Consumed

“Very.”

“Have they Bonded?”

Sam reluctantly bit out, “No.”

Gina’s expression turned calculating, and I barely held in a hiss of warning. My inner jealous harpy dug out her crossbow – she had an arrow with Gina’s name on it.

“But it’s only a matter of time,” added Sam, obviously trying to rile Gina.

Will shook his head. “Salem will never Bond with anyone.” It was an echo of my own thoughts.

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that. He’s very possessive of Ava.”

Gina tittered. “Salem’s possessive by nature; that means nothing. I know him inside out. Trust me, he will never fully commit himself to anyone.” It was said with approval, as if she was someone who didn’t believe in love or the need for commitment; perhaps saw those things as weaknesses. “If this girl thinks any differently, she’ll be massively disappointed.” The word ‘girl’ was spoken dismissively, like I was something to be pitied, like I was nothing – certainly no threat to her. “The girl is a delusional fool if she thinks she can hold onto Salem.”

Growls, hisses, and profanities sounded throughout the crowd behind me. I glanced at them over my shoulder, seeing then that Evan, Denny, Fletcher, and Norm had also joined us. “Relax,” I mouthed at the mass. It didn’t have any effect. Irises were glowing, a snarl was fixed on every single face, and they all appeared ready to pounce.

Jude had her beloved knife out, clearly desperate to slice the bitch up. Max was flexing his hand…as if barely resisting the urge to close his fist and temporarily deprive Gina of her senses. Hearing a high-pitched squeaking sound, I peered up to see a harpy eagle circling over us; I had to wonder if Alora – who had the ability to communicate with animals – had called it here, ready to sic it on Gina.

I turned around in time to hear Sam very bluntly ask Will, “Why are you here?”

He blinked. “You want information –”

“But you didn’t need to move here. That was your price, and I’m wondering why.”

“Who wouldn’t want to live in the most secure place on Earth for vampires?” Good point.

“Just remember that your stay here is conditional. If the information you have is worth shit to us, you’ll be leaving immediately.”

Will bowed slightly. “Understood. But I believe you’ll find my information very –” His sentence halted abruptly as, much like the rest of us, he heard a familiar sound: Salem’s voice. He was walking along the beach toward us with Reuben, coming from the direction of our apartment building; they had both showered and changed into fresh t-shirts and jeans.

One glance in our direction had Salem’s shoulders tensing. In a blink, he and Reuben had joined us.

“Salem, we’ve been waiting rather impatiently for you.” Will’s smile was wide and genuine.

Other vampires might have rushed over to their creator and greeted them warmly, but Salem wasn’t the gushy type. He simply nodded politely. “Will, Blythe.” As his attention shifted to the third Pagori, he frowned. “Gina.” His unwelcoming tone soothed my jealous harpy a little. As he took in the supportive group at my back, his frown deepened.

Arching a sardonic brow, Gina said, “Don’t I get a hug?” It was a provocation, a taunt.

Still, if he touched her at all, he was so dumped. And maimed.

Ignoring her, Salem came to my side, searching my eyes. “You okay?”

Maiming exercise cancelled. I gave him a winning smile. “Of course.” He curled an arm around me…and I watched as realisation hit the three visitors. Will and Blythe shifted uncomfortably. Gina, on the other hand, flushed a weird shade of purple – seeming both stunned and livid.

With an expression of total and utter joy, Sam spoke. “Glad you could join us, Salem. We didn’t get a chance to introduce her to them.”

Salem tightened his hold on me. “Will, Blythe, Gina” – her name was said with a frown again – “this is Ava.”

I turned my smile on Gina, adding a little self-satisfaction to it. “Or, as you put it, the delusional fool who thinks she can hold onto Salem.”

(Salem)

Shit.

You didn’t need to be someone who worked with psychic energy to sense the riot that was brewing. The air was snapped taut with tension, anger, and unease. Menace literally emanated from the residents of the island – particularly Ava and Sam.

Not the diplomatic type, I didn’t even bother attempting to defuse the situation. Instead, I stood there trying to work out what the fuck had happened to make two squads gather behind Ava; the act was both supportive and protective. Each individual looked ready to not only leap on Gina, but to literally fight for the pleasure of being the one to deliver the killing blow.

The expression on Ava’s face…it was one I’d seen on Sam’s face countless times when she’d dealt with Jared’s ex, Magda. Which had to mean three things: One, Ava knew Gina and I had history. Two, Ava was pissed about it. Three, Gina had blurted out some bullshit. Fuck.

Abashed, Will smiled at Ava. “I don’t suppose you could forgive our ignorance…? I would imagine that some of the things we said weren’t pleasant for you to hear.”

Will had blurted out bullshit too? What the fuck had they said?

The questions must have been clear on my face, because Jared’s voice was suddenly in my head. They basically called Ava – not knowing she was right there – stupid for thinking you’d ever fully commit to her. And they claimed there’s no way you’ll ever Bind yourself to anyone. You should know that Gina seems intent on getting into your pants.

I silently snorted. Like there was even the slightest chance of that ever happening.

“If we had known who you were,” began Blythe, “we would never have…”

“Talked so freely,” finished Ava, her smile bland. “That doesn’t change what you’re thinking.” In other words, apologies were pointless because they were nothing but efforts to placate her. Ava moved her attention to Gina then. “But there are some things you shouldn’t be thinking. Like whatever it was that made you look at Salem like he was living, breathing candy.”

Gina’s face hardened. “Don’t think you can –”