Maybe she wasn’t getting a hard on for dangerous men because although this one was

very attractive and strong, he did nothing for her. Not even a lick of heat. It was a shame too because he grinned at her like he already saw her naked and riding him.

“Good morning, Ms. Bellum.” The warrior Draven gave a clipped bow.

“Chloe,” she corrected automatically.

“Where to this morning, Chloe? I must say you’re looking fresh and lovely today. Would you like some breakfast?” The compliment didn’t charm her, but the thought of food did. Until that new moon she still needed normal food like humans. What would it be like to have to survive on just sex?

The thought scared the crap out of her on a very deep level. She knew her outcome was grim. She had no real Protector, Tyrian had already stated he wouldn’t “do that” for her. The one she had didn’t want her and she didn’t really want him, aside from on a physical level. A very deep, sexy physical level.

But if she didn’t find a man, a new Protector, then she’d end up sleeping with any and every man just to survive. She’d heard rumors of women who eschewed the dependant living of the succubus life and were forced into whoring themselves to survive. Jumping from man to man just to stay alive. An icy chill swept through her at the thought. She used to think the rumor was merely a nasty myth to keep daughters in line, but now she wondered if perhaps there wasn’t some truth to the grim tale.

“This way then. We’ll get you some breakfast. We don’t have a cook here nor any real food, but commander Tyrian did order in supplies to feed you. Just enough until your big day.”

He looked at her but his grin died. “Sorry, I’m not trying to sound like an ass. This must be hard for you. You don’t know any of us and now you’re gone from your only family. I know I’d be upset to say the least.”

Chloe couldn’t help the small smile that formed. “Thank you, I appreciate that.” He seemed genuine enough and she wondered if he had some experience with this sort of thing.

He pulled her to a stop. In a soft voice he said, “Listen, I know about succubi and their new moon. I also know Commander Tyrian.” He shook his head, dismayed. “If you

need...assistance I promise I’m a gentle and good lover. I don’t want you to feel too weird about it. I’d help you if you need me. Just ask.”

Chloe couldn’t stop the blush from coloring her cheeks. She didn’t know if it was from embarrassment or the compliment that he gave her, but she didn’t have to think about it because a door slammed down the hall and out strode her deadly captor. Her heart beat with each step he came closer to her.

She watched his eyes, watched them narrow on both of them, and darken with something close to menace. “Draven, you’re due for training today. Don’t stop until I send for you.” Draven pulled back into an erect stance that mimicked the commanders. He bowed and marched away.

“But he was going to take me to get food,” she said. Okay, it was a borderline whine, but she couldn’t help it. She hated being hungry, that starving feeling was in her belly and coming in full force. She tried to look at him, but it was hard to meet his eyes. They were too smart, too strong. Eyes of an eagle. “He didn’t do anything wrong,” she added for good measure. She had a feeling that the commander was upset with Draven and naturally, she felt the need to protect him, such was her nature. One dark eyebrow rose at her words.

“As a matter of fact he did. Yesterday he allowed one of his hurt team members to carry you just for a laugh. That is unacceptable and for that, he shall train twice as long. A fledgling would know better than to do that.” His words moved to some hollow place in the back of her mind leaving her to focus all her thoughts on his scent, his body. Her heart skipped a beat. He smelled good. Really good. Was the new moon making her hormones go crazy or was this all real?

Her tongue felt too heavy to speak. “I’m sorry. You really shouldn’t punish him. He’s really nice.” It was a sore argument and she knew it and what was worse, he gave her a cold look that said and this is why you aren’t a warrior. She was sure he was right too.

“I will take you to get food and then I will show you the parameters of the castle within which you are allowed and the areas where you are not allowed.”

She made a mental note to go into all the rooms from which she was banned first. His eyes narrowed a fraction on hers. She smiled big and sweet. He couldn’t mind-read, could he?

She’d heard vampires could have powers, but a vampire mind-reader sounded ridiculous to her.

Time to test it out. I came in the shower while thinking about you fucking me.

Okay, so it wasn’t the best of mental projections but he didn’t even blink so she was pretty sure she was safe. Even the iceman would have some kind of reaction to that.

He held out a hand to indicate the stairs. “Follow me.” She did. She also kept looking at the way the hard strength of his back tapered to a tight, lean waist and wondered what it would feel like to wrap herself around him like a pretzel.

He cut her a sharp look and she blinked at him innocently.

“Are you a mind reader?”

He didn’t scowl at her, because the man didn’t show any emotion on his face, but she sensed that he was scowling at her. This man could easily win any poker contest he entered. And he wouldn’t even need sunglasses.

“No.” He led her through a massive room with high, vaulted stone ceilings and large archway windows, again with no covering of any kind over them. Seriously, put a screen up or something, she wanted to say. She was actually surprised not to see any torches on the walls.

Electric sconces lit the castle walls where needed. Alongside old paintings, pieces of cloth that looked like old blankets and swords hung in an X pattern on the wall.

Chloe quickened her pace to keep up with his long one. “How did you know my father?”

He didn’t answer as they entered a small kitchen. Considering the size of every other room in the house, which could easily house a giant, this room was like the kitchen in a studio apartment.

“Of course, vampires don’t eat.” A blush crept over her cheeks as Tyrian spun slowly on his heel to peer at her, just the slightest tilt to his head said he was curious...or thought she was mad. “Sorry,” she mumbled. She swore that every time he looked at her, she had to remind herself how to breathe.

The sensation reminded her of being back in high school. She’d had a crush on A.J.

Hammer, a name barely sexier than the real boy himself. He wore a black leather jacket, short cut black hair, and dark eyes. He was nice, too. He sat in front of her in geometry and about once a week he’d turn around and ask to borrow a pencil or paper, and her lungs would freeze up as he looked at her and her heart would race so fast.

Twelve years later and she was experiencing those same sensations all over again.

Although this time she wasn’t some shy girl, and he was one of the greatest leaders in the world.

“The food is in there. Make something now and be quick about it. I do not have much free time.” Chloe scoffed at his attitude but moved to the fridge he indicated. She found enough items to make a decent sandwich. When she was done making it, she started eating with flourish. She hadn’t even realized how hungry she was until now. And now that she thought about it, she hadn’t eaten since that little airplane meal on the flight to London. When she finished he started to leave the room. She hurried to keep up.

“So how do you know my father, again?” He moved his arms behind his back and gently held his wrists. The look clearly stated that he was indeed a commander.

“I fought with your father in the Great War.”