Dal as blew out a breath. "What a jerk. I'l kick some sense into him the next time I see him."
"If I don't beat you to the punch," I said. He laughed, and I found myself laughing with him, forgetting my worries for a moment.
"Can we go back now? I think I'm getting a phone number tonight," Dal as said, grinning. "There's something about that redhead."
No doubt he had Cass in mind. From al the women in the world trust my brother to be attracted to a nerdy demon. It was a bad mix, like oil and water. If Dal as screwed up this relationship, her father would be on his trail, striking him with lightning bolts, sucking his soul into hel , tossing him in a fiery dungeon, and throwing away the key. Dating Cass was not going to happen in this lifetime.
"I was thinking Cass and I could watch a cool movie on Friday night at my pad. Any suggestions?" Dal as continued.
I tapped a finger against my lips, thinking. "Drag Me To Hel , Demon Hunter, Storm The Gates Of Hel , Succubus, Blue Demon —have your pick."
"Ah, I get it. She's into horror flicks big time. Do you think she'd wear those Hal oween horns on our first date?"
I sneered. "I have a sneaking suspicion she would." I had to get him out—and fast—before bad things happened, like producing offspring.
They'd give a new meaning to the expression 'demon child'. I got up and gave his shoulder a sympathetic squeeze. "I'm sorry to have to break it to you, but Cass's not available."
"She's what?" Dal as looked confused. I rol ed my eyes inwardly.
"She's seeing someone," I said. "Besides, the girl has issues." Maybe it wasn't even a lie, I consoled myself. Judging from the few books I'd read on demons, Cass probably had a new guy every weekend. Granted, the books had been fiction but, apparently, basing one's work on research was al the rage in literature.
Dal as's shoulders slumped. His expression betrayed disappointment. For a moment, I considered laughing it al off as a joke, but I had to remain strong even though I hated to see his hopes crushed. No way was I letting my brother get sucked into this crazy world. It was too late for me, but not for him.
"You sure?" Hope flickered in him, then died down like a blown-out candle as soon as I nodded. It wasn't like him to fal for someone at this speed. Maybe there was something about the demon, some sort of demonic thing that drew guys to her.
I gave him a tight hug and decided to change the subject before he started asking questions. "Thanks for bringing the stones. I'l cal you before I return to London."
He lifted his chin a notch and turned to the door. "Yeah, you do that." We climbed down the stairs in silence. Dal as hesitated as we reached the hal on the ground floor. "I should say goodbye."
Not if Cass kept spawning her weird magic on him. I put on my most compassionate expression. "I'l tel them for you." He didn't argue, just kissed my cheek, mumbled something about cal ing and took off through the backdoor, vanishing as fast as he had appeared only an hour ago. I watched him disappear into the darkness. For a while I just stood in the middle of the kitchen, rubbing my arms through the thin material of my shirt as a cold breeze blew in, ruffling the curtains. I always felt bad for lying to Dal as, but the thought that I had done the right thing consolidated me. No point in dragging him into this crazy world. The sooner I got out of it myself, the better. After returning to the living room and watching Cass's face drop when I mentioned Dal as's departure, I realised maybe the demon liked him more than I imagined.
Chapter 23
Cass excused herself and left soon after Dal as, and I saw my chance to leave too. After retrieving the backpack from the kitchen, I returned to my room and locked the door, then snuggled onto my bed, stil clothed. I clutched Cameron's photo to my chest, trying to conjure up happy moments we'd shared, but I couldn't remember any. The girl answering my cal , Cameron's voice and the giggle stil lingered in my mind. My eyes moistened.
I didn't feel hurt, just a little betrayed and pitiful. Cameron couldn't remain faithful for a few weeks, and al Aidan wanted was an old book. Why did I always get the nutcases?
The soft knock on the door jolted me out of my thoughts. I knew it was Aidan before he asked to come in. For a moment, I considered pretending not to hear him, but what was the point? I'd have to face him tomorrow anyway when we retrieved the book. Straightening up in bed, I inhaled to steady my racing heart when his footsteps departed down the corridor.
