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I slapped him across the face. Not punched. Slapped. Because I knew how to piss people off, and angry people made mistakes.
I grimaced. “I could’ve chewed that myself.”
“I really don’t mind chewing it…”
Too bad kicking a dead body was in bad taste.
I could irritate the most patient of people. Misdirection was my superpower.
“How do you reproduce?” I blurted. Of all the questions I could’ve asked.
“I am supposed to kill you, right? We aren’t getting ready for a thumb war?”
I needed to get me one of those sheets!
Thanks for the walk on the wild side, but I’ll be showing myself out.” I’d be trying to rob some gold while I did it, too.
I made my way around the extremely expensive and probably stolen golden chair, scratching a little to see if any gold would flake off. What could I say, I was an opportunist. Behind, a wall of swampy vampires stood in my way.
“We are wasting time. Tell me what allows you to see in the dark.” “We’re wasting time because you’re a narcissist and only think your questions matter, is that it?” “Yes. Tell me.”
I tapped the leather pouch surrounding my hips. “This baby makes it so you don’t have supplies hanging off you like a donkey.” “It is still hanging off you, just in a different place. Donkey.” He sniffed in humor. Or was it disdain? It was hard to tell with him.
“So, back to you, something I know you love talking about. What about holy water? And you never answered my question about the blessed crosses.”
“Why unlucky? If I were fae, you wouldn’t be my friend. Then who would you ambush with rock-men and mostly hidden underground spells?”
Darius asked, his stride perfectly matching mine. He was only hinting at rushing me. Very polite.
What if I suddenly decide to jump and don’t have time to talk myself out of it?
“I still owe you a punch in the mouth for stealing my mark. Know that.” I schooled my annoyance.
“Hold my back again, please.” I felt his fist close around the belt of my leather pouch. “No, not there.” I tapped his hand upward. “What if the belt breaks free and I fall in? It’s old. Grab clothes.” “Something is wrong with you.” “I know. You’ve said.” He did as instructed.
“How is this—” “Shhhh!” I looked around for a boogeyman. “How is this different enough for you not to need my help?” he whispered. “Because I’m crouching near the ground. Trust me, this all makes sense in my head.”
“Recognize this?” I held up the magical casing for Darius to inspect. When he reached for it, though, I pulled it back. “Not so fast. I’m not giving you all the leverage. Steal my mark once, shame on you. Steal my evidence twice, shame on me.” His eyes fluttered and he shook his head. “This must be another circumstance that only makes sense…” “Exactly.” I stood and held it up for his inspection, ready for grabby hands.
“I am ready to dangle you over the water again.” He stared down at me, utterly serious.
He held out his hand. When I reached for the proffered token, he pulled it away and tsked. “Finders keepers.” “Mature.”
Without warning, I snatched at the casing. Darius yanked it away just in time, leaving my fingers to glance off his closed fist. “Only turtles would be jealous of your speed.” Darius tucked his prize away. “I was close. Admit it,” I said, continuing on.
“Sometimes, you seem so naive, almost useless, in your approach. Other times, like now, you are truly eye-opening, Reagan Somerset. It’s like beholding a goddess. I almost can’t believe you’ve touched down in the world of mortals.”
I said, unsure how to reply because, despite the really sweet part of that comment, half of it was a bitch slap.
The dripping stopped and I groped wildly for more, finding a smooth face and latching my palms on to the cheeks. I claimed the full, warm lips, which quickly moved against mine. Passion rose up between us. A moan welled in my throat. But as good as it felt, the taste of that delicious, lifesaving decadence was missing. I pushed away. Sunlight danced in my eyes, but I didn’t have to squint. The most beautiful man, with gorgeous honey eyes, gazed down at me. His muscular arms held me on his lap as we sat in the middle of a bright green meadow.
