Blood and Kisses - By Karin Shah Page 0,89

long, drugging kiss.

Thalia pulled away, framing his face with her hands. “You said that three times. It’s practically a spell.” She murmured the last word against his lips and gave herself up to his kiss. How could she doubt his love when he had risked everything simply to ease her last few minutes? The final piece of ice melted away before a surge of joy took over.

Happy tears filled her eyes. He loved her. He loved her. And they had their whole lives together. She said that aloud, whispered it in his ear.

“Lifetimes,” Gideon said emphasizing the “s” and grinned. He kissed her again. The metallic taste of blood met her tongue, and Thalia drew back. She raised a hand to her mouth and laughed, blood smeared his face and shirt where they’d pressed together. Lord knew what she looked like. She touched her hair. “I must be a mess.”

Gideon pulled out a handkerchief and began to wipe her face. “What do you think happened? Is that whole poisonblood thing a lie?”

Thalia thought for a moment. “I don’t think so. Vampires and witches have co-existed since the beginning of time. If it were a lie, I’m sure someone would have found out by now.”

Gideon helped Thalia to her feet. She stretched again, feeling like a house cat that had suddenly become a tiger. “I have so much energy. I feel like I could lift a car.”

“You probably could. My blood is ancient, you may have stronger powers than an older eyas turned by a younger vampire, and your powers should get stronger with time. You might not even have to sleep all day. But what about your witch powers? Can you still do magic?”

Thalia focused and reached out mentally. Tiny blue lights answered her call, chased by a rainbow of reds, yellows, greens, and purples. She felt as if the whole universe shimmered at her fingertips. Such riches were almost too much to take in, to have Gideon and her magic. Joy filled her to bursting.

She spun around, laughing, arms up in the air as if to hug the world. Gideon took that as her answer and scooped her up, swinging her around. She smiled as he slowed and let her slide down his lean body, melting against him. Eyes on her mouth, his head lowered.

Before her lips would meet his, a siren wailed by, reminding her where they were. “Umm.” She waved a hand in the air and looked around, abruptly aware of their squalid surroundings. “Are half the police in Rochester still outside?”

Chapter 23

“In recognition of their outstanding service to the witch community, please join me in a toast to Thalia Kent and Gideon Damek,” Mina held up a champagne flute. “We will never be able to repay you for all you’ve done, but we’re sure going to try. To Gideon and Thalia.”

Applause rang off the metal roof of Mina’s favorite party house, or at least the one she was always able to get at the last minute, and then faded away. Thalia’s cheeks ached from smiling too much, as she and Gideon shook hands with each of the council members, but hey, it was a good problem to have.

Heath approached Thalia. He rubbed the base of his neck ruefully. “I’m sorry. You really pulled it off. I had no business taking out my frustration with the way things are on you.”

“Thanks.” Thalia patted him on the shoulder. “But, you know, I’ve been thinking. You were right.”

“What?” Heath blinked.

“Just because things have always been done a certain way, doesn’t mean that’s the way it always has to be.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying...maybe we need two Champions. Believe me, there’s more than enough work to go around.”

Comprehension lit Heath’s tanned face. He nodded. “I think I’d like that.”

Thalia squeezed his arm. “Good.”

Heath said his good-byes and left.

Gideon quirked an eyebrow at Thalia. “That was very generous.”

She tilted her head. “I’ll have to speak to the council about it, of course.”

“I have a feeling they’ll agree. It will unify the community. Plus they’ll get two free Champions for the price of one.

“Stop.” She elbowed him.

At the end of the line, Gideon snagged a cookie and handed it to Thalia. She inclined her head and raised her eyebrows, and he put it back. Then he dragged her away to the quiet corner where Spirit waited.

Had it only been a few days since she’d stood in this very building, feeling as if her world crumbled around her?

A young mage approached her. “I