14. Chapter 14
14
K elly stayed in the pool room for some time after Siri left, sipping on her water and thinking about their conversation.
Fabian had been up-front about the dangers she now faced, but not that up-front.
Kade seemed to brush it off.
Running from Dallas so quickly, the wards on the castle, the rush to choose a mentor, and Ginna’s insistence that she accept Fabian’s offer of Guardianship… all of it made more sense now.
Just as she made the decision to find Kade to talk to him about Christmas, Ginna walked into the room.
“There you are, Rookie. Let’s get started, come with me.”
Caught off guard, Kelly stuttered, “I, uh, I was…”
“You, uh, nothing. We’re starting now, and everything else can wait.”
Kelly had chosen Ginna because of her strong, snarky attitude. She hadn’t really thought that through.
Ginna led her to the library of the castle and pointed to a stack of books on a table. “History of mages and warlocks, vampires, witches, fae, shifters, demons, and gods. That should keep you busy for some time.”
“What do we start with?”
“ We don’t start with anything. You start with whichever book you prefer. When you’ve read them all, we’ll review them. There will be a quiz.”
Kelly’s eyebrows made their way up her forehead. “All of them? Now?”
“Yep. You know nothing of the Arcane world, and you have some catching up to do. Four hours a day until you’re done with all of them. I think you’ll enjoy them—they’re quite riveting.”
Somehow, she doubted that. Not bothering to look at the title, Kelly grabbed the first book and began reading.
—
Four hours later, her mind was numb with the history of vampires. The book she’d read could have been considered a great work of fiction if an unknowing human picked it up. Who would believe the Norse god Loki got bored and created a race simply for his amusement? Not to mention the fact that they had superhuman strength and senses that were better than the most gifted animals on the planet, but their drawback was that they had to feed on humans. Toss in immortality to add more allure, and a pinch of bloodlust for danger; it all seemed like one big joke.
Their history had been brutal and riddled with death, both their own and that of humans. They’d fought for respect for centuries but always managed to be looked down upon by other races. The careless actions of a few led to the downfall of many.
Kelly found herself feeling sorry for them. Their diet made them the most feared and hated race of the arcane, but they could not change their nature. Only the technological advances of the past few decades had allowed them to work on changing the stigma that surrounded them.
She stood and stretched, deciding to check out the dining hall. Maybe everyone was getting ready for dinner. As she walked through the halls, she hummed to herself.
Kade was suddenly beside her, making her jump yet again.
“Jesus Christ! Will you please announce your presence in the future?” She slapped his arm playfully.
Kelly suddenly noticed his actions more than she had before. His nostrils flared. His eyes were intent on her—not in a creepy way, but he had a steadfast focus on her that she hadn’t picked up on until now.
“And where would the fun be in that, lass?” He flashed that crooked smile of his for the umpteenth time.
“I don’t know about fun, but you might add a few years back on to my life if you’d stop sidling around in silence.”
He laughed and stepped in front of her, stopping suddenly to face her and blocking her path. “Soon ye willnae need any more years on that life of yers.”
Caught by the intensity of his gray eyes, she didn’t respond. His nostrils flared again and he leaned in to her, breathing deeply. His short beard barely touched her cheek as he leaned in close to her and his lips came so close to her neck that she could feel the cold radiating from him.
She couldn’t explain how the chill of his body made her own hot, but that’s exactly what happened. Suddenly her body heated with desire and she was reaching for his neck to pull him closer to her.
Then she caught herself and pulled back. What the fuck was she doing, falling for a vampire? Then again, he was a vampire. That book had taught her about more than just their history. Their race had just the right balance of danger and intrigue. Sure, he could kill her; he could also offer her experiences no other race could even come close to.
Kade had proven himself to be a good man, and that threw Kelly’s moral compass for a loop.
His lips touched her neck and stayed there, unmoving, for what seemed like minutes.
Somehow, she found her voice. “Kade, I—”
The front door of the castle burst open, and high heels clicked across the stone floor with purpose.
“Kade, darling, I’ve missed you.”
The click of the heels came closer with the voice, and Kade froze with his lips on Kelly’s neck. The cold slowly left Kelly’s skin as he broke contact and turned to face the woman.
