I roll my eyes. “It was the first thing that came to mind.”

“A toothy, flesh-eating fish?”

“Yeah, exactly. Perfect.”

He quietly laughs again—a crystal current of delight that tickles my dick. “A toothy fish you would dearly like to kiss. Hmm?”

Somehow, we’re facing each other. I don’t recall turning. Our mouths are so close his breath warms my lips. I slip my hands around his waist to push his pelvis into mine. A groan rumbles through my throat when his hardness presses against my own. I want him so badly my hands tremble. The pulse of his presence beats with the pump of my own heart.

Resting his hands on my hips, he leans his forehead against mine, and I breathe him in. His warmth, his rich scent, his thrumming force. He brushes my lips with his, and I claim that luscious pout, sinking my tongue into his silken warmth. He tastes as succulent as he smells, like chocolate wine. I push my tongue farther to explore his sinful mouth. He receives my passion with slow, sensual grace, opening to allow my advances, drawing me deeper.

And I fall. Spinning.

Into a dark sky. Into rich midnight pastures. Into a sensuous world of pure need. Our fingers grip clothing to tug each other closer. Our hips undulate, thrusting to match the rhythm of tongues desperate for deeper entry. A sound not dissimilar to a purr emanates from Alexei’s chest. The Flame surges through me, meeting his power with a clash of bliss and light, dancing between us. Heat and ecstasy exchange through lips and hands and minds.

What’s happening?

I jerk away and meet black night, eyes like a dark abyss burning with triumph. And something else, something that shocks me. I would describe it as a fierce tenderness, but it’s more than that. A deep, fervent love—hot and endless. It echoes an earth-deep memory in my own soul. A recognition.

Panic steals my breath. I lean back. “What is this?”

“Destiny, Michael.”

“I don’t believe in that crap. You’re doing something to me. Compelling me. I’m Hazing.”

“Shhh.” He strokes hair from my eyes. “I cannot compel you. The Call is your natural birthright. And you are not falling into a Haze. You are falling into me.” Alexei moves his mouth to my ear. “Submit to me, beloved. Everything you need is in me.”

Master. The word rises from my heart like a whisper. I shake my head. Shove it away. Shit. I’ve just let him overwhelm me. I step back but have to hold his arms to steady my sinking knees.

“I’ll never say yes to that. Never. I’m nobody’s fucking slave.”

He tuts, his voice deepening. “Your bloodline must have a master, Mikhail. And though you are one of us, all Channelers must belong to a master until first blood. Even you, youngling.”