A Job From Hell (12 page)

I closed my eyes, praying for help, even though I knew no one would come to my rescue. From the corner of my eye, I caught movement. A strong gust of wind scattered a pile of fal en leaves. Someone whispered in my ear, and for a moment I thought it was Connor, until I realised I didn't recognise the voice, nor did I understand the words. Without thinking I opened my mouth and bit as hard as I could while stomping on Connor's foot.

He cried out, pul ing his hand back, then toppled over as though someone just hit him over the head. Peering at me, he stood and took a step when he was sent flying backward, a groan escaping his throat. With a grunt, he col apsed against a tree. His body shook a few times as though something or someone kept hitting him. I stared, wide-eyed, unable to move my legs. What was happening to the guy?

Something whispered in my ear to get away from there before Connor woke up. I bolted up the street and through the gates toward the house. I didn't dare stop until I reached the front door, locking it behind me, then went about locking the backdoor too, but I knew instinctively Connor wouldn't fol ow. I figured he hadn't been lurking outside the gate because it was more fun than breaking in and kidnapping me from inside the house. Aidan had cal ed him a friend, but that's a relative term. His definition of friendship probably differed greatly from mine. I sensed there was some sort of fear that kept Connor from entering Aidan's property. Shaking, I poured myself a glass of water, spil ing half of it as I returned to the safety of my room, stil pondering.

I spent the day packing my belongings and checking my phone in the laundry room where I had reception, jumping at every sound. Dal as didn't cal . Tel ing my parents or Cameron of my predicament was out of the question. Who'd believe me? Besides, I wasn't keen on risking their lives.

At the first signs of dusk, I grabbed the rosary my mother gave me and strode down to the kitchen to wait for Aidan. The cross was tiny, barely larger than my fingernail, but it boosted my confidence, instil ing a false sense of safety in me. I poured a glass of water, spoke the Lord's Prayer and dipped the cross into it. It was the closest I'd get to holy water, but I figured a prayer was a prayer, with or without a vicar to say it.

The door in the hal opened and closed, and Aidan's footsteps retreated up the stairs. Fury rose inside me at his shameful pretence. He could claim he came home from work al he wanted, I knew he had been locked up in that room, sleeping in his coffin, or whatever.

I should've left. If he was a vampire, kil ing came with the job description, but Connor might stil be out there, lurking in the shadows. For some inexplicable, utterly irrational reason, I trusted Aidan more than I trusted Connor. If he wanted to kil me, he could've done so instead of engaging in mindless smooching. I wouldn't let a hot guy with a talent for pul ing girls play havoc with my life. Taking a deep breath, I yanked the door open and stomped after him, fingers clenched around the water glass.

I could sense Amber's bad mood as soon as I opened my eyes. Her usual nervousness was gone, replaced by maddening rage, and I didn't have the slightest clue what was wrong with her. I stretched and rose from my four-poster bed, kicking the scarlet silk sheets aside. A preference for a lavish lifestyle was the only thing Rebecca and I had in common. I just wished I'd known that before fal ing for her deception, but then again I wouldn't be here with my true love, ready to start a new life far away from the Lore court and the threat my world posed to a mortal.

The hearing was tonight, in the heart of London. I'd use my ability to teleport there. Even though it weakened me, I had to get there and back as soon as possible because I couldn't trust Amber's safety into Kieran and Clare's hands. They were strong vampires, but also careless: Clare was too trusting of everyone crossing her path, and Kieran always underestimated everyone else.

I took a quick shower and dressed in my usual ripped jeans and black shirt, then teleported onto the driveway, ruffled my almost dry hair and entered through the front door. It was a routine I performed on the rare occasions I had mortals around, bar the beauty part. That had started only after Amber's arrival.

Amber was in the kitchen. Hot waves of anger wafted from her as her heart thumped in her chest, pumping that delicious blood that kept cal ing me like no other. I walked up the stairs to my study when the door flew open and Amber appeared, cheeks flushed as though she'd hurried to catch up to me.

"Having one of those days when everything sucks but the vacuum cleaner?" I smiled and cocked a brow, suppressing the urge to grab her in my arms. Her heartbeat sped up, hammering against her ribcage. She moistened her lips. I stared at her mouth, wondering whether she'd slap me if I just kissed her.

