CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The question made Eva’s eyes widen, and Raz wanted to tell her more than anything that he had already decided who he wanted to marry the moment he shared his past with her. It threw all his plans out the window as he realized she was the one person he wanted to protect more than anything.
And he didn’t care one bit about the plans anymore.
Marrying her now was all about that protection, and Raz did his best to explain why in a rational manner—one that didn’t involve feelings.
“My house is under my name and protected by a similar spell to yours. Only those that I’ve invited in have access inside, and some of the vampires lurking outside the house are among them.”
“What does that have to do…?”
“It will transfer my house under your name,” he responded. “It will protect us from them.”
“But they haven’t attacked us,” Eva pointed out.
Raz looked her in the eye, no longer wanting to lie. “Not yet.”
She took that in. Eva bit her lip, distracting him for a second before he told himself to focus. Then he went back to the situation. Yes, they hadn’t attacked yet. But that was only because Vladimir wasn’t here yet, and it was only a matter of time before he was.
The fact that they were outside observing him now spoke volumes about how the tables had turned and he was already being suspected of acting out. This was true, considering he hadn’t communicated with them after his last email to Vladimir asking about that vampire’s identity. It was even truer now with what he was planning to do next.
Again, he no longer cared.
“We don’t even have anyone who could marry us…” Eva trailed off when he raised a hand. She stared at him. “You?”
“I’ve been officiated. It will count. Are you in?”
Raz watched as Eva took a deep, unsteady breath.
Then she was nodding her head. “I’m in.”
*****
They were married in less than ten minutes, with the simple exchange of vows and Raz declaring that she was now his wife. He then declared transfer of the house spell to her name, something that he never thought would happen in his years staying there.
Outside, the air stirred, indicating that the vampires knew something was wrong but couldn’t quite place it. Eva quietly started packing the essentials—food, weapons—as a last-minute resort, while Raz let Peter out of his cage once he woke up.
He knelt in front of the boy, meeting his gaze. The boy looked back, his expression indicating that he was prepared to handle whatever insult was thrown his way.
“Peter, there might be a little danger in this place later, and your aunt might need to run away with you. Can I make a request for you to protect her and to stay safe while doing so?”
The wariness was replaced by shock, visible in his widened eyes. His bottom lip trembled. Then he was nodding his head furiously.
“I’ll protect her. I’ll do my best not to harm anyone,” the boy promised. It was the best Raz could hope for, and he sent the boy off to help Eva pack.
A few minutes later, Raz’s body went on alert as a strong presence made itself known at his front door. He knew that signature, one that had been with him for who knew how long. He took an inward breath.
Then Raz opened the door and faced Vladimir.
The vampire looked the same as ever—broody, with dark looks and a broad build that spoke of his warrior side. They’d never really been the best of buddies, but they’d never been on opposing sides, either.
Until now.
Still, he greeted the man with ease.
“Good evening, Vlad.”
The other didn’t return the greeting, instead looking at him steadily as if trying to search his face for answers. Raz wanted to tell him there was no point, but he didn’t. Instead, he simply voiced everything that had happened, keeping it brief and watching as no change of expression flickered on the other’s face. Vladimir stood like stone, almost like he wasn’t listening—except he was listening, especially at the last part when he visibly stilled.
“You married a human,” Vladimir said.
Raz shook his head. “A shifter.”
Surprise filled the other’s normally calm eyes before it disappeared. “Raz, you know we have to kill Peter. If others find out about his existence, the consequences will be damning.”
“I know,” Raz replied softly. Hell knew how much he agonized over that, especially knowing there were greedy, cruel people out there who would use a creature like Peter for their gain in power. But his response wasn’t a confirmation of what Vladimir wanted to happen, something Vladimir caught on to right away.
“Where do you stand?”
Silence filled the air. Then Raz finally voiced the words out loud.
“With Eva.”
Something in Vladimir’s expression hardened. Though Raz couldn’t feel any hate coming from the other vampire, he knew the ax had been thrown, and fate had been decided for them.
And they stood on opposite ends of the upcoming fight.
It wasn’t what Raz wanted. But it was what needed to be done in order to save Peter and give him a chance at a normal life, if that was even possible. He was risking it, and he knew it was bound to blow up in his face in the long run.
But that little boy was family now.
He took a step back, watching as Vladimir’s eyes followed the movements.
“You’re going to regret this,” the first-in-line said. Again, no inflection in the tone, and no threat. It was simply a fact for him. “Our witch allies are coming, and your protection spell won’t hold for long.”
Raz shook his head. “I’m sorry, Vladimir.”
“Lucinda might still forgive you if you come back now.”
Raz repeated his apology.
Then he shut the door on Vladimir’s face.
Inside, he waited for the other’s footsteps to recede. His presence still lurked, along with the other vampires, and Raz knew what usually happened when it came with this man: a strategy was formed first, one so brilliant that the mission was bound to be a success. Vladimir never, ever failed: not once.
But Raz wasn’t giving in that easily, either. But the chances of survival were slim. If witch allies were coming…then Eva didn’t stand a chance.
And Peter would be dead.
An idea formed in mind. With a deep breath, Raz turned it over in his head. Then he opened the door again.
“Vlad.”
The blur came to his porch.
“Raz.”
“I have a bargain.”
Let’s just hope it works.