Chapter Nineteen #2
“Are you hungry?” I smile at Cian as I crack the eggs into
the skillet. I use a fork to whisk them. There are only four forks, two knives,
and three spoons. None of them match.
“I am.” Cian studies me for a moment, his eyes moving across
my face. “Did my brother send you to take care of me?”
“Yes.” I give him a sad nod. It’s the truth. Beck bought me
to save his brother. I have a job to do and it’s past time to take it
seriously.
“You’re very pretty,” Cian says, almost shyly.
I wonder how old he thinks he is. Sometimes he comes off as
almost childlike. Other times he looks at me with barely controlled lust in his
eyes. He hasn’t acted on it. I feel perfectly safe with him, but it can be
difficult to keep up with the changes. After we eat, I intend to get this
bonding thing done, so I can have another fully functional, non-crazy teammate.
Hopefully one who will listen to reason.
After I broke down, I made a few decisions. I can lie down
and cry. I can bemoan my fate and become bitter, or I can get off my ass and
make do. I can be dependent on the people around me, or I can learn really damn
fast. I don’t intend to act as Beck’s wife again, so I better be a fast
learner.
I need to earn my keep, and I’m not going to do it on my
back. When Beck comes home, we will sit down and work out a contract. Not the
kind I hoped for with him. No, this will be an employment contract.
I’m going to need one because according to that vampire
computer, I’m not going home. Ever.
While I was in the barn, I came across a small room. It has
a cot where Beck slept the night before and a tiny stove to keep it warm. It’s
not much, but I can stay there and be fairly comfortable. From what I read on
the computer Dante left behind, I understand that the brothers need me to
remain physically close to at least one of them. Somehow, my brain forms
connections with theirs and allows them to function. There was a bunch of
mind-numbing chemistry and science that I skimmed over.
There is nothing in the vampire information that claims sex
is required at all, so it’s best I sleep apart from them. I doubt Beck will
have a problem with it. Once I make it clear to him he doesn’t have to worry
about my sexual advances anymore, he’ll probably get on board with my plans.
A room of my own will help. It would be far too hard to
sleep beside them every night and not be able to touch them. Once Cian is
rational again, I have no doubt he will be slightly horrified to find out he’s
married to someone his brother has such distaste for.
I pull the pan off the grill using a thick towel. The eggs
are a little burnt, but edible. It’s a minor triumph. I scoop the largest part
out onto a plate for Cian. He’s bigger than I am and looks like he can use the
calories. I’m going to have to figure out how to fatten him up.
“Thanks,” he says gratefully as he digs in. “My sister likes
eggs, but she likes them fried. When she gets up, will you make some for her,
too?”
It’s easier to play along than to explain over and over and
over. “Of course,” I murmur as I pick up my fork.
We eat in silence for a few minutes. Cian then seems
fascinated by the sight of his hand. He holds it up in the light and looks very
confused. His head whirls around, and he takes in the cottage.
“This isn’t my home.” Cian looks around the room. He sounds
the slightest bit panicked. “Where am I?” He looks so lost. He catches my hand
and holds it tightly. “I don’t know where I am.”
If Beck were standing in front of me, I would have clocked
him with the iron skillet. Cian needs him, and Beck left. I understand we need
money, but it could have waited a day or two. I hold Cian’s hand in both of
mine. “You’re safe. I promise you.”
“Is he having a rough day?” a voice asks from the open
window in the kitchen.
I turn, slightly startled to see a lovely blonde woman
standing at the window. “I wouldn’t know what a normal day is like.”
“Sometimes he remembers, but that’s only when his brother is
around,” the blonde explains with a tight smile. “With Beck being gone again,
he’ll probably deteriorate. It’s terrible that he had to leave again so soon.
He only got back yesterday, and now he’s off to the Vampire plane.”
I feel my heart drop to my toes. “How did you know he was
gone?”
I thought the only people Beck saw the day before was an
elderly couple on the outskirts of the village. He hadn’t mentioned anyone
else. I suppose word could have gotten out, but that meant he told others long
before he mentioned it to me.
There’s no small amount of sympathy in the other woman’s
eyes. “He told me last night. He asked if I would come up and see if you needed
anything. Cian can be difficult.”
Cian stares at the blonde. He comes around and put his hands
on my shoulders. Every muscle in his body seems bunched and tight, almost as
though he’s ready for a fight. “You shouldn’t be here. Go away.”
“You see. He’s difficult. I hope he doesn’t get violent with
you. I don’t know what Beck was thinking, leaving you with him. He can be so
insensitive sometimes. You know men.” There’s a slight sheen of tears in the
woman’s eyes. She makes a scene of trying to hide them.
The blonde before me is tall and delicately feminine. She
has a perfect face, with light blue eyes and cheekbones any model would kill
for. I don’t buy the tears, though. Those seem fake. I’ve been around enough
mean girls to identify one even on another plane. The woman in front of me has
taken special care to let me know she spent time with my husband. “What can I
do for you, Miss?”
“I am Liadan.” The introduction comes with a slight sniffle.
“I live in the house on the other side of the fields. I’ve known the brothers
for several years now.”
“Beck likes her, but I don’t,” Cian says stubbornly.
I don’t like her either. There’s something very cold about