warned me of my woman’s imminent entrance into the realm of dreams. I raced back to my domain, surprised by the amount of time it had taken her considering how much energy I had been able to harvest during that time. Tonight and tomorrow would be my last chances to do so as the Mist would end, leaving me with no other resources than my woman's emotions, those of the agents, and whatever Thomson had in store for me.
Beneath his gentle exterior, a hard man coexisted with the paternal father figure that genuinely cared for the welfare of my mate and of his fellow humans. He had no qualms giving me those condemned humans. And yet, his reluctance had not been a show to mollify my mate, clearly in disagreement. He feared I might develop a taste for it. In truth, I probably will. But my woman would keep me in line.
It was her that Thomson needed to worry about. If he were wise, he would limit her exposure to the less palatable means his organization was willing to take to achieve their goals. If Naima hardened and began to embrace these harsher methods, he wouldn't like how much free reign I would gain.
But this was a discussion for another time. Right now, I intended to claim my mate. The tall walls of my domain loomed on the horizon. My chest swelled with pride at the sight of the thick and impenetrable barrier crisscrossed with lightning, and the rolling volutes of the dark clouds forming it. Anyone foolish enough to approach it without my consent would be obliterated.
Even Darryl?
I frowned at the unpleasant thought. Would he be able to breach it? I couldn't tell for sure. But if he did, he would be so drained that destroying him would become child's play—assuming I wasn't helpless myself.
A slight fissure parted before me as I made my approach. I glided through and was immediately struck by another surge of energy. While merely being in the Mist gave me a certain amount of energy, roaming within my own domain gave me even more. My walls constantly absorbed what they could from the daydreams and wandering thoughts of humans fueling the Mist.
Moving a little farther in, away from the defensive clearing surrounding my protective wall where I had first brought Naima, I invoked a gothic bedroom with cathedral ceilings and arched stained glass windows. A massive bed with black and purple satin bedding occupied the back wall. Chains and shackles dangled from metal studs riveted to the finely chiseled darkwood head and footboard. Across from it, a giant candle chandelier hung from the ceiling above the seating area made of large cushions and pillows surrounding giant fur carpet. It faced an imposing fireplace carved in stone. Candles burned all around the room, giving it an intimate and mysterious atmosphere.
My female had a thing for vampires. Although she would be getting me tonight, if she played nice, I might give her a nip just for kicks.
Pleased with my setting, I took on my human appearance, wearing nothing more than a black robe before summoning my woman to me. I watched with impatience and hunger as the glowing light of her consciousness appeared like a star in the Mist, growing in size and intensity as she fell towards me. She finally took form just as she passed through the ceiling, wearing a barely-there negligee I had wished upon her. She blinked, her eyes adjusting to this new environment as it became visible to her. Simultaneously, Naima’s body tilted to the vertical, and she delicately landed on her feet a couple of meters in front of me.
My mate looked around the room, recognizing the setting of one of her frequent, naughty fantasies, inspired by a vampire movie she’d watched too many times to count. She cast a glance at the black, diaphanous negligee hugging the delicious curves of her slender body—the exact same model the heroine of the movie had worn. Hands on her hips, Naima glared at me.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she asked in a stern voice.
I slowly prowled towards her, a smug smile on my face. “Finishing what you started, my love.”
Chapter 12
Zain
She stiffened, a flash of guilt crossing her beautiful features. She averted her eyes and lost a bit of the righteous attitude she’d been broadcasting.
“That was a moment of weakness. I apologize,” she said in a defensive tone. “You made the right call by walking away.”
“I didn’t walk away,” I said,