No sooner had he shut the front door of the apartment behind us than he was on me. But he wasn’t rough. His hands moved over me gently and slowly while his mouth sipped at mine. Still, though, there was desperation and intensity in every purposeful touch and in every sensual flick of his tongue.

He teased me in bed for what could have been hours before finally thrusting inside me. He kept the pace slow yet intense, his eyes locked with mine the entire time. He was reassuring himself that everything was fine, reconnecting in the only way that someone as unromantic as Salem would know how to do.

Afterwards, he curled himself around me, his hold tighter than usual, and fell asleep with his face almost buried in my hair. I smiled. We’d be okay. All was good.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

(Ava)

All was not good. Not when I had the Dynamic Dumb-assed Duo standing in front of me.

This evening’s training had taken place in the arena and, like always, it had been gruelling but invaluable. Everyone had been seriously determined to work hard and do well, since Giles had only one final night after this to contact Sam and Jared. If he didn’t, we’d be paying him a visit at his club, which wouldn’t at all be friendly.

After the training session, Sam and Jared congratulated us all on our progress before ordering us to go wind down and mentally prepare ourselves for the upcoming battle. But I sensed it was more than that. She wanted quality time with Jared, conscious that it was possible that one of them could be terribly hurt in a battle. Just the same, I wanted that time with Salem, and I was more than happy to have it.

The female squad was sent out of the arena first, since Sam and Jared wished to have a short private chat with the guys. That was when I’d found Will and Blythe waiting outside, which kind of shit on my good mood. The fact that they were glaring daggers at me indicated it was me they had come to see, not Salem. That was actually a relief, because I really was pissed at Will’s insistence on taking out all his envy and spite on Salem.

Conscious that Salem would soon follow me outside, I figured it was best to get it over with. I spoke in a flat voice. “Can I help you? Please say no.” The girls gathered around me, snickering at the duo.

Blythe shook her head at me, as if she was marvelling over something. “You don’t feel even an ounce of shame or remorse for what you did last night, do you?”

“Ah, we’re discussing Gina.”

“We’re discussing how you attacked her,” spat Will.

I tilted my head. “‘Attacked’ is such a strong word.”

“But fitting,” he insisted, “since you punched her hard enough to render her unconscious. Maybe you can explain to me why you believe this to be acceptable.”

“Sure. Got any crayons?”

Stiffening, Will drew to his full height. “We’ll see how amusing you find this when I’ve spoken to the Grand High Pair about your behaviour.”

I double-blinked in surprise at what he seemed to think was a threat that should have me quivering. I must have missed something. “You want to complain to Sam and Jared?”

Imani leaned into me. “Where’s he going with this? I truly fail to understand exactly what he thinks that will achieve.” So it wasn’t just me, then.

Will sniffed at Imani. “I’m sure they have strict rules on their legion members using their skills outside of training or battle.” His narrow-eyed gaze switched back to me. “You shall face the consequences.”

I had to wonder if he honestly believed there would be any consequences. It was quite probable that he simply wanted to do something – anything – that would incense Salem. He had nothing better to do? How sad. “You know, I’m pretty sure they sell lives in one of the stores over there. I suggest you buy one and butt out of Salem’s.”

Blythe looked like she truly wanted to gut me. “Do not think that angering us will make us walk away. We will not tolerate what you did to Gina.”

“What Gina did to herself, you mean. She was warned several times to keep her distance from me. She chose to not only harass me twice, but to try and cause shit between me and Salem. I have witnesses to confirm that, if you’re interested. The fact is that she brought this situation on herself. And I’m sure she’s very aware of that, which is why she isn’t standing with you. She knows that if anyone will be facing consequences, it will be her.”

That was when I heard Sam, Jared, and the guys all filing out of the arena. I didn’t move my eyes from the duo, though. The crowd must have parted to allow Sam and Salem to come through, because they were suddenly flanking me.

“What’s going on?” demanded Salem, his arm brushing mine.

“Is there a problem here?” Sam’s voice was cold.

Will lifted his chin as he addressed Sam. “Your squad member assaulted my vampire.”

Sam studied Blythe from head to toe. “She looks fine to me.”

Will appeared to be grinding his teeth. “I’m referring to Gina. She” – he stabbed his finger in my direction, earning himself a growl from Salem – “attacked her in a bar last night.”

“Is that true, Ava?” Jared asked from behind me.

“Yep. And I’ll do it again if she doesn’t back off.”

“Gina provoked her on two separate occasions,” interjected Alora, “spouting petty little insults, and saying stuff like Salem will soon leave Ava, and that Gina could easily have him under her thrall because he secretly wants her.”

Salem snorted at that, clutching my hand in his.

“She was trying to make Ava doubt Salem,” deduced Sam.

“Yes.” Alora smiled as she then added, “Gina even said she could have Jared under her thrall, if she wanted.” Jared actually laughed at that.

Sam’s expression hardened as her brow arched. “She did, did she?” There was a promise of repercussions in her voice.

“Gina would never say such a thing,” Blythe declared, resolute.

“Oh, but that was exactly what she said,” contradicted Alora, still smiling – taking utter joy in stirring some shit.

Maya spoke then. “She even invited Ava to fight with her in the bar – said something pathetic like ‘let’s dance’.”

“All things considered,” began Jude, “I’m honestly confused about why Gina thought she wouldn’t get hurt at some point.”