Anathema (Causal Enchantment, #1) (25 page)

“
Oh, come on!” I looked skeptically
at her.

“
Honest. Scout’s honor!” She held up
two fingers.

I glanced at the others, expecting to see a
hidden smirk or the crook of a smile.

“
Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you!”
Amelie chirped.

“
Always burn them,” Fiona said in a
serious tone. “That way, you know they can’t come back and hunt you
down—because, believe me, they’ll be pissed.”

“
As if any human would get a chance
in the first place,” Bishop muttered sarcastically.

Caden nodded in concession. “Back to Big Brown.
A pack of cats or wolves can’t match the ferocity of one grizzly.
Having an animal
that
powerful at your command, especially
in a situation like this, where we need all the protection we can
get—that’s why Bishop did it. One of those things will rip a heart
right out of a chest cavity and eat it … good luck trying to get
that back.”

I glanced over at Bishop, lying precariously on
a bed of rocks, flicking Fiona’s ear. He still looked like that
easygoing, sometimes obtuse cool kid from high school. Not exactly
someone who ever paid an ounce of attention to me, let alone
willingly battled a two ton animal three times for my
protection.

My heart swelled.

As the shadows lengthened and the dappled
sunshine faded, the first pangs of hunger rumbled in my stomach. I
was sure it was a mistake—I hadn’t been here that long, had I? It
rumbled again, this time loud enough to attract Caden’s attention.
He looked down at my stomach, then up at my face, concern sweeping
over his. “Time to go!” he announced. “The human is
hungry.”

I shrugged it off, not wanting to disrupt their
fun. “I’m okay.”

“
No you’re not. Come on!” He hopped
to his feet, whistling.

“
What am I, a pet?” I
quipped.

Caden threw an arm around my shoulders and
pulled me close to his chest, scratching behind my ear.

“
Ha–ha,” I said sarcastically,
hazarding a peek up to find those beautiful jade eyes gazing back,
an inexplicable look in them.
You are so unbelievably hot
.
My heart began thumping wildly in my chest.
Thank God the
pendant masks that
.

“
Ready to go?” Caden asked,
chuckling.

I nodded dumbly.
Anywhere. I’ll go anywhere
with you
.

“
Looks like chicken feed,” Bishop
commented dryly, his nose scrunching up in disgust as I inhaled
three nature bars. They had found me some figs and berries to snack
on but the exertion of walking up the mountain drove my hunger to
levels of starvation.

I good– humoredly elbowed him in the stomach,
wincing as my funny bone cracked against his rock hard muscles. He
bellowed laughter, earning an eye roll from Fiona.

“
What a mess!” Amelie announced as
she surveyed the stuff scattered all over the cave, though her
childlike face wore an eager expression. Suddenly she shrieked,
diving down to grab something small and black. She held it up. A
bathing suit.

I frowned.
Why would Sofie—that’s
right
. I had mentioned the oasis. I didn’t think she was
paying attention though.

Amelie frantically rooted around until she
found one for each of us. Trunks in hand, Bishop and Caden bolted,
Caden covering his eyes dramatically to hide his view of his
sister, who had already begun shamelessly peeling off her
clothes.

Fiona handed me a black bikini. I swallowed,
holding up the two–piece, trying to figure out top from bottom.
There was more string than covering. “Is there something in there a
little more … modest?”

“
Oh, don’t be silly, Evangeline,”
Fiona murmured, already adjusting her own skimpy hot pink bikini
over her supermodel–like curves.

“
Okay,” I grumbled, changing
quietly, dreading standing next to these two. When I was done I
felt naked, even though all my vitals were covered. The cold air
wasn’t helping.

“
What are you looking for?” Amelie
asked, seeing my eyes darting over the piles of
clothing.

“
There was a big, fuzzy red blanket
somewhere here.”

“
Come on!” Fiona looped her arm
through mine and dragged me down the tunnel, picking up speed until
we were jogging. Amelie ran ahead of us, giggling hysterically,
holding a giant flashlight that had come in the mountain
bag.

I forced them to slow to a walk, out of breath.
“So … when do you think Rachel will be back?” I asked
casually.

“
When the Council gets bored of
watching vampires bludgeon each other nearly to death, only to heal
and do it over again,” Fiona answered. I cringed in horror as she
elaborated: “A gladiator tournament.”

“
She’s a Council member and, as
such, must keep up appearances,” Amelie added in a haughty voice in
snide imitation of Rachel.

“
Where did she go?”

“
To New Shore. It was the capital
city when this was a country. Most of it has crumbled and grown
over now. She wouldn’t have gone if she had known you would be
here—you’re so early! She won’t be back for another week, at
least,” Fiona answered.

I exhaled loudly, earning a laugh from them.
“She’s not the nicest person I’ve ever met,” I said, wrinkling my
nose.

Fiona snorted. “Evangeline, you’re too polite.
She’s a cold–hearted, vicious bitch!” Her violet eyes flashed with
anger.

I looked at her, not prepared for the blatant
loathing in her normally serene voice. “Yes, well, she is also
drop–dead gorgeous. I guess all guys are the same.”

“
What?” Amelie asked, her face
twisting with confusion. “Ohhh, you mean Caden. Believe me, their
‘relationship’—and I use that term loosely—has
nothing
to
do with her looks,” Amelie said. “But she is madly in love with
him—crazy, fanatical, psychopath love.”

“
But he doesn’t love her?” A spark
of hope—a glimmer of the impossible—ignited within me.