I leaned my head back as kisses trailed down my neck, making me shiver. When Darius sucked in the sensitive skin on my neck, I twisted so I could wrap my legs around his middle. His hardness was now right where I needed it. If it weren’t for these danged clothes, he could enter me. Over and over. “Taste me,” I groaned as a fang trailed along my artery. “Take me, Darius.” His fingers snaked through my hair and he made a fist, clutching tightly. His other hand hardened at the base of my neck, trapping me in his hold. A surge of desperation overcame me—a need so strong that I was panting with
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Darius rose slowly, the bulge in his pants prominent and a little smile tickling his lips. “My, my. What layers you have, my lovely Reagan. So much passion. So much fire. Come. Let me taste you.” The shiver racing across my body turned into a heebie-jeebies dance. “Stop it. Did you feed me blood? Or what was it, and when does this acid trip wear off? Because I’m seeing things.” Those delicious eyes glimmered with sex and mischief. My core pounded so hard that I wondered if it would dislodge from my body and skitter across the field. “I am quite aroused, Reagan. Vampires my age usually only
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Mental note: green light for shooting Darius in the leg to prevent sexy times and possibly fall under his enchanting vampire spell.
Shooting you was strangely gratifying.”
“Who else wishes you harm?” A strange ruthlessness filled his voice. It almost sounded possessive.
Hunger flashed in his eyes. “Let’s wait and see.” The next moment, confusion bled through his expression. He minutely shook his head. “I apologize for how that sounded. I meant, if you need more of their blood, you might need something to reduce the craving.”
He took a deep breath, staring at me. It was a reaction I hadn’t seen yet. I had no idea what it meant. Slowly, he shook his head before eyeing the unicorn. “Okay.” “Lovely. Go play in the meadow with little Max.” “This is a female.” “Little Lucy, then.”
“You act in such a gentlemanly way, but you say such dickish things. How do you manage the dichotomy?” “With aplomb.”
Darius stepped closer and leaned into my space protectively. I tried to push him back with an elbow. He nudged my elbow out of the way.
“It’s doubtful those who do will be able to use them. I will not be angry if they are returned.” I narrowed my eyes at him. I doubted he knew that I had pocketed the spell he’d given me in the unicorn paddock, but he’d clearly noticed the ones I’d used my five-finger discount on in his chamber. I mean, they were just sitting there, staring at me as I made my way out. “That was a dig at me, wasn’t it?” “Yes,” he said.
“Let’s not think of me as a guest. Think of me as a stray cat that you are hesitant to feed lest I stay, but you pity me enough to toss me a few scraps. Seriously. That’s the way you should treat this whole situation.”
She got a thumbs-up, too. I was passing them out like business cards.
“Working. Is that what you call constantly badgering my employee for information you are not entitled to?” He stepped in my path. “Yes. Why, what do you call it?”
Darius said, his pupils dilating in a sexual sort of hunger. His hand now splayed across my back possessively.
“Sorry, the city was talking to me, and I like it better than you.” I gave him a grin to say I was joking.
“I sure hope so. I’m laying it on pretty thick.
Darius lightly grabbed my arm. He was reaching in instead of walking in. “It is too hot for my liking. I will not be grieved by my inability to take a bath with you.”
will screw you, yes. Very softly at first, until you are mewling and writhing. Then, when you beg me just right, I will screw you hard, deeply, until you are screaming for holy damnation. I will be the only thing you think about for the rest of your life.”
“Margaret,” I said, drawing her attention my way. “You need to break up this neighborhood. It’s gotten weird, sweetie. The witch next door was clearly insane before he elevated to mage, your neighbor is looking for thrills while her husband stands by, you’re dabbling in spells way above your pay grade…” I touched her arm. “The first step is admitting you have a problem.” She blinked at me for a moment, her face white. “Please don’t bite me. Or hurt me.” “Good. A normal response. Thank you.”
“What are you going to do now?” My body filled with heat. I couldn’t contain the rage. “See how that house-burning bastard likes it when someone wanders into his home and lights shit on fire.” Mikey started to laugh. “Atta girl. Show that rat bastard that crazy is as crazy does.”
Who was this guy, Gandalf?
“Who said anything about marriage? Good Lord, no. Do yourself a favor: don’t move in with him. Then he’ll be expecting you to cook and clean—no. Just take him for a spin and return him if he breaks. That’s the best bet.”
Everyone is crazy. It’s the people who go with it, and admit it, that you can trust. So you be crazy, girl. Give that rat bastard hell.”
I buckled a knife to my ankle for overkill, because if the gun didn’t work, and the spells didn’t work, and my magic didn’t work, a knife certainly wouldn’t save the day. Still, you never knew.
