Mallory had been alone for centuries, a vampire-siphoner hybrid rejected by her coven. Desperate for companionship, she spent a decade crafting a ritual to summon someone who wouldn’t see her as a freak. The magic chose him—Kol Mikaelson.

She gathered the final ingredient—a banshee’s hair—and completed the ritual in her remote Scottish hideout. The vision revealed a handsome vampire outside a pale house. Without hesitation, she teleported to him, landing outside a chaotic scene. Peering inside, she saw her person—Kol—grinning as he prepared to chop off a restrained man’s arm.

Before he could strike, a dark-haired female vampire sped down the stairs, shoving Kol and stabbing him with his own blade. Mal growled low, black eyes flashing. Unacceptable. The boy, Jeremy, turned the kitchen faucet on Kol, vervain-infused water burning his skin.

Fury surged through Mal. With a snarl, she shattered the window, sending shards flying—except toward Kol, whom she shielded. When Jeremy grabbed a stake, Mal ripped it from his grip, power thrumming in the air as she stepped through the wreckage.

Her gaze locked onto her prey, but first, she needed to protect Kol. A quick incantation shielded him before she lifted him to her side. “It's okay, I'm here now. I won't let them hurt you anymore." She tried for reassuring, not sure why the soon to be dead pair inside the house seemed to be choking on nothing at her words. Didn't they believe she could protect her person? She snarled viciously causing both to stumble back an alarmed step away from the gaping window hole. Jeremy and the vampire girl paled in terror. A large hand settled on her shoulder, stroking gently. Mal froze, a rusty purr slipping out.

Kol chuckled, dark amusement in his eyes. “Well, this is unexpected, darling. Who might you be then?”