“They’re not above killing any of us. Do you really think they’ll be satisfied with your marriage to Gavin? Roz, they’re going to chain you up and drain you after they make you their breeding bitch so they can have more of our blood. They’re just like Grandfather.”
I winced. Our father had killed the king for trying the very same thing with Mother. If he hadn’t, none of us would exist.
“Gavin doesn’t seem as bad as the rest of them. He came to my rescue when I fell.”
“Is that what you’re calling it? He also took your blood without your consent. He probably spent the day strolling in the sunlight because of you. Did you think about that? I’ve heard things about him, Roz. Dark things. He’s the worst of the lot.”
That made me laugh. West was nearly as sheltered as I; what could he possibly have heard that I hadn’t? “Such as?”
“He has... dark inclinations.”
“Inclinations? West, he’s a vampire. He feeds on blood. Of course he’s got dark appetites. That comes with the territory.”
My brother reached out and grabbed my wrist. “No, you aren’t listening. He’s sick. Twisted. He can’t get off without hurting his partners. He...” West huffed out a breath before blurting, “He’s a murderer, Roslyn.”
“And that’s supposed to deter me? Our parents are murderers, our brother too. I challenge you to find a single vampire in our vicinity who hasn’t killed at least once.” I shot him a pointed look, knowing it was a low blow.
“Roz, you still don’t get it. If he could do that, hurt someone he’s supposed to care about, what do you think he’s going to do to hiswife? You will have little to no protection from him. He will hurt you. Demean and debase you. You’re too good and pure for the likes of him.”
If I was so pure, why did a spark of dangerous interest ignite somewhere in the darkest part of me at the mention of Gavin having his way with me? “You don’t have a say in this, brother. It’s already done.” I snapped my suitcase closed to emphasize the point. “I leave in an hour.”
“You could run. It’s not too late. I’d cover for you. We could call that hacker Noah spoke with. Asher something.”
Little did my baby brother know I’d already looked into Asher Henry the second my brother placed his trust in the man. I found every scrap of information that existed about him, which wasn’t much, but I bet it was still more than most knew. Asher wasn’t the only one skilled at ferreting out secrets.
“I’m not running, West. I chose this.”
He deflated a little, looking more boy than man for the first time in years. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“That’s part of living, sweet brother. You can’t keep me in a bubble.”
“Father would if he could.”
“So would Noah.”
“Then I’ll step aside and let you be free.”
He surprised me then, standing and pulling me into his arms. He was still all lanky limbs and wiry muscle, but in a few more years, he’d reach full maturity and stop aging at his peak physical self. I wondered if I’d be around to see it. Something told me becoming a Donoghue meant leaving my Blackthorne side in the past.
I held him tight, a wave of emotion hitting me hard, sending tears to my eyes as I breathed in his scent.
“I’ll be fine. I promise.”
“If you’re not, I swear I will burn them to the ground.”
“Of course you will. That is the Blackthorne way.”
He clung to me a little tighter. “I’ll miss you, Roz.”
“I’ll miss you too. Try not to worry too much, West. The Apocalypse is nigh. So if things really do go tits up, at least I won’t have to suffer for long.”
It was callous to joke about everything my brother and his mate were dealing with, but in the grand scheme of things, wasn’t it far worse to be the harbinger of the end times than the wife of a wicked vampire lord?
It had to be... right?
ChapterFour
ROSIE