Without hesitation, Victor raised his wristto his mouth and bit down hard. The sound of his teeth breakingthrough the skin of his wrist made me wince. Apparently were teethwere as sharp as vamp fangs.
Victor held his bleeding wrist over thegolden lip of the cup, pumping his hand to make the blood flow. Isaw Taylor watching the thick stream of blood gushing into the cupwith a hungry look in her eyes and reminded myself to say somethingto Corbin about it. She couldn’t live on bagged blood forever—sheneeded it live, right from the vein if she was going to stayhealthy.
When Corbin passed the chalice to her, shebit her wrist and held it out. Nothing but a sluggish dribble camefrom the self-inflicted wounds. She pumped her hand just as Victorhad, opening and closing her fist until three or four drops fellinto the chalice. Finally, Corbin nodded and withdrew the cup.
“I add now, the blood of the mother goddess,she who birthed us all to darkness in the beginning,” he said,producing a small crystal vial of liquid so dark it was almostblack and adding it to the blood already in the chalice. “It is shewho binds you together and she whom you must answer to if you breakthe sacred vows you have taken here tonight. Do both of youunderstand?”
Taylor nodded and Victor muttered a gruff,“Yes.”
Corbin nodded again. “Good, then drink ofeach other and become one.”
He handed the chalice to Victor first whotook a small sip and handed it back. Corbin then gave it toTaylor.
At first it looked like she was going to dothe same thing Victor had, taking only a small, polite drink. Butonce the blood passed her lips, it seemed like she lost control.She tilted the cup and drank thirstily, draining it dry. Then shelowered it slowly, a look of shame on her face.
“Sorry,” she murmured, passing the chaliceback to Corbin.
“It’s all right,” Corbin murmured, lookingat me rather than her. “There is no shame in drinking deeply ofyour beloved.”
For some reason I felt myself blushing. Idropped my eyes and looked away. Though the vampire ceremony was alittle strange, I had to admit it was still beautiful. Or wouldhave been if the people getting married really wanted to marry eachother.
There was a silence and then Corbin liftedthe now empty chalice high.
“By your blood and the will of the goddess,I pronounce you bound together. Let the knot woven by she who madeus all never be sundered.”
I wondered if there was going to be a “kissthe bride” part but Victor was already up and moving almost as soonas Corbin stopped talking.
“I have to go,” he told Corbin with a frown.“Things to do.”
Corbin frowned. “And your bride?”
Victor shot a quick look at Taylor who wasstill kneeling at the altar. “I told you, I can’t take her tonight.I’m getting my place ready—I’ll come back when it’s done.”
“See that you find accommodations for yourlovely new wife sooner rather than later.” Corbin’s voice was awarning growl. “Taylor is your responsibility now. I expect you tolive up to your end of our bargain.”
“I’ll come for her as soon as I damn wellcan,” Victor snarled back. “Now can I go or not?”
“Not,” Corbin said coolly. “I need you tostay just a little longer for the benefit of a guest who is a bitlate to the ceremony.”
“Are you talking about Roderick?” Taylorrose and came to stand by me.
“Of course.” Corbin closed his eyes for amoment. “And I believe I hear him coming…now.” He looked at Victor.“Be ready and remember your vows, were.”
“I’m not likely to forget them,” Victorgrowled. “What do you want me to do?”
“Simply claim and protect your female,”Corbin said. “Now.”
As he spoke the last word, Roderick strolledinto the room, an ugly look on his face.
“Hello, Corbin,” he said, frowning. “I amhere for your inspection. What is this I hear about a wedding goingon?”
Chapter Sixteen
“I am afraid you are too late to witness theceremony,” Corbin said smoothly, taking a step forward and puttinghimself between me and Roderick. “The vows have just concluded. Butat least you’re in time to wish the bride and groom well.”
“And I see the bride is Taylor, thedelectable little female I wanted for myself.” Roderick shot Corbinan angry look. “If you think you can keep her from me with thischeap trick, you’re much mistaken.”
Corbin frowned. “It is no trick, Roderick.Taylor and Victor are bound together by blood. By the laws of thegoddess which we all live under, they may not be parted.”
“We will see about that.” Roderick steppedup to Taylor, a cold light in his eyes. “You’re looking lovelytonight, sweetheart,” he murmured, looking her up and down in a waythat left no doubt of his intentions.
Taylor said nothing but I could see hertrembling and she refused to meet Roderick’s eyes.
“That gown suits you,” he continued. “Itmakes you look extremely fuckable.”
He reached up to touch her cheek but his armwas knocked out of the way. Victor was suddenly standing betweenhim and Taylor.
“What part of “she’s married” don’t youunderstand, fanger?” he demanded, glowering at the vampire. “Thegirl is mine. You try to touch her again and I’ll rip yourfucking arm out of its socket.”
Roderick’s eyes narrowed withdispleasure.
“How dare you speak to me in such a manner?Do you know who I am or what I could do to you, dog?”
“Yeah, I see your ink.” Victor gestured atthe six blood red stars tattooed under Roderick’s eyes. “I’m sureyou could fuck me up pretty bad. But guess what, fanger—I wouldn’tbe the only one fucked up when it was over.” His eyes glowed moltengold and his voice dropped to a deep, inhuman growl. “You wanna tryme?”
“Surely there is no need for violence,”Corbin said, stepping forward. He gave a long, low whistle andsuddenly a vampire girl with hair as long and dark as Taylor’s wasstanding by his side. She looked up at Roderick adoringly.
“Is this the one you
