I snorted. Was she real y playing the innocent card here? "You tried to kil a mortal. I only acted in my own right."
"Tried?" She laughed. "Who says your mate won't die?"
"I do." I wanted to kil her, but I didn't have time for a fight. Saving Amber's life was my priority. So, sending Layla a threat would have to do for the time being. I regarded her. "Seriously, Layla, what would your mother think? Fal ing for a vampire's beneath you. And stalking him day and night, sending your pets to kil the competition who just happens to be an innocent mortal who isn't even part of your court. Do you know your victim's not even eighteen? Your mother won't be pleased. Last I remember she was stil the one with al the power."
Layla's face turned into an ugly mask. "Say one word and you'l suffer my wrath, and so wil al of your sidekicks, like your pathetic brother and wimpy Clare."
"Whoa, did the hag just cal me a sidekick?" Kieran muttered. I nudged him in the ribs, praying my brother wouldn't pursue an argument for a change.
"It's in your best interest to stay away from us," I said. Layla loved revenge. I doubted my threat would keep her away from Amber, but it'd make her spend a few days plotting. Maybe she'd give me enough time to get the book so I could protect my mate day and night, and then get rid of the demi-goddess once and for al .
"Hold on a second," Kieran said. "Did you just cal me a sidekick? Like Robin to Batman? Like Donkey to Shrek, or Sam to Frodo? Isn't that precious?"
Kieran shutting his mouth was obviously too much to ask. I shot him an irritated look. "Let's get back to the topic at hand. Go away, Layla, or I swear I'l talk to your mother."
Layla puffed and moved to the window, the snakes slithering with her. "She'd never make you happy. I would because I'm a goddess." She threw me a glance over her shoulder, head tilted, revealing a slender neck and glossy, black hair, thick as a curtain.
Not tempting. Not like my Amber. I shook my head. "Find someone else. I'm not interested."
Her expression darkened. "I'l make sure to bring flowers to her grave." Shooting me another menacing grin, Layla dissipated into thin air, disappearing before my eyes. It wasn't over yet.
"Getting cocky's my thing, not yours," Kieran said, punching my shoulder. "And who do you decide to practice on—Layla of al people? Are you crazy? Now the hag wil come back, you idiot."
"Next time I'l be prepared."
Kieran rubbed a hand over his abdomen. "You frigging kicked your own flesh and blood. I won't be able to eat for a week."
I snorted. "I highly doubt that."
"Okay, so maybe for a few hours," Kieran said. "Payback's a bitch."
Ignoring him, I turned my attention to Amber. A sheen layer of sweat covered her forehead. Her eyes were closed, her mouth stood slightly open, her breath came in shal ow, ragged heaps. Could she hear me? I ripped open her top and jeans, examining her skin for wounds. There were several smal bruises on her upper arms and two smal punctures the size of a wasp sting on her left thigh where one of Layla's snakes must've bitten her. I could smel the blood where it had caked over.
"She's alive," Kieran said.
"Yes, but her heartbeat's faint."
Kieran let out a sigh before meeting my gaze. "We need to get her to a hospital. In case you haven't noticed we don't have antivenin. We're not equipped to handle her here."
I peered up at him. "And what exactly do we tel them? That we teleported over as fast as we could? That she was bitten by a pet snake of a demi-goddess who's obsessed with a vampire? They'l throw us both in the nuthouse."
"Padded cel s big time," Kieran said, nodding.
"They'd never figure out what species bit her." I pushed Kieran aside and squeezed my arms beneath Amber's knees and neck, scooping her up together with her shredded clothes. She stirred, but didn't open her eyes. "Hel , I doubt they've even discovered it yet." Standing my ground, I glared, preparing for battle if need be, but Kieran didn't argue. My brother stepped to aside and let me pass. A flash of understanding mixed with something else reflected in his gaze.
"Just don't turn her," Kieran whispered.
"I'l do what I deem right."
He held up his hands. "I can't stop you alone, but I'l get Clare. Two against one." He chuckled as he continued, "And don't forget the connections Clare has. She could cal an army if she wanted. They'd come in a heartbeat."
No connection Clare had was stronger than a vampire. "Interfere and I won't have a brother anymore," I muttered.