His stature blocked Kelly’s view for the most part, but she caught a flash of red lipstick and an outfit that was straight off a Gucci shelf, with the black heels to match. Her makeup and hair were flawless, and her body was sleek and beautiful. This woman was everything Kelly was not.
Well, dreams are free, and it was fun for a moment there, but there’s no competing with that, her inner voice chimed in.
“Darlene,” Kade said.
Kelly’s hopes went up just a bit; he didn’t seem too excited to see her. She moved to the side so she could see around Kade.
Ms. Gucci made her way to Kade, clicking all the way. When she reached him, she wrapped her arms around him in the way women like that do, claiming their territory. Her lips claimed Kade’s in a possessive I don’t care who’s watching way.
Kelly turned to leave, taking the hint. So much for the idea that he was any better than other men in the world. She was so stupid to think he would be different, especially when any woman in her right mind would drool over him.
Darlene must have come up for air, because Kelly heard a disgust-filled “Who’s that?” before she turned the corner.
As she made her way back to her room, her appetite vanished and her inner voice went on a rampage, reminding her she was just a normal girl, and his interest in her was purely related to the power she possessed. After all, why would a man like him be interested in a woman like her?
She ran into Ginna on the way.
“There you are, Rookie.” She paused, taking Kelly in. “What’s got your panties in a twist? Those books aren’t that depressing.”
“Just a lot on my mind, I guess.”
“Oh no you don’t. This old woman can smell a lie from a mile away. Come with me. We’ll get a drink.” She laced her arm through Kelly’s and started to pull her back the way she came.
“Thanks, but I’m good. I’m going to turn in.”
“No, you’re not. You don’t hide from your problems in this world. Let’s go.”
Kelly let out a sound of dismay as Ginna led her back toward the front of the castle.
When they came to Kade and Darlene, the two of them were in what seemed to be a heated discussion.
“You told me next time you were in town you’d take me out and we could have fun. You’re always so caught up in your work.”
“How did ye even ken I was home, Darlene? And I dinnae have time to argue with ye about my priorities.”
Ginna spoke loudly, ignoring the fact that the others could hear even a whisper with their vampire hearing. “Who let the tramp in?”
Darlene’s jaw dropped and her fangs suddenly extended. “Who in the hell do you think you are?”
“Someone who doesn’t care to know you. I suggest you leave. There’s enough going on here without your drama.”
“How dare you speak to me that way!” Darlene spat. “You have no right to tell me to leave. I came to see Kade. This has nothing to do with you.”
Kade ran his hand through his hair, clearly frustrated by the whole situation.
“I think it’s best ye go.”
“Seriously? I don’t know what’s gotten into you, Kade. Since when do you keep company with mages and humans ?”
Suddenly, Darlene’s back was against the wall, her heels dangling above the floor. Kade’s hand was tightly around her neck, his face inches from hers, fangs extended.
Kade’s words were barely a whisper. “The company I keep is none of yer damn concern, nor is the amount of time I spend taking care of business. Leave this house and dinnae come back. If I find that ye’ve spoken a word of what happened here or the people ye saw in my house, I’ll find ye and rip yer throat out before I remove yer head.”
He slowly lowered her down the wall and took his hand from her throat.
Darlene stared at him with malice. “You’ll regret this.”
“Such creative threats.” Ginna laughed.
Fabian was there. Kelly had missed the moment he joined the party.
“Come, I will help you find your way out.” He gestured toward the entrance.
“I know the way.” Darlene huffed and turned to leave, her heels clicking even more loudly on the stone floor than before. She turned back to them all as she neared the entrance hall. “You’re up to something, Kade.”
Kelly couldn’t help rolling her eyes. Drama, drama.
Fabian’s hand went to the hilt of his sword, his eyes asking Kade’s wishes on the matter.
Kade barely shook his head. Then he was gone, a rush of air blowing past Kelly. The front door creaked, and Kelly assumed he had opened it.
“Be on yer way, Darlene. Dinnae meddle in my affairs any further, or I’ll make good on my promise to ye.”
More clicks, then the door slammed.
“I am going to have to kill her someday,” Fabian said in a very matter-of-fact way.
“I dinnae think she will do anything.”
