Bite Shift

19

I pushed him away and jumped to my feet, keeping my eyes on the man that I had been falling in love with. Or lust. I thought, more accurately. He had lied to me. But, had he? He never said his name and I never asked.

Should I curtsey? Fuck that! That ship had sailed right around the time I started to imagine dry humping him in the woods.

I dropped to my knee next to Rhys. I wasn't sure why; it was an impulse. What I had wanted to do was slap his face but I reminded myself that this man could send me hundreds of miles away from Ellie and Olivia. I was scared and pissed and nervous. So, I dropped to one knee.

"Men kneel," Rhys whispered but it was too late. Sorin was laughing and I was already on my knee in the grass.

"Stand up." Sorin told them, through the laughter. "She was an excellent choice, Rhys. You did well."

What did he just say?! Rhys rested his hand on my back in warning but it was lost on me. I stood up and locked eyes with Sorin.

"Don't talk about me like something he found at a yard sale and got for a great deal. And, for the record, I don't like to be tricked."

Sorin raised both eyebrows. It was clear he had not expected me to speak, let alone talk back in such a way. I figured every woman he knew either cleaned for him, worshipped him, shared his bed or all of the above. I instantly regretted my stupid temper and wished I could take it back. Since I couldn't, I chose to stand my ground and continued.

"You should have told me who you were so I would have known how to act."

Sorin stood and was, at least, five or six inches taller than my 5'8". It felt like much more. My head began to swim. It was like riding up in an elevator to the highest part of a skyscraper and stepping out into a new altitude. His power rolled up and down my body, over my arms, into my stomach and out of my ears. Don't you faint, Katherine. Stay upright and don't let him see you sway.

"If, my dear Kate, I had told you who I was you would have acted the way you were instructed to. This way I was able to see you as you are. I felt you; your emotions, your intentions, your soul. I need to know who I am bringing among my people. I do not apologize for being careful. There were no tricks here. It was as honest as it could have ever been."

The power pulled back and left me shaking. Every cell in my body reached out for his and grieved for the loss of that power inside me. I felt like my organs would die without him. My brain begged for me to step towards him and offer myself.

I stood strong, fighting the impulse.

"I know you, Kate. I know you, now, better than anyone else. And, I thank you for your honesty. Not many would have told me the things you have told me this night. You may stay in Pittsburgh. Rhys will teach you all that you need to know, explain our laws and bring you to me when it is time to check in. I will protect you in this city and my home is yours whenever you need it. In return, I ask for your pledge to me."

Rhys was suddenly next to me and had my hand in his. I hadn't noticed him stand or known when he took my hand but I was thankful. His grip held me steady and helped me to clear my head.

"What pledge?"

In response, Sorin lifted his hands towards Rhys. I turned to face my maker and he took my other hand in his.

"I am your maker, Katherine. I brought you into darkness and in this darkness, I will lead you. Your fate is entwined in mine. Your survival entwined in mine. Will you vow to follow my teachings, follow our law and submit to my authority?"

The look in his eye was clear. Do not screw around. This is serious.

"Of course, Rhys."

Sorin took my hand from Rhys's and turned me to him. My other hand let go of my maker's without thought, and found its place in his. With each one of my hands in his, the desire returned. My stomach flipped. My heartbeat sped up. My face flushed. My breasts ached. It took everything I had to not move into him until we were pressed together. Stop it. This guy is a dick. You do not want him. It is not real, Kate. It's the vampire lust thing, like Rhys said.