The second their skin made contact, she snapped hers back, gasping.
Rynn exclaimed and quickly leaned into Briggs, who wrapped an arm around her.
Oh yeah, she saw it—Rynn’s traumatic night.
“Poor thing,” Zia said to me.
“I know.”
Zia reached back out to Rynn, the sadness was very prevalent in her eyes. She leaned forward and whispered something in Rynn’s ear.
Rynn listened, then her expression turned to one of shock. “You can do that?”
Zia nodded. “My magic allows me that gift.”
Rynn was thoughtful for a moment, looked at Briggs curiously, then said, “No, I don’t want you to erase the memory.” Zia smiled softly, then leaned back in, whispering in her ear once again. A moment later, she met Rynn’s eyes, who looked hopeful. “Now that is something I would want.”
Zia gave her arm a little squeeze and pain filled Rynn’s face. Briggs tensed immediately, looking ready to intervene. Rynn grasped his arm, obviously sensing his tension, but when she opened her eyes again, she looked peaceful.
Slowly, Rynn glanced away from Briggs to look at Zia. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Zia moved her hand Rynn’s arm and cupped her cheek. “I hope that gives you some peace, Rynn.”
I examined them, as did everyone else, wondering what the hell she’d done to her. If she didn’t want her to erase the memory than what was she doing?
Zia glanced to me and winked.
Part of me wanted to be a nosy parker, the other part knew better. I left it alone though, knowing whatever she’d done was personal and none of my business.
Abruptly, I felt a poke on my shoulder. I spun around to see Zennah looking fabulous. Kyden’s ex was one hot chick. I was envious of her Kate Beckinsale beauty.
Zennah glanced at Kyden, gave him a soft nod, then looked back to me. “I heard of your acceptance to bond with Kyden and…well…” She hesitated, then finally said, “I just wanted to say congrats.”
Wow! What a shock. The bitch actually had something nice to say. “Er…thank you.” It was actually really nice coming from her. It had taken some time and effort for things to improve between us. We would never be best friends, but at least we weren’t sworn enemies.
Dante quickly stepped forward, his gaze focused on Zennah, his eyes sweeping the length of her. “I am Dante.”
She went from happy to sultry in a millisecond. “Hello, Dante,” she purred, reaching her hand out to him, and he kissed it happily. “I am Zennah.”
I looked at Kyden, who was smiling.
Dante would be a good fit for Zennah. She was more than a handful. That tough wolf would keep her in check. The only thing was…it wouldn’t be everlasting. He could never accept her as a mate since she wasn’t a wolf, but they could have a good roll in the hay. Which, by looking at them now, was in the immediate future.
“I could smell you from a mile away.” A voice thick with French accent sidled up beside me.
I snorted loudly and spun to the side to face her. “Hello, Thalia.”
This Vampire was an elegant French rose. Beautiful, with her soft brown hair pulled up and dangling along her pale skin and pinkish cheeks. Her dark eyes showed just how happy she was to see me. Most of the Mistresses of the United States were hard asses—Thalia, the Mistress of the Mid-West was sweeter than bumble berry pie.
Hayes stood behind her, smiling brightly. He was your classic Scottish regale—scruffy, ruggedly handsome, but without the kilt. A real shame, in my opinion.
Thalia leaned in very close to my face and inhaled deeply. “Mmm, just as I remember it,” she said with a lick of her lips.
“Put those away.” I swatted at her fangs. It was never a blessing that my blood smelled appealing to vampires—something to do with my mixed heritage. I hadn’t really delved into the reasoning of it. I was perfectly happy ignoring it.
Thalia smiled innocently. “You must come for a visit soon. Wouldn’t that be wonderful, Hayes?”
He bowed his head. “The pleasure would be all ours.”
“I am sure it would,” I grumbled under my breath, glancing out to the crowd.
The music was the normal African tribal drums that pounded out a beat like pure sex. Supes just had that spirit to them. Sexuality was quite normal and very accepted within these parties.
Briggs passed by us, pulling Rynn into the crowd, and slowly began dancing oh-so-gently with her.
“He is very sweet with her,” I said to Kyden.
Kyden followed my gaze, glancing at his friend.