When Kade and Fabian came into view, she added her two cents. “I don’t know, Kade, if you put your dick in that, it’s coming back to haunt you. Hell hath no fury.”
Kelly laughed, not able to help herself.
“Jesus Christ.” He ran his hand through his hair again.
“I’ll take it that you did. Good thing you’re a vampire. It’d likely fall off if you were human; that woman’s had more passengers than a New York taxi.”
Kade walked away, shaking his head.
Ginna led Kelly past the dining hall and around the way to a full bar. It was completely stocked and functional, just like a bar in a restaurant.
“They’ve got everything here, don’t they?” Kelly said.
“Oh child, they have so much more. I’ll take you on a tour after dinner.”
Kelly laughed. Ginna looked like a grandma, but she had the humor of a much younger woman, and she was tenacious too. It was clear she didn’t care what others thought and took charge in any situation. “You know your way around?”
“I do now.” Ginna plopped a mixed drink in front of Kelly, not having asked her preference, and came around the bar to sit next to her. “Tell me what’s on that mind of yours.”
“Well, now it’s the fact that Kade just held a woman up by her neck and threatened to cut off her head.”
Ginna waved her hand through the air. “That’s nothin’, just typical vampires. Well, maybe not the death threat, but they tend to be more violent than other races. What was on your mind before all of that?”
Kelly sighed. She’d never had a close friend to confide in, so it didn’t come naturally.
“Get it out, girl. Holding shit in will never get you anywhere, and I guarantee you have bigger problems than whatever you’re worrying about.”
“I think I’m confused about Kade. From the first moment we touched, I’ve felt safe with him. He keeps sending weird messages, though. He’s sweet one moment, then cold to me the next. When that woman showed up, he”—she stuttered, searching for words—“he, I don’t know what was going on. He didn’t kiss me, but his lips were on my neck and something was happening between us.”
“Honey, that was not a woman, that was a tramp, and she isn’t a threat any longer, so let that shit go. As for Kade’s mixed signals, he’s just another clueless man. Age doesn’t seem to fix that problem even in Arcane men.”
Mixed signals was right. “I’ll try to forget about it all, thanks.”
“Be mindful of what goes on with him, though. It sounds like there is something between you, something you may not have much control over. Arcane often stick with their own kind, and dating between races can be frowned upon.”
“What is this, the sixties all over again?”
Ginna scoffed at her. “What do you know about the sixties? But yes, their ways are outdated when it comes to that. Kade is a fine specimen of a vampire, and I’d say he’s probably worth it if what’s happening turns into more. Just be cautious—yet another thing to add danger to your life.”
“Seems to be my thing lately. But thank you for the heads up.”
“What else?” Ginna asked, raising her eyebrows in expectation.
The woman was relentless.
“It’s almost Christmas. My dad is back home, and I’m not going to get to spend it with him. I know it seems stupid, but he’s the only family that matters to me.”
“Not stupid at all. Family is important when you’re human, and after you’re bonded, you’ll have a new family that’s just as important. I’ll see what I can do.”
“No, no, Ginna, there isn’t anything anyone can do. It’s too much to travel from Scotland to Dallas in such a rush.”
“Never say never, Rookie.” Ginna raised her glass to Kelly. “Cheers.”
Kelly did the same and their glasses clinked. “Cheers.”
“Your lesson for tonight is to stop letting emotions cloud your judgment. Find me, or Fabian, and talk it out if you have to. Or go take it out in the training room, but do not let it rule your mind.”
“Right. Gotta work on that.”
“Yep.” Ginna stood to leave the bar. “Let’s go join the men for dinner.”
The men stood as they entered the dining hall.
Kelly and Ginna took their seats, and the men followed. Brodric appeared on cue with food for everyone and blood for Kade and Siri.
A thought struck Kelly. “Do you ever eat normal food?” she asked Kade.
“Nae, it doesn’y taste like it used to and serves no purpose. Seems like a waste when I dinnae need it.”
“I can’t imagine losing the desire for food,” Kelly said, digging in to the steak in front of her.
