Marked (House of Night, #1)

by P.C. Cast

I have Marked you as my own. You will be my first true U-we-tsi-a-ge-ya v-hna-i Sv-no-yi … Daughter of Night … in this age. You are special. Accept that about yourself, and you will begin to understand there is true power in your uniqueness. Within you is combined the magic blood of ancient Wise Women and Elders, as well as insight into and understanding of the modern world.

Every High Priestess is given an affinity—what you would probably think of as special powers—by the Goddess. It’s part of the way we identify our High Priestesses. The affinities can be unusual cognitive skills, like reading minds or having visions and being able to predict the future. Or the affinity can be for something in the physical realm, like a special connection to one of the four elements, or to animals.

I don’t imagine you’ll want to join, but you still have the right to keep the dress. Especially because you look so much better in it than she ever did.” He reached forward and took my hand (the one that wasn’t clutching my cat), and turned it over so that my wrist faced up. Then he took his finger and traced the vein that was close to the surface there, making my pulse jump crazily. “And you should also know that I’m the guy for you if you decide you might like to try another sip of blood. Keep that in mind, too.”

HELLO??!!?

Erik bent and, still looking in my eyes, he lightly bit the pulse point at my wrist before kissing the spot softly. This time the fluttery feeling in my stomach was more intense. It made the inside of my thighs tingle and my breathing deepen. His lips still on my wrist he met my eyes and a shiver of desire passed through my body. I knew he could feel me tremble. He let his tongue flick against my wrist, which made me shiver again. Then he smiled at me and walked away into the pre-dawn light.

“Well, not that it’s any of my business, but—” “It is your business,” he said quickly. And then, totally and utterly shocking me, he took my hand. “At least I’d like it to be your business.”