been a huge problem for Antonio over the years − no swift, clean death. I fought fairly, but I didn’t make it quick and painless. And no one forgot that. They didn’t want a leader who was dishonourable, but nor did they want one who gave mercy to those who didn’t deserve it. You did that very same thing to Magda, and no one will ever forget that either.”

Hearing my name being called, I turned my head. My eyes widened when I noticed two very familiar faces dancing on one of the floats passing us, waving like crazy. “Oh dear God.”