How to Seduce a Vampire (Without Really Trying) (Love at Stake) by Kerrelyn Sparks Page A

us!”
    “We all risk death when we engage in battle. You know that. Now let us return to our homes.” Nima started down the path to the base of the valley.
    Neona’s hands fisted. How dare her mother dismiss Minerva’s death that easily. “We shouldn’t have given away her baby!”
    Nima halted and looked back, her eyes narrowing into slits. “That was seven years ago. What is done is done.”
    “It was never done for Minerva.” Neona walked toward her mother. “She never recovered. If we had kept her baby, she would have fought harder. She would still be alive!”
    Nima’s eyes flashed with anger. “Do not make such ridiculous claims. Besides, there was no way her son could remain. Men are not allowed here.”
    “He was a baby! What harm could he have done?”
    “He would still grow to be a man.”
    Neona motioned toward the neighboring valley. “You let Frederic live close by.”
    “And he was never allowed into this valley.” Nima made a sound of disgust. “He had two daughters with Calliope and still abandoned her. I should have killed him when I had the chance.”
    “That would have gone over well with his wife and daughters.”
    “Drop the sarcasm,” Nima hissed. “We all know the rules and why we have them. Your insolence is appalling, but I will tolerate it this one time since you are in mourning.”
    How good of you, Neona bit back the words. Her anger grew as she watched her mother turn her back and walk away. “What happened to my father?”
    Nima halted, her spine stiffening. “You go too far. I told you never to speak of him.”
    Neona approached her. “Did you kill him?”
    Her mother turned to face her. “Hypocrisy does not suit you. We are warriors.” She stepped closer. “How many men have you killed, Neona?”
    “In the heat of battle, it is self-defense. We must kill in order to survive.”
    Nima’s mouth twisted with a wry smile. “And what makes you think your father didn’t fight back?”
    Neona’s gut churned. Killing men in battle was one thing, but killing a man after mating with him?
    The queen patted Neona on the cheek. “Pull yourself together. Nothing matters except fulfilling our sacred duty.”
    “Minerva mattered.”
    Nima closed her eyes briefly with a pained look. “In the end, she was weak. Don’t let that happen to you.” She turned and walked down the path into the valley.
    Neona remained behind with tears stinging her eyes. Zhan butted his head against her leg, and she crouched down beside him.
    “Sacred duty,” she muttered. All her life, she’d heard that nothing mattered except keeping the valley and its secrets safe. “Minerva mattered. Her son mattered.”
    And Zoltan mattered. Even though it hurt like hell, she could not see him again. He was venturing far too close to Beyul-La. Not only was her heart at risk. His life would be over if he was caught.
    She hugged Zhan. “Love matters.”

Chapter Eight
    W hen Zoltan teleported into the kitchen, he found Russell seated at the table with Howard. There was a tense silence between the ex-Marine and were-bear. A large box of donuts rested on the table, and Howard was working his way through them. In front of Russell, there was an open bottle of Blissky, a mixture of synthetic blood and whisky.
    “Oh, there you are. I hope you don’t mind, but I helped myself.” Russell filled his glass and poured another one for Zoltan.
    “What’s going on?” Zoltan sat across from Russell.
    “Do you want him to hear this?” Russell tilted his head toward Howard.
    “I’m not leaving.” Howard reached for a donut.
    “Hear what?” Zoltan asked. “I was in the middle of something, so this had better—”
    “It’s important,” Russell said. “Howard told me you were meeting an Amazon warrior tonight. So you found the women who made the arrow you took from me?”
    “Yes.” Zoltan leaned forward, his elbows on the table. “What can you tell me about them?”
    “Not much. They’re a secretive