Crimson Born - Amy Patrick Page 0,43

that night as well.

Instead of having a daughter to rule by her side, she could have a son.

Or a mate.

I couldn’t let that happen. Reece didn’t want to stay here. And he didn’t know Imogen like I did.

If he took part in that ceremony and succeeded in turning a human with a single bite, she would never let him go.

I left the clinic and headed for the main common area, asking people along the way if they’d seen Kannon and the other Bloodbound.

When I finally spotted the squad of warriors, I picked up my pace. I needed to find out where they’d taken Reece. If he was out there alone in the world, I’d go after him.

If he was with Imogen... well I didn’t know what I’d do.

Reaching the group, I went directly to Kannon. He looked surprised to see me.

“Hi. I thought you’d be at the cathedral with Kelly and Heather. Weren’t you looking forward to the concert?”

I didn’t have the time or the inclination to explain myself. I had to find Reece before he got too far away.

“Where did you take him?” I demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me he was being banished?”

“Who? Reece? I—”

Kannon’s response was interrupted by another voice coming from behind me. It sent literal chills down my spine.

“Hello Abbi.”

Reece.

I whirled around and did a double-take. Not only was he still here—and looking healthier than ever—he was dressed like one of the Bloodbound.

His uniform was a bit different from the others with a short sleeved leather tunic worn over a black shirt instead of a full-length jacket but still, it was definitely a uniform.

Slim-fitting leather pants, leather boots with laces and buckles, heavy leather shoulder protectors held on by a leather harness. What was going on?

“You’re still here.” I stated the obvious, still reeling in shock.

“Yes. I’ve decided to stay at the Bastion.”

“And join the Bloodbound?” I whirled to face Kannon. “You recruited him?”

He held his hands up in a defensive posture. “I’m only following Imogen’s orders. She said to offer him a job, so I offered him a job.”

Turning back to Reece, I studied his stoic expression. “Could I speak with you a moment—in private?”

I tugged him to the side and lowered my voice. “What are you thinking? Do you have any idea what it means to be Bloodbound? I thought you wanted to leave.”

He shrugged, his face a complete blank. “I had a conversation with Imogen—she stopped by the clinic. I’ve started to see that ‘value in community’ you were talking about.”

“You don’t have to do this. We can find a community somewhere else. We can leave tonight.” I lifted my packed bag to show him. “I went to the clinic just now to get you so we could leave together.”

“And go where?” he said in a tired sounding tone. “To your village, which threw you out? To my hometown where everyone’s afraid of me?”

“No. We can live anywhere we want to. Or nowhere. We can travel together and see the world.”

For a moment I thought I detected a hint of longing in his eyes. It must have been my imagination, though, because the next words out of his mouth were harsh and derisive.

“Wake up, Abbi. That’s a fantasy. We can’t make it on our own. You haven’t been out there in the world like I have. And things are getting worse for vampires by the day. If you’re not clanned-up, you’re dead. Besides... it’s too late.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve made a commitment to start training as a Bloodbound. This is my life now.”

All the air left my lungs in a whoosh. He was really serious about this. “Why? Why would you do that?”

He shrugged, sounding blasé. “I needed a job.”

“It’s not just a job, Reece. It’s a way of life. The requirements... Kannon told me about the vows—community before self, obeying orders without question... never taking a mate.”

I swallowed hard, blushing over the last word. “Are you really okay with all that?”

His jaw hardened, his answer slipping out between stiff, barely moving lips.

“It’s better than the alternative.”

Oof. That one hit me like a punch to the gut. There was no other way to take it. Because the alternative was me.

Without my permission, tears sprang to my eyes. “Would it really have been that terrible to be with me? To be my mate?”

Reece’s dark-rimmed eyes maintained blazing contact with my own for a long stretch of seconds.

Then he turned and walked back toward his company, throwing parting words over his shoulder like a