Free Whispers of Night: 1 (Immortal Embrace) by Erin Simone Page A

him. He’d lost control of the situation the moment he took her from that garage. Now he had to fix it.
    “I can’t do that.” Shit, he’d really screwed up.
    “You can’t or won’t?” Irritation flashed on Ta’breyian’s face.
    “You want me to spell it out for you, fine. I’ve made a mess of things because I couldn’t resist my attraction to her. There, you happy now?” Anger suffused him. This instinctual need to bond with her left him with a mixed cocktail of emotions. Mostly he hated the lack of control.
    “I don’t find this amusing in the least. It’s a powerful draw for our kind.”
    “No shit.” Dane pressed his lips together. He was done for and he knew it.
    “Our world is a dangerous place for a human. She’ll never be safe unless she is one of us, so why risk it?”
    “I only planned for it to happen between us once and that’s it.” He met Ta’breyian’s steady gaze.
    “How did you two meet?”
    “She was attacked by a Rogue in the parking garage of my office building. That’s how I discovered my connection to her.” His frown deepened. “I killed the bastard before he had a chance to bite her. I brought her back here and things happened between us. It wasn’t planned.”
    “You only mentioned killing one vampire. Did you dispose of the others too?”
    “Shit!” Dane cursed as he rubbed a hand over his jaw.
    “They don’t hunt alone, you know.” Ta’breyian raised an eyebrow.
    “She was injured. I didn’t think. My first concern was to get her the hell out of there.” Shit, he’d lost his edge. It was clear her presence had distracted him. Otherwise he would’ve gone after the other ones. Most Rogues traveled in small groups. .
    “You were careless,” Ta’breyian grumbled. “Do I need to spell out how much danger you’ve put her in?”
    “You don’t think I know that, for Christ’s sake?” he bit out. “How the hell did they get into my garage in the first place, is what I would like to know. They can’t trace inside the structure. Someone let them in.” Anger rolled through him that there was a traitor working for him. He’d need to flush the traitor out. His hands shook as he closed them into fists. A fierce possessiveness took over his control. The drive to protect Jenny was undeniable. He’d do whatever it took to keep her safe.
    “You might’ve discovered who it was if you’d done your job.”
    Dane knew he’d acted irresponsibly ever since he’d met Jenny, so what did that say about him? “I’ll find out who the culprit is.”
    “I must urge you to turn her. It’s the safest solution to your problem.”
    That’s not going to happen. I can’t do that to her. “She’s not going to lose her life because of me. I took a vow long ago that I fully intend to keep.” But even as he said the words, guilt sliced through his resolve. His careless actions had created an impossible situation. He’d only been with her once but already the attraction had grown too goddamn strong.
    “You play with fire, Dane Voss, if you think this is going to work between you two.” Ta’breyian shook his head.
    “She doesn’t need to know about my world.” He threw up his hands, trapped in the snare of his own making.
    “I caution you, listen to me, brother. Don’t make the same mistake I once made.”
    “You were mated to a human?” Dane gasped in disbelief. Ta’breyian had acted like a monk, for god’s sake.
    “Yes, and like you, I refused to change her. Rogues are patient creatures. They waited until I let my guard down. I left at dusk one night to hunt, figuring it was early enough and she’d be safe. I planned to make it quick. Rogues were waiting and took her while I was gone. When I discovered her missing, I became enraged and went after her. But it was too late; they’d killed her before I could reach her.” Ta’breyian’s expression remained impassive, belying the truth hidden beneath the calm façade.
    “I didn’t know. I’m sorry to