Whatever he had to say, he probably changed his mind. I dropped back on the bed, unable to shake off my sudden disappointment. What had I hoped for? The guy wasn't interested in any sort of commitment, which made him dangerous to my heart and sanity. And my soft spot for him wasn't helping my case either. I should be careful, run instead of seeking his proximity, but for some reason I needed to be close to him. What did I think he'd do once he had the book? He'd send me away. The more reason not to get involved, because it'd end up in tears—and surely not his.
Wood creaked near the window, startling me. I turned my head sharply and shrieked, the sound dying in my throat.
"A little jumpy, aren't we?" The tal girl, dressed in something that looked like a sheer, black nightgown with slits on both sides of her hips and along the legs, laughed. Countless rings and bracelets adorned her fingers and wrists.
I shot to my feet, ready to bolt out the door, then stopped as my curiosity got the better of me. "Who're you?"
"Wel , we know who you are, you boyfriend-stealing hussy." The girl stood with her back turned to the window, the soft light of the lamp catching in her raven hair and throwing shadows on her porcelain skin. Her cat-like eyes seemed to fol ow my every move, but her features betrayed no emotions. There was no need for it anyway because her eyes said it al . She had the superior air of someone who knew she might have competition, but certainly not in this room.
"Has Aidan kept my existence a big secret?" she said. "By the look in your eyes, I can tel he has. Now I'm offended." She took a step forward, long, lean legs peering between the splits in her nightgown. For a second, I thought I saw a thin snake wrapped around her ankle. But the il usion disappeared. "I'm Layla. You could cal me his—" She trailed off, leaving the rest to my imagination.
Staring at the generous cleavage threatening to spil out of the thin material of her dress, I could definitely see why any guy would fal for her, but the name rang a bel somewhere at the back of my mind. Layla. Aidan had almost been kil ed by someone cal ed Layla. Was this the same person?
I clenched my fists, my temper flaring. I knew I should be afraid—whatever Layla was, she was strong enough to imprison a vampire—but, for some reason, I felt I could deal with her. "What do you want from me?"
"I know how you feel, little mortal." Layla took another step forward. "Look at you, al lost and forlorn in this world you didn't know existed."
Another step, and she reached the edge of the bed. "Give him up, and I'l let you return to your previous life." She picked up Cameron's picture and nodded. "He's pretty hot. What a shame you don't have him on your arm."
"We broke up. He needed his space," I said, dryly.
"He didn't want you." Her eyes flickered with amusement. "I can change that. How would you like it if you could have him back?"
"I don't want that cheater." I shook my head, realising I had no idea what I had ever seen in Cameron.
"I promise he'd never ever cheat on you again," Layla said. "He'd love you with a passion he never knew existed. Surely you've had enough of this supernatural world. I can make you forget the last few days ever happened. Just go back to the one you love. He's waiting for you this very moment. Say the words and you'l never know sadness and despair in your lifetime."
I narrowed my eyes. "Why even ask me? Can't you just do it, and then al of your problems wil go away?"
She sighed. "If only it were that simple. This kind of magic has to have your blessing to work."
If Cameron didn't want me for who I was, then why bother? No love potion or magic would fix that deep down it'l al be an il usion. Camer
on would only love me because he had a big hex on him. But I was sold on the promise of having my old life back, which I'd wanted ever since coming here. Aidan wasn't mine to begin with. Leaving him behind shouldn't prove a hard task. So, why the hesitation?
Layla's fake smile vanished. "You should be jumping at the opportunity. I can make this boy love you. I can make the two of you rich beyond your wildest dreams. I can give you both prestigious jobs that you've been longing for your entire life. You'l never have to clean somebody's house again.
Just imagine how proud your parents would be."
I stared at her calmly. Why did she hurt Aidan? The question burned on my tongue. I shouldn't care, but I couldn't help it. "What happens to Aidan if I leave?"
My words seemed to take Layla by surprise. She blinked a few times, then moistened her lips. "Wel , that depends on him, of course. I'l leave the decision in his capable hands. Disloyalty usual y results in harsh punishment."