Fiona held her finger up to her lips as we
rounded the corner and entered the oasis, ending the conversation
before I could get an answer.

“
Wow,” I mumbled, taking in the
scene. Steam rose from the water, swirling in the chilly mountain
air that stirred the countless flames around the cavern to create a
beautiful, dreamlike mist.

We found Bishop and Caden relaxing in a small,
circular alcove. The water lapped just below their chests, the
precise height to adequately show off Caden’s strong shoulders and
neck. He had the perfect curves and ridges around his frame, the
perfect amount of flesh and muscle to make him look neither beefy
nor lanky.
Perfect.
I heard myself groan wistfully before
I could control myself.

They stopped talking and turned, Caden’s eyes
immediately landing on me. My shoulders hunched inward as I
instinctively wanted to hide, wishing I could cocoon myself in that
red blanket.
Maybe the mist will blur his vision,
I hoped.
Highly doubtful.
I wrapped my arms around my chest, trying
to cover my entire upper body—a justifiable action, considering the
chill in the air.

Fiona trotted over and slithered in beside
Bishop, wrapping her arms around him before resting her head on his
broad shoulder. Amelie was no less confident about her body as she
jumped in beside Fiona, taking enough space for herself that I was
forced to squeeze in beside Caden.

Next to those two, I probably resembled a
rodent, scurrying to the edge and gracelessly clambering down, half
tumbling in my hurry to find concealment in the water. Caden
offered his hand and I took it, knowing I would likely end up
falling on top of him otherwise. I didn’t know what was wrong with
me lately. I wasn’t so physically inept anywhere else but near them
and their superpowers.

When the warm water covered my flesh, I was
able to relax and breathe again.

“
Ah, the good old days: hot tubs,
girls in bikinis …” Bishop reminisced, leaning back with his arms
stretched lazily to either side of him, displaying his muscular
biceps. “Eve—next time back, surfboards and a keg, ‘kay?” He waited
for my giggle and nod of assent before his head fell back and he
closed his eyes, resting peacefully.

“
So, you all
used
to be
human, right? Do you forget all of your skills when you … convert?”
I asked cautiously. “I mean, why couldn’t you pick up where humans
left off, with all the manufacturing, electricity—all that
stuff?”

“
Sounds so simple, doesn’t it?”
Caden laughed without mirth. “Because we’re narcissistic, selfish
creatures who want all the luxuries with none of the hard work
behind it.” He paused. “Think of Viggo and Mortimer. The ‘good
vampires.’” I caught the sarcasm. “Where do they get their money?
Do you see them working? Earning a living?” Caden’s Adam’s apple
protruded as he dropped his head back against the rock ledge. I had
the urge to run my finger along it, but I resisted. He chuckled.
“They rob their victims. They go after the ones whose wallets are
thick, and whose illicit activities make their death unsurprising
and welcomed. I’d bet my life on it. It’s what I used to
do.”

I shuddered at his blunt admission. But was he
right? I had wondered where they earned their money.

Caden continued. “You’ll be hard–pressed to
find a vampire fixing toilets or serving drinks, unless they have
an ulterior motive.”

“
Sofie serves coffee,” I answered,
challenging him.

Caden’s head rolled to face me. “I wonder why
…” His voice was soft, protective. A gentle warning.

“
You’re right. I have to question
everything, don’t I?”

He nodded, a small smile touching his lips
before he sat up again.

My eyes drifted around the alcove, landing on
each vampire for a brief moment, listening to them chatter and
laugh happily.
That means I’m supposed to question all of
you?
The idea distressed me. I didn’t want to question
them.

Every fiber of my body was keenly aware of
Caden’s presence, so close to me. Now and again his arm would bump
against mine as he laughed. I’m sure it was accidental, but each
one of those nudges sent electric ripples through my body. I
managed to steal several glances at him, pacing myself so I didn’t
get caught ogling. Soft–looking masculine fuzz had started to grow
in the center of his chest. Hairy chests had never appealed to me
before. Now, though …

“
Bishop?” Fiona’s low, worried voice
cut into my fantasies. I glanced over to see the male vampire no
longer languishing in the tub but sitting rigid, scowling and
shushing her with his hand while he listened for something. The
group sat tense for a moment, aware of something I was blind
to.

Finally he shook his head, then grinned at
Caden. “Nothing. Big Brown took care of it.”

He had been communicating telepathically with
his pet. About what, though? “More vampires?” I guessed, a shiver
running down my back.

“
Not anymore,” Caden answered,
turning to smile reassuringly at me. “We’re good.”

“
Told you he was worth the battle.”
Bishop smirked arrogantly at Fiona, then threw a wink in my
direction. He leaned back again, closing his eyes.

More vampires. Lurking in the mountains—the
mountains I had hoped would be impenetrable—on their way here to
torture me when they found me. I swallowed a lump. “Are they ever
going to stop?” I whispered. “One of them may get past—”

“
They won’t.” Caden’s voice was
soothing. “Don’t worry.” Underwater, an invisible hand landed on my
knee and squeezed gently before sliding away again. A thrill
rippled from the point of contact to the rest of my body. I
swallowed. If he was trying to distract me, he was doing a
fantastic job.

“
You wanna go stretch? I need to
stretch,” Amelie announced, grabbing my hand and effortlessly
pulling me to the connecting pool, no doubt to further distract me
from the talk of vampires in the jungle.

“
Sure,” I mumbled, glancing back at
Caden. He was watching me. Always watching.