Chapter 5

Vander was intrigued by the blonde and felt drawn to her. From the moment he saw her he wanted to share pleasure with her. As he spent more time around her, though it wasn't all happy, he wanted to learn more about her. When he had heard her soul was broken and then saw her dazed look when Farron asked what happened, he had wanted to pull her from Bix's arms and hold her in his own. He had wanted to make things right and he didn't even know what was wrong. Vander had been confused by his thoughts so he had pushed them aside at the time.

He listened intently as she introduced her tatsu, knowing that if he was going to get close to her he should know her family. When she transformed into her Draco star dress though, he figured it out. Her eyes turned to slits, her muscles tightened, and if he looked closely he could see scales starting to form. Piecing it all together he realised he was her mate. Shock ran through his system and he didn't know if he was ecstatic at having a soulmate, something he had secretly hoped for his whole life after finding out two of his siblings had one out there somewhere, or terrified because of his job.

If the Steel Council, Grendance especially, found out he had someone close to him that wasn't his family, they would find her and use her to control him. As long as he was a bloodhunter they wouldn't be able to be together.

With that in mind Vander slipped into his shadows as soon as she turned her attention back to his siblings. Despite having every intention of putting some distance between them until he could figure out how to keep her safe, he couldn't bring himself to leave the area. He watched as she hugged his siblings and accepted their kin bonds. And he continued watching as she seemed to be searching for him. He saw the moment she realized he wasn't there, watched as disappointment and sadness washed over her face for only a moment before she straightened herself up and smiled. It was like she put on a mask, the smile not reaching her eyes. Vander didn't like it and without even thinking pulled her into the shadows with him.

He was mildly surprised when Lucy didn't scream at the falling sensation or the fact that she had more or less been kidnapped. Instead she had thrown her head back into his and then bent his thumb backward before pinning his arm behind his back.

"Ow. Fuck. Let go."

Recognition flashed across Lucy's face as she realized who's arm she currently had twisted backward.

"Oh my Mavis. I'm so sorry Vander. I thought someone was trying to kidnap me again."

Lucy quickly let go and stepped away, but then ended up falling out of the shadows at the lack of contact between them.

Vander sighed and reappeared in front of her before grabbing her hand and disappearing again, only this time it was only to travel back to Bix's house.

"So. You get kidnapped often?"

"Yes actually."

Vander blinked, not really expecting that answer. He would leave that conversation for later though. There was something else they needed to discuss.

"... I expect an explanation later. For now though we need to talk."

"Sure. What about?"

"I know I'm your mate."

Lucy studied Vander a moment and the tense set to his shoulders and serious expression on her face immediately had her assuming the worst.

"Oh."

It was all she could say. She couldn't read his mind, she had no way of knowing what he was thinking or feeling for that matter. She looked at the ground and waited for the rejection she could hear coming. Even though he was the only one for her didn't mean he couldn't be happy with someone else. Maybe there already was someone else. She didn't know him, they had literally just met.

Vander sighed as Lucy seemed to withdraw into herself. Despite knowing it would make what he had to say harder he moved to hold her. To wrap his arms around her and hopefully comfort her. Even if this was the only time he would get to do this, he knew this is what she needed right now.

Lucy stiffened when she felt him wrap her arms around her before relaxing. It felt so right to be in his arms like this. His touch alone soothed her insecurities.

"Starlight. I want so much to be with you. But we can't. Not yet. There are some things you need to know. Things I haven't even told my family. Fuck. I've secretly wanted a soulmate my whole life. That one person who is made for you, and will love you unconditionally. We can't mate yet though. If we did it would only endanger not only you but your entire tatsu."

"What do you mean?"

Vander sighed.

"I never asked to be a bloodhunter. Word got out that I was a shadowquip and when I went to enlist in the military like everyone else I was taken away and forced to be a bloodhunter. To make sure we understand our place, the Steel Council uses our loved one's against us. My partner lost his parents and then later his wife and daughter because of the Steel Council. My family is safe for the most part. If they were to suddenly go missing it would raise suspicion. But even so I know at least one bloodhunter has gotten close to Xally, and he will shoot if told to. You and your tatsu though? If they found out about you, which they would, they always do, they'd take you too. I can't put you at risk like that. I want to be your mate more than anything, Starlight. But I can't do that without putting a target on your head and the heads of everyone you hold dearly."

Lucy's eyes lined with tears as she held onto him tightly. She didn't say anything. Just held on as tightly as she could. After a while, she let go and grabbed his hand, pulling him to her room. She closed her door but purposely chose not to activate the silencing runes as she made her way to her bed and forced Vander to lay down. They would not mate right then. One day they would be able to, she would make sure of that. But at that moment she was going to soak up all the time she could get with him and hold on as tightly as she could. As they laid in bed holding onto each other and Vander's fingers ran through her hair, she started plotting how to free him. She was going to destroy the Steel Council and free her mate if it was the last thing she did.