"What, no sidekick? You'l kil your own brother?"
I shook my head. "No, I'l denounce you and kick you to the curb. You've been living here without paying rent far too long anyway."
"Fine. I won't stop you," Kieran said. "You always say I make bad choices. I hope you two ride into the sunset and live happily ever after. Oh wait! That's not going to happen." He turned and walked away. How could loving Amber be a bad choice? Kieran would never understand until he found his own mate.
The corridor stood empty as I carried Amber to my bedchamber on the second floor and kicked the door shut with my leg. I lay her down on the bed and tore my shirt into wide strips that I wrapped a few inches beneath and above the punctures, then retrieved a dagger from my desk.
The bites, a nasty green colour, had swol en to the size of a smal egg. With the tip of the dagger I made a smal incision in the middle. The venom oozed out, soaking the remaining of my shirt. Amber pried her eyes open and twisted her leg as if to pul away, her hazy gaze looking right through me. A pained moan escaped her lips, beads of sweat covered her forehead. I was naïve to visit the Lore court and trust Layla would understand why a mortal shouldn't carry the prize. Now Amber suffered because of me.
I set my jaw and increased my pressure on her leg, forcing the venom out. When the swel ing deflated, I pressed my lips against her skin. The sweet flavour of her blood, intermingled with the bitter poison, spread in my mouth, making me faint for a moment. I forced myself to draw blood and spit it out until the taste of toxin dissipated, then bandaged the wound with strips of my shirt and ignited the logs in the fireplace. A strong flame lapped at the dried wood greedily, warming the room.
Amber barely stirred when I pul ed the covers over her pale body and tossed the soaked shirt into the fire. The venom sizzled in the heat. I teleported to the kitchen for a glass of water and some aspirin, then peeled off my jeans and snuggled next to her, pul ing her into the cave of my arm. I had done al I could to clean her blood, now I could only hope rest would get her back on her feet.
The scent of her blood lingered in the air, making me hungry. Amber moved and sighed, hands clenching and unclenching in a fitful slumber. I grinded my teeth against the temptation surging through my body. Why had I thought lying next to her, with her blood beckoning to me, would be an easy task? My fingertips grated her feverish skin, sending electric shocks through me. I groaned and turned my head to the side, trying to ignore the pain in my stomach. There she was, fighting death, and al I could think of was her blood. I draped my leg over the edge of the bed, wondering whether putting some space between us might help.
"You're a sight for sore eyes," Amber whispered, stirring next to me. I turned and found myself peering into her hazel eyes stil foggy from the shock. Kissing her forehead, I gave up any hope of spending some moments away from her enticing scent. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't leave her alone when she so clearly needed me.
Amber sat up groggily and scanned the floor. "Where are my clothes? How did I get here, in your room of al places?"
"I had to find the snake bite."
She cocked a brow. "What happened to your clothes? You got bitten too?"
"You're hilarious." I handed her two aspirin and the glass of water.
Her arm moved across my chest, holding me in place. "I'm okay." She sounded breathless. In spite of the seriousness of the situation, I found myself smiling.
"You're the worst liar ever. Just take them," I said, helping her up.
"Yes, Nurse Ratched." She grimaced
but swal owed the pil s nonetheless.
"Why don't you get some sleep?"
She batted her eyelashes. "Doctor's orders?"
"Yep. I even wrote you a prescription. Lot's of rest, kisses, hugs, and pampering. I'l make you breakfast in bed, right before daybreak." I placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
She laughed. "I hope your cooking's better than mine."
"You like cereal, right?"
"Thanks. You saved my life," she whispered. Her hand found mine, and our fingers intertwined. A jolt of energy rippled through me. My hunger stirred stronger than before. I bit on my lip until I drew blood, but the pain did nothing to stifle the sudden craving in my veins.
"Get some sleep," I said through gritted teeth.
Amber shook her head and lifted on her elbows, placing a peck on my cheek. My heart skipped a beat. Get a grip. It didn't mean anything because the girl was stil delirious from the venom.
She wrapped her arm around my neck. Our eyes connected. "Layla said you chose me over her. Why?"