"You lied to me." Amber inched closer and poked a finger in my chest, eyes widening when I didn't flinch. Fury blazed in her gaze. "I've no idea what game you're playing, but I quit. You can look for someone else to clean your house."

"Whoa, calm down." I reached for her. She lurched forward and poured the glass of water over my head, then jumped back, flabbergasted. I peered at my soaked shirt, stifling my laughter. "Don't tel me I was in dire need of a shower. You could've just advised me to buy a new deodorant."

"Stay away from me," Amber whispered.

My smile died on my lips. "What's wrong with you?"

"You know what's wrong!" she shouted.

I didn't want to point out that I wasn't exactly a mind reader so, unless she was more specific, I had no idea what she was talking about.

"Stop pretending," Amber yel ed, inching forward.

I took a deep breath, suddenly noticing the smel that lingered on her skin. A snarl escaped my throat. "How did they get on my property?" I scooped her up and sat her on top of my mahogany desk, forcing her to face me. "Listen, I want you to tel me the truth. Did you invite them in?"

"Who? Your creepy, little friends? Hel , no." Amber's voice sounded sarcastic, but there wasn't just anger in her gaze. The tel -tale signs were there. She was starting to trust me no matter how hard she tried to pretend otherwise. But it wasn't enough yet.

"I told you to stay out of the woods," I roared. "Do you have any idea what could've happened to you? I can't take care of you when I'm—" I stopped before I said too much "—when I'm gone."

"You mean when you sleep?" Amber snorted. "Surprised I know what you are? I know everything, and I'm not staying in this house any longer."

I rubbed my chin, her words echoing in my mind. How did she find out? Was she afraid of me now? Damn the Shadows for trying to ruin my chances. "You know I'd never hurt you," I said softly, focusing on her mind as I tried to catch fragments of thought, but what came easily to me with other mortals didn't seem to work on her. I could influence her emotions, but I couldn't read her. I felt bad for using such a cheap trick on her, and yet I had no choice.

Clearing my mind, I met her gaze, ready to guide her on tranquil ground again so we could talk, when I noticed the barely visible bruise spreading on her left cheek near the hairline. Whoever hurt her was as good as dead. Tossing the books on the desk to the floor, I picked her up and teleported through iron-enforced wal s to the only safe place I knew: my chamber. Ever so gently, I lowered myself on a sofa and pul ed her onto my lap. She barely protested, her eyes wide with curiosity as she scanned the room, lingering a little too long on the dishevel ed bed.

"How—" Amber started.

"Tel me the truth. I'l make them pay if it's the last thing I ever do." I pointed at her cheek, trying to keep my mind from wandering to the bed and how awkward it made me feel since we barely knew each other.

Amber winced even though I didn't touch the bruise. "I left the house to cal my brother when one of the guys you introduced me to the other night tried to kidnap me." Her voice sounded calm and composed, considering her words careful y. She was hiding half the truth.

"Wait a second, we'l get to the kidnapping part later." I raised my brows. "Why didn't you cal your brother from the landline in the hal ? Surely Clare told you to use it any time you want since there's no reception elsewhere."

She averted her gaze, blushing. "I forgot."

In spite of the seriousness of the situation I smiled. She was such a bad liar, but cute. "Okay, let's pretend you forgot, which I don't believe by the way, did you also forget I told you not to leave the house?"

"You said I couldn't walk into the woods, not to stay inside." Her eyes narrowed, chal enging me.

I inhaled slowly. No point in arguing with her. I'd just make sure she'd never leave the house without me again. "From now on you stay inside, unless I'm with you."

"You can't tel me what to do. Who do you think you are?"

She looked so feeble in her annoyance, it made me feel frail too. I snuggled her head into my shoulder and whispered, "You're not going anywhere. If I need to put you in chains to keep you by my side, then so be it."

"Why would you do that? Because of the prize? I know you wanted it for yourself."

So the Shadows told her about the prize as wel . No surprise there. I squeezed a finger under her chin and lifted her lips to mine. "Don't you see it? You're the prize. Your gift's just the bonus." I touched my lips to hers gently, running my fingers through her hair as I pul ed her closer for a moment before releasing her abruptly.

