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She shook her head. “I really don’t know. I mean, it wasn’t the vampire’s fault her father was heartless and sold her, but at the same time, he could have set her free.”

“I see the logic in that, yes; he could have let her go.” The man nodded. “But perhaps he became enthralled by the woman and couldn’t let her go?”

Blaire bit on her lower lip in thought, and the man’s eyes lit up as he studied her before she shrugged lightly. “It could be something like that, but it’s only a fantasy. It’s not like reality. Real women don’t fall in love just because they’re trapped.” A fact she sorely wished her stepbrother would have accepted long ago.

Things didn’t happen this way. It was silly to entertain the idea.

He smiled and nodded at her. “There could be truth found there. I personally do not see it as far-fetched for a vampire to fall in love with a beautiful human girl,”—he waved a hand—“or vice versa.”

Blaire shook her head as Lukas crossed her mind. No way did she love him, so why in the world did he cross her mind? Sure, he was gorgeous and set her body on fire with a single touch. And his voice… she could be lulled to sleep nightly by the timbre of his speech if the words that came out of his perfect mouth weren’t so confusing. But none of that equaled love. That was basic attraction.

The man continued to watch Blaire, studying her as she sat lost in thought.

“Vincent!”

Blaire spun around upon hearing Lukas’s voice ring out through the cafeteria. He strode toward them, followed by Riley and Aiden. Speak of the Devil and he shall appear. Her face warmed, and she turned away when she met his eyes.

He clenched his jaw as Vincent gave him an amused grin.

Lukas stepped up behind Blaire’s chair, pressed against her back as he glared down at Vincent. Riley and Aiden took seats on either side of Blaire, watching closely.

Aiden smiled at Blaire, which relaxed her, distracting her from the hostility hovering over her head.

“Oh… so is this the chosen one?” Vincent said, sitting up in his chair, clearly entertained by the new arrivals. “The lucky vampire who fell for the beautiful human girl. Ah, I mean Vasirian.” He winked at Blaire, which in turn caused her blush to deepen.

“What the fuck do you want with her?” Lukas all but growled out.

Vincent lifted his hands in the air as if they had pulled a gun on him. “Now, now. No need to be defensive. I only wanted to meet the rare jewel who has become a part of our world.”

Lukas glared at him. “Yeah, you and every other Vasirian on campus.”

Vincent slowly stood from his seat. “She’s quite interesting, though. You can’t blame us.” He moved around to the side of the table and took Blaire’s hand, bringing it to his lips. “It was a pleasure meeting you, my dear. Hopefully, we will see each other again so you can tell me more about what happens between our fanged friend and his human lover. I’m intrigued to see how it plays out.”

Lukas growled and put his hands on Blaire’s shoulders, pulling her back so her hand slipped from Vincent’s grip.

Vincent chuckled and walked toward the exit as Lukas watched him, glaring.

Another loud rumble filled the cafeteria, and Blaire jerked in Lukas’s grip slightly. Aiden raised an eyebrow at her before moving from the chair beside Blaire into the seat Vincent had vacated to allow Lukas to sit next to Blaire instead.

“Did he do anything to you?” Lukas looked her over as if he expected to see bite marks.

If she had been bitten, everyone would know it, because she sure wouldn’t be sitting calmly in the cafeteria. No, she’d be running from this place as fast as her legs could carry her, contract be damned.

Blaire frowned and shook her head. “No. He was nice. I just didn’t know him.”

Riley said, “He’s Kai and Seth’s older cousin, Vincent Brandt. He’s in his last two years, and then he’ll be leaving Blackthorn.”

“Who’s Seth?”

Riley blushed. “Oh, remember? He’s Kai’s little brother I mentioned yesterday. You’ll probably meet him soon; he practically lives with Aiden.” She laughed, and Aiden rolled his eyes.

Lukas stared at Blaire, agitation on his face, but she tried to ignore it. She wasn’t sure if he was irritated with her or not. Sometimes she could breathe wrong, and he’d be pissed off, but in the same breath, he’d assure her she was safe, show her she was safe. Even running off Vincent came across as a misguided act of protection rather than just being a jerk.

Aiden looked at Blaire. “So, what did Vincent mean by wanting to hear about what happens between ‘our fanged friend and his human lover’ exactly?”

Lukas tensed up, and he looked at Aiden as if thankful Aiden asked the question. She didn’t understand him at all.

Blaire’s cheeks turned hot again, and she snatched up her novel from the table to stuff it into the backpack on the floor, but Lukas was faster. He grabbed the book from her hand before she could stop him. He stared at the cover and then looked back up at her with an expression she couldn’t decipher. Like he’d lost his breath. He held the book up so Aiden could see the cover and title, Eternal Claiming.