He'd tried to save me from whatever I'd brought upon myself when I solved the riddle. How exactly had he been disloyal to Layla? I brushed a hand over my jeans as I gathered my thoughts, forming a plan. "I'm only a humble employee who stumbled into this mess by accident. I assure you I have no ties to anybody in this supernatural world."
"He picked you—" Layla looked me up and down "—and the reason's beyond me. I could've given him anything he wanted, but he decided to pursue this bond thing. Not the wisest choice, if you ask me."
My heart skipped a beat. It wasn't al about the book. Aidan truly believed in a bond and wanted me over this stunning girl with her gorgeous skin and sultry mouth. Somewhere inside my mind a voice screamed to run and let the vampires sort out this mess since they were better equipped to deal with whatever Layla was, but I had never been the cowardly type. I placed my hands on my hips and took a pace forward, glaring up at Layla.
"You may be the prettier one, but he's not into the bitchy type."
Layla's gaze narrowed. "What did you just cal me?" Several hissing snakes crawled from under her dress, slithering around her legs.
Maybe crossing her hadn't been such a good idea. Gulping, I backed off slowly toward the door. The snakes slithered across the floor like some sort of guard dogs. I never feared reptiles, but I also never stood so close to them before.
Talk about skeletons in one's closet. Aidan sure knew how to pick his girlfriends. First a crazed kil er, and then psycho Medusa. This girl was as dangerous and obsessive as Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction—even had the crazy, bulging eyes to prove it. If she looked at me any harder I'd soon turn into stone.
"I'l think about your proposition and let you know," I said, paralysed by fear. My heart hammered in my chest, my palms were slick with sweat.
"Thanks for stopping by. Please take your stones with you on your way back. They're in that backpack over there." I pointed at Dal as's bag, then stretched out a shaking hand, secretly praying she wouldn't shake it, and curled my mouth into a smile.
Ignoring my outstretched hand, Layla scoffed. "They'l soon pulverise into dust. Now, who said my offer stil stands? It was just a gesture of goodwil , and I don't usual y do goodwil ."
The snakes slithered closer until they stood mere inches from my feet. I pressed my mouth shut. A squeal remained trapped in my throat as I lifted my head a notch. Rivulets of sweat trickled down my spine. Would Layla's pets attack? I kicked my brain into gear, struggling to come up with a plan to bluff my way out of this situation.
"You want Aidan, I don't." I cringed at my lie. "I'l make it easy for you and leave so you can have him."
"As if I ever needed your cooperation." Layla scoffed, raising her hand. The light of the lamp caught in her rings. "Once I get rid of you, he'l be mine anyway. Guys need diversion. He had his fun, now he'l be eager to come back to me."
I quel ed a nervous laugh. My bluff wasn't working. So much for my plan to play the strong girl who doesn't need a guy to protect her. Time for plan B: run, and let the immortals fight my battle. I dashed for the door, but the snakes moved faster, draping around my ankle like huge cuffs. With a hard thud, I toppled forward and banged my head against the wal , the impact knocking the air out of my lungs. I turned in time to see Layla towering over me, a wicked smile playing on her lips.
My ankle throbbed when I lifted my leg and kicked, hitting Layla somewhere below the knee. I could feel the vibration running through my body, but Layla didn't even budge.
For a moment, she looked stunned, then annoyance crossed her face and her cheeks turned an ugly reddish colour. "You didn't just try that."
Pushing up on my elbows, I scrambled to my feet when I felt a sharp pain in my upper thigh. I looked down at the large head of a snake sinking its teeth into my skin, two rivulets of blood spiral ing down my leg, and screamed as loudly as my lungs would al ow.
Chapter 24
Aidan
Cass had promised to ensure the Shadows would play fair. But Cass was a demon and they weren't exactly trustworthy material. I took off my shirt and threw it on the sofa in my bedroom, then dropped down beside it, absorbed in my thoughts.
I knew Amber heard me outside her door. That she decided to pretend otherwise annoyed the heck out of me. What had I done to cause her mistrust? Others met their mate, fel for one another and lived happily ever after. Why couldn't Amber and I do the same? Was that too much to ask for?
