Free You Complete Me by Wendi Zwaduk Page B

that job now.”
    “Seems like the Hunter likes to protect you. She’s quite a force. Do you enjoy having her in control?”
    “We have shared control. We trust each other.” He shook his head. “I don’t want to argue with you. Our lives went on in different directions. Let’s leave it at that.”
    She sat down on the couch and folded her arms again. “I’m sorry. I do understand how you felt.” Her voice dropped to a whisper again. “A couple of days ago, I thought I’d lost Joachim and Padraig for good. Both shot. I couldn’t leave their sides. My heart ached and my soul cried. If you can find that with the Hunter, then don’t hesitate. She might not return your love, but you’ll know you gave it your best shot.”
    “Trust me, I know.”
    The door opened and Kynan strode into the room. “Are you done grilling him?”
    “I am.” Ava bowed her head and stood, then ducked out of the room.
    Kynan wiped his hand over his mouth. When she left the space, he sighed. “I know she’s your friend and I do like her, but she’s young.”
    “I know, sir.”
    “Sir? Gah. I’m the leader of the group, but I’m not your sir.” He waggled his finger in the air. “I had the Jeep moved. We’re being scrutinized. I want the people watching us to think you two were absorbed into the group and we took the vehicle to hide it.”
    “Good thinking.”
    “It’s also nearing morning. I’m guessing you and the Hunter are getting tired. I’ll show you to your room upstairs.” He waved his hand. “It’s just up this back corridor.”
    “I have a question, if you’ve got a moment.”
    “I do.”
    “What did you mean by full power?”
    “Have you been taught in the ways of the Supers?”
    “A little, but not enough.”
    “Being at full power means you’ve found and taken your mate.”
    “But how do you know? I’ve been to see the Sources. All I got was a bunch of riddles saying I’d find my Pasha while on my journey. No names, no specifics. I’m not sure if this is my journey—although I’m pretty sure it is—or if she’s my mate.”
    “Have you heard the voice?” Kynan tipped his head to the side. “If you’ve heard it, you’ll know.”
    “The one sounding like a lady?” Hagan wobbled on his feet. “I made love with Emily. She let me feed from her during sex. That’s too much information for you, I’m sure, but that’s what happened. I heard a lady speak in my head and it wasn’t Emily talking.”
    “Not too much information.” Kynan ran his fingers through his hair. “If you’ve heard the voice of the Goddess—the lady you’re talking about—then she’s pre-anointed the coupling. Whoever you were with when she spoke, then that’s your mate.”
    “Emily.”
    “Sounds like.” Kynan smiled and clapped Hagan on the shoulder. He steered Hagan out of the room and into the hallway. “Once you two agree to be mates—she can disagree, but I don’t see that happening because she’d be the one who has to kill you when you go berserk from being without your mate—she must ask to be yours. You’re the fuller blooded Super because you’re a vampire. When she says ‘take me as your mate’, you’ll make love and bite her, marking her. You’ll request a blessing from the Goddess and if all is according to plan, she’ll bless the pairing. Don’t worry about trying to remember what to say. The words just come. If all that happens, then you’ll sleep and charge your energy. For your full power, you’ll be faster, stronger, your senses keener and you won’t be bound by the darkness. She’ll have the fullest grasp of her Seer powers as well as sharper reflexes per her Hunter training. Basically, together at full power, you and Emily will be unstoppable.”
    “Wow.” Hagan wobbled before he regained his footing. His brain worked overtime. Kynan, Creighton and their mates weren’t bound by the darkness. Only the younger vampires were constrained still by the light of day. “So