She peered up at me through hooded eyes fringed by long lashes, her ful lips glistening in the soft light. "What's wrong?" Amber asked, her voice dripped with disappointment.

"You don't want this like I do," I whispered.

"What?" She smiled that lazy grin that made my heart skip a beat, shattering the frail shel of my control. "I can assure you I do."

I shook my head. "One day you'l understand what I'm talking about." I had to keep my appointment with Layla, and find a way to get rid of that curse she cal ed a prize.

Amber smiled. "You won't get another chance."

"You couldn't leave even if you wanted to."

"Dare me." I saw the determination in her eyes. She was a sorer loser than she was a bad liar. Someone had to give in before she did something reckless just to prove her point.

"Okay, you win. I believe you." I traced my finger along her jawline, brainstorming ways to make Layla grant my wish. Taking her by surprise was my best bet.

"So, when were you going to tel me you're a—" Amber hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the word.

"A vampire?"

She flinched. I growled low in my throat.

"Yeah, that," she whispered.

"Maybe after our wedding?"

Amber laughed. "What makes you think I'd marry you?"

"What makes you think you'd have a choice?"

"I'm not into bad guys," she said.

She got that one right. I hadn't always been a bad guy; just since Rebecca decided to make me her personal toy. It was my Achil es spot, so I changed the subject. "How did you find out what I am? The Shadows?"

"The what?" Her confused look only strengthened my belief someone else must've told her. But who?

"I'l tel you later. Now, who else did you talk to?"

She raised her chin stubbornly. "I'm not tel ing on my sources."

"You know I'l find out sooner or later anyway." In fact, I'd make it my priority to find out upon my return from the Lore court.

"Do you have any idea how my parents wil react once they notice my boyfriend's a—"

I stared at her. Had she just said the b-word? She squirmed, probably realising the same thing. Denial and yet another fight was imminent. I had to give her space to think, so I lifted her and put her down beside me. "There's business I need to take care of first. This conversation isn't over though."

She eyed me suspiciously. "You're driving to town? Good. You can take me to the airport then." It wasn't a question; it was a demand. No one ever dared to demand anything from me. "I should've cal ed a cab the moment I found out about al of this."

"Yeah, wel , you didn't. I wouldn't have let you go anyway." I smirked. "I haven't changed my mind, Amber. You stay here. Clare wil make sure you're not trying to escape."

She sneered, but didn't argue. I walked the short distance to the wardrobe and pul ed out a leather belt and sheath that I tied around my ankle, hiding them underneath my jeans and a hip-length coat. The sheath held the only weapon that'd keep me safe inside the Lore court: a fire whip.

Layla's succubi feared it like hel . Now, Layla was another matter and harder to control, but I counted on her soft spot for me, as long as she didn't find out how much Amber meant to me.

In two long strides I returned to the sofa and planted a kiss on Amber's lips. "Do as I say. Don't make me hunt you down, because I'm too good at it and you wouldn't stand a chance."

Her eyes glittered with that determination that kept tel ing me I'd found my match. "You can't keep me here."

"Dare me and I'l lock you up." I kissed her again and stood, hesitating. A sense of dread hit me. I was making a big mistake, and yet I knew I had no choice. Throwing a last glance over my shoulder, I hurried out the door, teleporting to London as soon as I was out of Amber's sight.

***

From outside, the estate looked like any other in East London: a broad building surrounded by hundreds of acres of dirty concrete and a high fence. Empty beer cans and wrappers littered the narrow pavement in front of the gate. Several girls dressed in tight skirts, tops and boots stood in immediate proximity, their greasy hair ruffled by the cold wind. One approached me as soon as I appeared in the shadows of a concrete wal . If she found it strange that I materialised out of nowhere, she didn't show her surprise.

"Have a fag?" the girl asked. She was in her early twenties, maybe younger. Her voice sounded low and impassive. I recoiled from the pungent smel of sweat lingering on her skin and clothes, and turned away when she brushed her long hair out of her eyes. On her wrist shimmered a tattoo: a black snake, its mouth agape, twisting and coiling like a living creature living beneath her skin.