Layla and her big mouth. I sighed, fingers twitching to press her lips to mine. Not tonight. Not when I could barely control the hunger inside me. "It wasn't a tough choice."
"But why me when you could have any other?" She moistened her lips, confused. Her question took me by surprise. Did she real y not understand that we were puppets of our fate? The bond, a tiny silver thread that intertwined our lives, had chosen for us. No other than Amber would ever do.
I glanced at the dying fire, panel ed wal s and brocade covers, unable to come up with an answer that wouldn't scare the hel out of her and make her run a mile. Because Fate chose you for me. Because I can't live without you. Because we belong together for al eternity. Kieran would col apse in a fit of laughter. There were hundreds of reasons, but none I could share with her just yet. Girls like bad guys, not over-sensitive pansies who paint their girlfriend's toenails and remember to bring chocolate pralines on Valentine's Day. So, what was the right answer? What did she want to hear?
"Because I mop the floors like no other?" Amber prompted, piqued. Her brows were drawn, her gaze reflecting mistrust and disbelief. Her rapid heartbeat sounded like a drum in my ears. My body stirred, flaring up with a hunger I hadn't felt since the day I was turned.
"I love a girl who makes me laugh," I whispered.
"And did I do that a lot when I worked for you?" Her lips twitched.
I tried to hide a smile. "Only when you cooked me that dreadful vegetable pasta."
"It's cal ed a stir-fry." She slapped her forehead. "Oh, my gosh. You don't eat food. I bet you got the biggest kick out of that one."
"Kieran couldn't stop laughing for a day."
"You haven't answered my question." She regarded me as if she could see right through me. For the first time I feared the bond might empower her to do just that. "There's something you don't want to tel me," Amber continued, pul ing away from me.
"No idea what you're talking about," I muttered.
Amber stared at me, frowning. "I can sense it. Yeah, thanks to you I got this psychic vibe thing going on. So now, not only can I talk to the dead, but I can also pick up on your emotions and see you when you're not around. And I thought I'd only be picking up your house and my salary. Talk about added perks."
I groaned inwardly. She final y felt the bond, but I could see she was a slow one. At this speed we'd stil be sniffing at each other in two years.
Sniffing was good, came with the territory of dating, but not if it destined me to regular blood stained shirts and more jokes from the others.
"I could give you a hint or two." I laughed at how sleazy I sounded. Kieran was obviously rubbing off on me.
"Next time you write a classified ad for a position, you should consult me," Amber said.
I cocked a brow. "Why?"
"Because the last one was completely misleading." She sat up in a lotus position. I tried hard not to peer at her naked legs, toned in al the right places. "It should read like this: single vampire, stronger than any human on Earth, 500+ years old but stil drop dead gorgeous with blue eyes and dark hair, seeks summer temp to clean his house, put up with boss's annoying and beyond cheesy brother, risk life by living in a creepy mansion, and help obtain an ancient book."
I opened my mouth to protest when she lifted a hand to stop me, then continued, "Must be quiet during the day while he sleeps and be wil ing to understand that his best friend is a blonde bombshel . Added perks: the gift of talking to a dead person, mind-blowing kisses, faster-than-a-speeding-bul et rides in the woods, meet nice demon friends from hel , and last but not least, a psychic connection to the boss."
Amber took a deep breath and tapped a finger against her pink lips. "Must be wil ing to communicate with a creepy child queen, not panic easily and keep her cool when a legion of Shadow people are after her. Endure vampire attacks, face Medusa, survive venomous snake bites, be wil ing to give up her espresso when turned into a vampire per boss's request, and—"
"Stop it," I said, laughing.
"Just trying to keep it real." She elbowed me in the ribs. "Forget the ad. I don't know what you're hiding, but I'l figure it out myself. Or I'l just ask Cass. She'l read your mind like nobody's business."
"Don't you dare!" I rol ed her on her back, minding her sore thigh.
"Why not? I want to know everything."
I laughed. "Like hel you do."
"Oh, is that where Cass is? Let's go cal her. Now get off me." Poking a finger in my chest, she pretended to push me away, but her attempt was a feeble one.
What was I doing? I should walk away, let her wiggle a bit, play hard to get like my brother suggested. But I couldn't.