Maybe I was giving up too quickly. If the girl wanted to be pursued, then so be it. Sighing, I jumped up and retrieved a clean shirt from the wardrobe when a vision appeared before my eyes. I blinked and looked around, confused. My sight blurred again, the bond with Amber sending out a message I didn't understand. Maybe Amber was thinking of me, unconsciously sending out those vibes, drawing me to her again. It was new terrain to me. True love bonds weren't exactly a common occurrence in the paranormal world. Consequently, no one knew a great deal about them.
The few who found their mates didn't share their experience so their weaknesses wouldn't be exposed.
I shrugged into the shirt, considering my next step, when Amber's scream pierced the air. In two long strides, I reached the door and sped down the stairs to her room. From the corner of my eye, I noticed my brother close behind me, asking something I didn't understand. Ignoring him, I didn't stop until I reached Amber's room and yanked the door open.
Amber lay sprawled on the floor, motionless, several snakes slithering around her body. I let out a deafening roar and dropped next to her, only then noticing the tal girl leaning against the wal . Layla. No need to ask what she'd done. Her self-satisfied smirk said it al . Something snapped inside me and al reason disappeared.
"I'm going to kil you." In one fluent movement I charged for Layla's throat, ready to rip it to shreds. She stepped to the side, eyes glinting as though she enjoyed a playful encounter with a lover.
"Oh, Aidan, you should see yourself. You look like a raging bul . If only I had a red cape. Andale! Andale!" Layla giggled like a child.
I prepared to pounce again, barely aware of my brother coming up behind me, grabbing me by my shoulders and pul ing me back. Kicking, I let out another roar and fought against Kieran's iron grip.
"No! She'l kil you too." Kieran's voice seemed to carry over from far away, lingering somewhere at the verge of my perception, but I didn't want to control my anger. Layla had gone too far by attacking my mate.
Fate screeched in my ear to hurry up, or Amber would die. I turned and kicked Kieran in the gut, then spun to face the succubus. The snakes slithered across the floor with their mouths agape, forked tongues flicking in and out. I didn't fear her pets—it was Layla's touch that could prove fatal because it could make me lose my wil . In physical strength and abilities, she wouldn't stand a chance against me—so long I didn't let her come too close.
"Nice to see you too, Harry Houdini. My, you're quite the escape artist," Layla said.
"I would've said goodbye but, you know, I was a little tied up." I ambled backward and planted myself in front of
Amber. I could teleport Amber to another place, but that wouldn't keep Layla from coming after her.
"I'l let it slip by this time." Layla ran a finger down her thigh. "Nice pecks. No idea how you find the time to look this delicious with such a busy work schedule. I bet the girls at the beach go nuts when you rub baby oil al over that sculpted chest of yours." She laughed, the shril , unnatural sound irritating my ears. "Oh wait, that couldn't happen. What with being a vampire and al . Must suck to take your dips in the ocean at night with only the boring, old moon watching you. Then again, you like boring things." She pointed at Amber. I cringed.
"Don't," Kieran whispered, sensing my fury. "She isn't worth it."
Layla continued, "How could she possibly know what you need? She's nothing but a stupid girl. I'm an immortal demi-goddess. Any man would kil himself just to catch a glimpse of me."
My temper flared up again. Blood rushed through my veins, ready to turn me into the crazed maniac Rebecca once was, if I didn't control it. "You mean until you tire of me like of al the others, and then turn me into your personal slave, captured and tortured for eternity." I snorted and kneeled down next to Amber. "Thanks, but I'l pass."
Slowly, I moved my hand to the sheath bound at my calf. My fingers clasped the fire whip when Layla said, "It doesn't matter. Given the chance, they'd do it again."
"Is that statement based on experience, or on your own narrow-minded, self-centred assessment?" I pul ed out the whip and lashed. Fire burned bright where it hit Layla's skin.
For a moment, Layla's eyes widened, surprise crossing her features. When the flames scorched her chest, burning the sheer material of her dress, she cried out.
"You like rough, Aidan. I can do rough. I highly doubt your little porcelain dol could handle half of what I can take." The snakes hissed angrily, but didn't attack. Layla stifled the flames with her bare palm and took a step back. Her voice came low and menacing, barely audible. "You've just attacked a member of the Lore court. For this you'l be punished with death."