Dante? Nadine's concerned voice filtered through his head. What's wrong?

Dante couldn't help the growl that came out of his mouth as he stepped closer to the scene before him. Stay in the carriage. He forced his feet to move forward, his boots squishing against the blood-soaked ground. The scene in front of him was a bloodbath. The four men were torn apart, limbs separated from their bodies.

Dante's fangs lengthened at the scent of blood and pure danger. One of his own had created this scene of terror. He could smell a familiar scent lingering in the air around him. He didn't like that he hadn't sensed the danger before now.

"You smell of a woman," a voice sneered to his right.

Dante took a deep breath before turning to face the owner of the voice. "Borus," Dante sighed. His shoulders slumped slightly at the sight in front of him. Borus was an old friend of his, someone that he had grown up with. The man who now stood before him was different. His eyes were glowing red. Borus' fangs lengthened as they dripped with blood. He had given in to the sickness that rattled Dante's brain before he found Nadine.

"The smell in you is sweet," Borus hummed as he licked at the blood on his claws. "These men had a faint scent of hers, but you reek of it." His eyes searched the small clearing frantically. "Where is the woman?"

Dante shook his head, his body tightening, ready for a fight. Some vampires still went after the women of his kind. They weren't searching for lifelong mates; they instead searched for a breeder. "She's not here."

Borus's eyes snapped to his, narrowing into dangerous slits. "Don't lie to me, Dante," he growled. "You were never a good liar."

Dante's teeth ground as he ensured his body was between Borus and Nadine. He wasn't going to allow Borus to find Nadine. "She is not here. There is no woman in this camp." Please, stay quiet, he begged Nadine.

Borus cleaned the blood off his claws before giving Dante another hard look. "That answer would be easier to accept if I couldn't smell her on you." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "One more time, Dante, and answer me truthfully. Where is the woman?"

Dante opened his mouth to repeat his answer when he heard a strong voice behind him. "I'm right here," Nadine's voice rang out through the clearing. Dante turned to look at her, his breathing fuming. Nadine gave him a leveled look before moving her attention back to Borus. "Are you responsible for this mess?" she asked him, her arm moving out to the four men destroyed around the still roaring fire.

Borus puffed out his chest and nodded. "I am." His eyes roamed down Nadine's body, causing a dangerous growl to fall out of Dante's mouth. "You'd be perfect for me."

Dante stepped in front of Nadine, wanting to be between her and his old friend, but Nadine touched his chest. She gave him a knowing and pleading look. Let me, she pleaded with him through their connection.

I don't want him near you, Dante responded to her. His eyes never left Borus.

"I have been searching for you, my dear," Borus smiled wide as his arms were held wide on either side of him. "You will be a Queen by my side."

Nadine put on a sweet smile as she cocked her head at him. "You're that powerful?"

Borus nodded, pride seeping into his eyes. "I am." Dante watched as Borus's nostrils flared. "You smell too much like my friend." Borus's eyes roamed her body once more. "I will have to fix that."

Dante growled deeply as he pushed Nadine behind him. "Leave now, Borus. I do not wish to make you."

The red in Borus's eyes shined brighter as he glared at Dante. "You are not her keeper," he growled. "I want her as mine."

Dante widened his stance, preparing to fight someone he once called a friend. "You will have to get through me, Borus. I won't give my mate up easily."

Borus laughed. "She is your mate? She reeks of spilled blood caused by her own hands. This woman deserves to be with someone who has the same stains." Borus held out both hands, showing how his fingers were stained blood red. "I am that male. Be wise, Dante, and give her to me."

Get back in the carriage, Dante ordered Nadine.

No. Nadine placed her hands against Dante's back. We are partners in this world. Whoever you fight, I fight. Her nails scraped down his back as she moved to stand beside him. Besides, I can fight.

Dante wanted to argue with her but knew she wouldn't listen to him. He believed that she could fight. He never doubted that, but he did want her safe. Fine, he sighed. Stay close to me. Dante let his claws and fangs lengthen. "You will never have her, Borus. She is mine. I claimed her as mine."

Borus let out a high-pitched scream as he charged at Dante with lightning speed. Dante prepared his body for Borus's weight, digging his heels into the ground. Borus growled at Dante as Dante slammed him onto the dirt. Dante kept a hand around Borus's throat. "Stop this now, Borus!"

Borus clawed at Dante's hand, dragging his claws through his skin. "Never!" he hissed.

Dante saw movement before him; he looked up to see Nadine grabbing one of the men's swords. She ran back to him, stopping at Borus's head. "Keep him still," Nadine ordered.

Dante couldn't help the pride welling up in his chest. "Yes, mate."

Borus's eyes snapped up in time to see the point of the sword push between his eyes. Nadine grunted as she pushed the blade down until Borus lay still underneath them. Dante, ensuring Borus was dead, stood up and wrapped his arms around Nadine. He brought her flushed against his chest. Breathing in her scent helped calm his rapidly beating heart.

"I'm fine, Dante," Nadine reassured him, placing her hands flat against his chest. "You need to finish him."

Dante forced himself to let go of his mate. "I know." He turned to Borus's body and took a deep breath. He had never thought that he would have to destroy someone he once knew. He had indeed defeated other vampires who had given in to the sickness, but he had never known any of them personally. Destroying his friend was hard. Dante knelt beside Borus's body and plunged his fist into his chest. Taking out Borus's heart, he walked over to the fire, dumping it into the flames.

Nadine walked up to his side, placing her hand in his. She leaned her head against his shoulder. "What do we do now?"

Dante grounded his teeth. "I'm taking you to my home."