"It's like we're destined to be together," I whispered in her ear, my fingers brushing her cheek. Somewhere inside my brain, I could hear my brother's voice—faint but there, and bloody annoying at that. What the heck?
It was too late. I lowered my mouth on her neck where her pulse felt the strongest, my teeth grazing her skin. Amber held her breath, but didn't push me away.
My hunger grew stronger, clouding my mind, consuming my body. I couldn't think straight, just let myself fal into the dark needs I had ignored for five hundred years. For a moment I hesitated, my lips lingering over her skin, then opened my mouth. My fangs touched her skin. The sudden knock on the door jolted me out of the moment. I sat up, startled.
"Go away, Kieran," I yel ed.
"Don't stop," Amber whispered, sitting up on her elbow, so cute with her dishevel ed hair and innocent gaze.
"You've no idea what you're requesting." I pressed my eyes shut, mad at myself for what I'd just been about to do. How could I let myself lose control like that?
The room seemed to spin as one pang of hunger after another washed over me. Setting my jaw, I pul ed Amber to my chest. Her blood's cal tortured me, but I deserved it. I deserved any torture I'd get for being so careless.
"I know guys do the casual relationship thing al the time, and I want you to know that I'm okay with it if you are," Amber said.
"What do you mean by 'casual'?" I pushed her away as my temper flared.
Amber shrugged and pul ed the covers over her body. Her face was hard, any traces of love gone. Somewhere at the back of my mind I heard Kieran's voice say, I told you so. Damn him. Damn her. Damn that bloody bond. Not only was I stuck with a mortal; I was stuck with a mortal commitment phobe, and I was growing sick of it. Fate was probably watching right now, laughing her head off at my expense.
Without looking at Amber, I jumped out of bed, shrugged into a clean shirt and left the room, slamming the door behind me.
Chapter 25
I propped up on my elbow and watched Aidan stomp out of the room like a bomb had just gone off. Okay, I didn't make the most romantic statement in the world, but after the experience with Cameron who could blame me for thinking al guys were morons? There I was, basical y offering him dating with no strings attached and he acted like I just deceived him and robbed him of his m
ost precious possession. Our knee-weakening kiss stil lingered on my mind. Trust me to put my foot in my big mouth and get the nicest guy I'd ever met to make a run for the hil s.
Wrapping the bedspread around me to keep off the Scottish chil , I jumped out of the bed and went in search of my clothes. My pair of jeans was torn to pieces. The shirt I'd worn the night before didn't look much better. I shimmied into what was left of them and headed for the privacy of my room. Closing the door behind me, I switched on the lights. My heart thudded in my chest as I kneeled on the floor to peer under the bed and beneath the sheets. The scary snakes were gone. Taking a deep breath, I relaxed a little.
What happened to Layla? I couldn't remember anything between the sudden, piercing pain in my thigh and then waking up in Aidan's arms.
Aidan's arms—it sounded so right, the place I should be rather than in my pretty yet empty room, al alone with a sore thigh and no one to comfort me.
I rummaged through my bedside table until I found a pack of aspirin and swal owed another pil with the stale glass of water I'd carried upstairs the night before, then peeled off my shredded clothes to take a quick shower. The water cooled my feverish skin. With a shaking finger, I brushed over the bruise on my thigh, just above the knee, where the snake had sunk its teeth. I trembled, a sudden wave of dread washing over me. The memory of Aidan sucking out the venom was faint, but enough to remember I hadn't put up a fight. I'd found it too easy to trust him with my life.
After rubbing my body with a dry towel, I gave my teeth a quick brush and slipped into my flannel PJs, then snuggled under the covers, musing.
Should I go after him and clarify that I wasn't actual y keen on anything casual? I sighed and switched off the lights. Cameron had always been the one to run and I the one to do the chasing, trying to woo him and rectify whatever I'd done wrong. In the end, he'd ended up cheating on me anyway. Whatever I'd seen in him was now gone, but I'd learned my lesson. No guy would ever make me trip over myself to please him. I figured, Aidan was a big boy. His ego could deal with a bit of rejection. And if not—I didn't want to go there. He simply had to be different and like me the way I was now that I'd fal en in love with him.