“Yer quite the foodie. When ye become a vampire, your tastes change. Blood becomes extremely appetizing, and a person’s diet, mood, blood type… they all affect how it tastes.” He held up his glass to her. “I can’y say this is the best, being from a bag, but back in the day when we drank it straight from the vein, there was nothing like it.” He closed his eyes, reminiscing.
Kelly shivered involuntarily. “Eww.”
Fabian chuckled. “Where is your sense of adventure, Warrior?”
“Oh, I have one. It just doesn’t involve the taste of blood.”
“Speaking of adventure, I hear ye have a dilemma with Christmas.”
Kelly looked at him, then at Ginna, and back to Kade. “Shit. Shit. You heard that entire conversation, didn’t you?” She dropped her fork and put her head in her hands. “This is so embarrassing.”
“I did try to tune out the bits about me,” Kade said with a smile.
Kelly felt her cheeks heat up. “Oh, sure you did. I’m never having a private conversation within a mile of you again.”
“Dinnae fash, I wasn’y within earshot for the whole conversation. I just heard that ye want to see yer da for Christmas.”
“Don’t lie to make me feel better.”
“Lying to make people feel better is a human trait. It is a waste of time and energy,” Fabian chimed in.
“Aye, it is,” Kade said. “Anyway, I’ve been thinking about going back to Dallas. I need to meet with someone who might have information on Eric’s involvement in all of this. I worked with Mother to purchase a house in a safe location. I have a team working on it now to place wards and install a security system. It should be ready within twenty-four hours. We can leave late tomorrow if ye like, and we’ll be there in time for Christmas with yer da.”
Kelly’s eyes went wide. “Really? You’ll really take me all the way back there and set up a house, just so I can be with him?”
“Well, there is a business need. I need to be closer to the Council and…”
Fabian cleared his throat and shook his head at Kade.
Kelly had caught on by now. That was Fabian’s way of protecting Kade from himself.
“Right, well,” Kade continued, “aye, let’s leave tomorrow. Yer da can come join us for Christmas.”
Kelly had gone from wanting to squeal with joy to simply being thankful that Kade was trying to accommodate her human side. “Thank you. I’ll call him tomorrow to tell him. I really appreciate it.”
Kade just nodded at her before taking another sip of blood. She would never get used to that.
The rest of dinner passed without any significant events or conversations, and Kelly decided to turn in early to get some time to herself.
When she reached her bedroom door, she felt a presence behind her and turned to catch Kade sneaking up behind her. She was proud of herself for noticing him instead of being startled and jumping out of her skin.
“What’s up?” she asked, knowing he didn’t come this way to go to his own room.
“I wanted to check on ye, see how yer first day with everything went.”
“It was fine, thanks; just long. I just want some time to myself to let my mind rest.” She turned to open her door, and he caught her wrist.
She stared at him, daring him to do anything more. He didn’t, but he kept hold of her wrist. The icy feel of his skin sent shivers up her arm, but the look on his face made her hot to her core.
His nostrils flared again, and she wanted to reprimand her body for telling him all about her desires.
“Kade, I, um, I think I should turn in.”
Kelly’s back was to her door in a blur of movement. Kade held her hands, fingers entwined with hers. His face was inches from her own.
Her heart betrayed her, beating so hard that it nearly leapt from her chest.
“The things ye do to me, lass.” Kade looked into her eyes, his stare so intense.
Remembering what she’d learned, Kelly pulled her gaze from his.
“I will nae compel ye. Look at me.”
She did. For the first time, she let herself stare into his gray eyes and lost herself in him. That feeling she’d had when he’d held her in the plaza just a few nights ago came rushing back. She was safe and secure. But more than that, she was whole, and she felt more powerful than she’d ever been.
He kissed her then, fierce and demanding, willing her to give in to him. She opened her lips to him and melted into his kiss. His tongue danced with hers in slow and sensual moves.
Caught in the moment, Kelly licked at his lips and grazed her tongue on one of his fangs, drawing a touch of blood.
Kade froze, leaving Kelly breathing heavily against him.
Her mind tried to catch up to the events her body had orchestrated. Confused by Kade’s stillness, she looked up at him. Her breath caught, and she couldn’t help the fear that suddenly ran through her veins.
His eyes weren’t gray any more; beautiful amber orbs stared back at her with a look of pure hunger.