Blood Magic (After Dark Book 7) by Sarah Bailey (historical books to read .txt) 📕

did care about was his brother appearing in his flat without warning.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Gav?” he asked.

“Her father came looking for me. Told me she’d got herself intimately involved with a vampire.”

“You didn’t tell him it was me, did you?”

“Of course I fucking well didn’t. Did you think I would throw my own sibling under the bus?”

Gavin paced away, not looking at Dani. She watched the two of them with wide eyes.

“Put some fucking clothes on. Both of you,” he added.

Jamie walked over to his chest of drawers and tossed Dani a pair of boxers and a t-shirt before he put some on himself. She tugged the clothes on, hopped out of bed and came to stand next to him, her small hand wrapped around his waist.

“Look, Gav, it’s not like we meant for this to happen,” Jamie said.

Gavin’s eyes fell on them, his expression turning dark.

“This is the last fucking thing I need to deal with. You know how much shit I’m in right now.”

He stopped, his nostrils flaring. He stared hard at the two of them.

“You smell different. What the fuck did you two do? Do not bullshit me.”

Dani trembled by his side. He looked down at her, noticing the resolve in her expression.

“We bound ourselves to each other in blood,” she said. “Ancient fae magic. It’s unbreakable.”

Gavin didn’t react for a long moment. Then he rubbed his forehead, muttering under his breath, “The two of you are fucking certifiable.”

“Or maybe we’re just two people who decided they wouldn’t let anyone tear them apart because we fell in love with each other,” Jamie said.

He hadn’t meant to tell Gavin that, but the words fell out of his mouth anyway. His brother gave him a hard stare. He walked over slowly and put his hand out to Dani.

“We have never been properly introduced,” he said.

Jamie watched Dani put her hand in Gavin’s and give it a quick shake.

“I don’t suppose I need to ask if you’re sure about this one.”

Gavin indicated Jamie with a slight nod of his head.

“I care about your brother, more than words can express.”

“You two realise you’ve put me in a very difficult position. I should return you to your father. It’s what he’s asked for.”

She nodded, clutching Jamie tighter.

“I won’t go back to him. He can’t make me.”

“I can’t imagine he’ll be pleased to discover you’ve bound yourself to a vampire.”

Dani looked at her feet, a blush rising up her cheeks.

“Her father doesn’t give a shit about her feelings,” Jamie said. “Or what she wants. He doesn’t know she’s trying to stop war coming to the fae. He’d rather lock her up on the royal estate and pretend like nothing is happening.”

“Trying to stop war?”

Dani nodded, looking back up at Gavin.

“The unrest, it’s because some of the fae don’t recognise my father as Gwilliana’s successor. They want to give the crown to Gwilliana’s daughter. I’m going to seek out Candace and get her to stop this madness. You must know what happened in America. I couldn’t tell my father, he’d forbid it. He’d rather bury his head in the sand with diplomacy.”

Gavin was silent again, almost as if he was taking time to mull over her words. Jamie squeezed Dani’s side, dropping a kiss on her forehead.

“You didn’t have to tell him,” he whispered even though Gavin could hear him.

She shrugged.

“My father would say I’ve betrayed our kind by telling any of you, but I don’t care. War for the fae means trouble for everyone else.”

It was true. This would have far reaching consequences across the supernatural community. As would Gavin’s problems if they continued. Jamie desperately wanted to help resolve the situation for Dani.

“You know how to reach Hell?” Gavin asked.

“Yes.”

“I can’t let him go with you.”

“I know.”

“Bullshit, Gav. How can she go to see the Queen of Hell alone?” Jamie interjected.

Gavin rubbed his forehead again.

“I need you here. If I’m going to sort this shit out, then you have to remain on Earth. I’m sure Dani is capable of looking after herself.”

He was about to object further when Dani put her free hand on his chest. She stared up at him with warmth in her blue eyes.

“It’s okay. I can do this,” she told him.

“Are you sure?”

She nodded. He wanted to protect her, but Gavin wasn’t going to back down from this. It was a miracle he’d not lost his shit completely and banished Jamie already.

He turned to his brother.

“What are you going to do?”

“Stall the king for as long as possible. This gets back to the Council, we’re all fucked. They’re already on my case over the shit with business. I need your help. Go and see Neave, she’ll fill you in.”

He nodded. If he couldn’t help Dani, then he’d need a distraction. Otherwise, he’d go crazy thinking about how much danger she was in. Going to Hell wasn’t going to be a walk in the park for her. Facing Lucifer and Candace would make anyone want to run away, but not his Dani. She was strong and brave. She was fighting for her people.

Gavin’s eyes flicked to Dani.

“And you need to go to Hell. Make sure you don’t return empty handed.”

“I’ll try not to,” she replied.

He nodded slowly at them.

“I have matters to attend to.”

He stepped back and the shadows folded around him, leaving Dani and Jamie alone. She wrapped her other arm around his waist, resting her head against his chest.

“I’m scared,” she whispered.

“I know.”

She nuzzled her face on his chest. It made him smile. They were in this together even if they had to part for a while.

“I never thought I’d have a