Blood at Stake (Warriors of the Krieger Book 2) by Theresa Hissong Page B

watching me with interested eyes. Her tiny
head was cocked to the side, her hair hung free. I ran my hands
through the auburn strands, smiling at its silky feel.
    “It was only a few nights,” I admitted. “I
had nothing left in Umea. Dragus gave me a day to say goodbye to my
family. I told them that I’d found a job elsewhere and would send
them letters if I could.”
    “What happened to them?” she asked, her hand
still on my cheek. I found comfort in the gesture. It felt like
home when she touched me.
    “They lived for another ten years. Mother
passed away first, and my father followed a few months after.”
    “I’m sorry,” Lydia sighed and sat up where
we could look at each other again. “It must’ve been hard on
you.”
    “Thank you,” I replied, pulling her back to
my chest, where I desired her to be. “I like you here.”
    “I like being here,” she smiled against my
shirt.
     

Chapter 9

    Lydia
     
    My whole life, I’d always been small, but
when I was in Ashby’s arms, I felt even smaller. Ashby was just huge . We talked most of the night, and the entire time I
remained on his lap. We were on my couch, just like two teenagers
finding love for the first time.
    Love? Where the hell did that word come
from? We’d mated, yes, but love? There was a connection there that
I’d never had before. This was different from the connection I had
with Charity. Well, obviously, you dumbass , I thought to
myself. You’re mated!
    “Where’s your safe room?” Ashby suddenly
growled, his body stiffened with whatever he was sensing. He turned
so that he was over me protectively, shielding my body from
whatever danger was lurking outside. I was slumped down in my couch
cushions, while he had both hands on either side of my hips. I was
looking straight into his massive chest, as he closed his eyes,
reaching out with his senses.
    “What are you doing?” I gasped, as he
continued to shield me, his head pivoted in the direction of every
window.
    “Where is your damn room, Alydian ?”
he demanded, using my given name.
    “Back of the house, in the basement,” I
blurted, quickly. He used my real name and his fangs elongated.
Blood seeped into his eyes as he scented the air. Something was
wrong…very wrong.
    “They’re coming,” he said, as he scooped me
up into his arms.
    “Who’s coming?” I demanded. My body started
to shake from the fear of what was about to happen.
    “The humans who shot you,” he swallowed
hard, his body vibrated as he carried me toward my safe room. I had
a room that was different from my bedroom. This safe room was in
the basement and had all of the things I would need to live on,
like blood…and television. The room was set up like a bank vault
and had its own air supply piped in from a secure location. If
these humans wanted to flush me out by putting something into the
air ducts of my house, this room would not be affected. Leo had
taught me to be safe, to be one step ahead of my enemies.
    “Where the hell are you going?” I demanded,
as he dumped me on the sofa and headed out of the room. I started
to stand, but a warning growl from his chest caused me to stop dead
in my tracks. When Ashby growled, it was something to be afraid of.
The sound was completely animalistic and scary as hell, even more
so than when Dragus growled at Charity. The sound was so loud and
deep that it rattled my chest and the picture on the wall above
where I was standing. I’d never heard a vampire make that
sound before.
    “ Stay ,” he demanded, before pulling
his phone out of his pocket. Ashby pressed a key on his phone and
he was quickly connected to whoever he was calling. “At Lydia
Duncan’s place. The humans are coming, there are about ten of them.
I need backup immediately.”
    Ashby ended the call as quickly as he placed
it. He reached behind himself and retrieved a gun I didn’t even
know he had on him. I watched as he checked all the little
mechanisms and ammo to make sure it was