Chapter 8 #2
Darian smiled. “That proves you have power, Miss Davis. You bring the power, we bring the knowledge, and together”—his smile widened to a grin, baring his teeth—“we can go hunting.”
It wasn’t difficult for Cally to allow all her concerns and trepidation to rise to the surface. “You’ve just explained in graphic detail how difficult vampires are to kill, and now you want me to risk my life for your Order?”
“You are far too valuable to risk,” Darian said, watching her with something akin to reverence in his eyes. “It will be my honor to keep you safe at all times. However, even far back from the line of fire, you would still be a significant asset.”
“Asset?” Cally echoed, arching a brow.
Darian hesitated, then looked sheepish. It made him seem less the federal agent type and more human. “Too many years using military slang. Forgive me. What I meant is that you would still be a great help, and”—he paused, his gaze steady as he held hers—“there’s no way I’d let any harm come to you.”
“We still haven’t agreed to anything,” Cally reminded him.
“I want to see your books,” Eve spoke up, her tone firm. “I want to review what you claim you have and see how authentic it is.”
Darian’s lips twitched as though he found Eve entertaining. “How’s your Latin?”
“Not as good as my French,” Cally muttered. She looked at Eve.
“I did a few years at school. Most boring subject ever.”
“And your Gaelic?”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Well, no matter,” Darian said. “We’ve translated it all into English, but there are nuances in the original texts that may have been valuable.
” He crossed to one of the bookshelves, unhesitatingly pulling out a large, leather-bound volume.
“Why don’t I show you to your rooms. No doubt you need some time to consider what I’ve told you before we meet with Mr. Alexander for dinner this evening.
” He passed the book to Eve. “I’m sure you’ll find this an interesting read. ”
Eve clutched it to her chest, as much for its size and weight as its value, and Cally could tell she couldn’t wait to open it.
*
It came as no surprise that the house was a mansion, with two more floors and plenty of large bedrooms.
Cally paused by the large window on the staircase, looking out over the expansive grounds down to a lake in the distance.
“Do you like it?” Darian asked.
“Difficult not to like,” she replied, her voice distant and thoughtful. “It’s beautiful.”
“Yes, it is,” he said simply, then turned away, leading them up to the next floor.
Eve frowned at the window, then turned to Darian. “You’re being less circumspect in what you let us see. Without hoods, I mean.”
Just what I was thinking.
He stopped three steps up. “Well, you’ve been accepted now. Only up to a certain point is it practical to hide what and where we are. Eventually, there has to be trust.”
“We still haven’t agreed to anything,” Cally reminded him, for what felt like the third or fourth time.
Darian didn’t look impressed. “Knowing what you now know, how could you go back to the lives you had before?”
He turned again, carrying on up the stairs. Cally shared a look with Eve, and they followed.
She really wanted to discuss everything they’d seen and heard, but it would be foolish to assume the Order wasn’t monitoring them every step of the way. They’d agreed as much before they’d even boarded the plane.
Darian showed them to two suites, opposite one another across the corridor.
“Please make yourselves comfortable. Dinner is at seven.” He checked his watch.
“Five hours and change. I’ll come to collect you.
” He hesitated. “Regretfully, I must ask you not to attempt to explore the house or grounds. Your bags have been delivered and there’s food and televisions in your rooms, but if you need anything else, call four-three-eight on the room phone, and it will connect to me. ”
“Fine,” Cally said. It wasn’t as if there was much choice. She and Eve shared a look in wordless agreement and headed for their rooms, neither one feeling a need to say goodbye to Darian. Cally felt more like a prisoner than a guest; did her jailer warrant civility?
The room was large, with plenty of rich, dark wood and an enormous four-poster bed, but Cally barely registered it. She gave Darian time to walk away, then opened the door to her room at the same moment Eve opened hers. They faced each other across the hallway.
“Nice rooms,” Eve said flatly after a breath or two, and shifted the heavy tome she was still holding.
“Join me for some lunch?” Cally suggested, not feeling in the least bit hungry.
“Oh, delightful.” Eve rolled her eyes.
They walked into Cally’s room to explore the platters of food set out: fresh fruit, finger sandwiches, sealed bottles of mineral water.
Cally took a grape and cracked a bottle of water, crossing to the window to stare out over the grounds. A light drizzle had begun, and she opened the window, breathing in the scent of rain in the air, letting it soothe the tension coiled under her skin.
“Interesting morning,” she said. They’d be listening; they’d expect them to discuss something.
“A lot to take in,” Eve agreed. “We’ve got hours to kill. I think I might do a little reading.” She patted the tome.
“Read in here if you like,” Cally said lightly, making the invitation for the benefit of the electronic ears. There was no way Eve would want to be alone. “I’m going to take a shower.” She felt a need to wash off the lingering feel of this place.
Eve perked up, lips twitching with mischief. “Need any help?”
Cally gave her a flat look but secretly welcomed the playfulness. Eve had been so serious all morning that Cally had worried for her.
“Tempting, but I need the time to think,” she said. Then she leaned into the opportunity Eve had provided. “Come here, you.”
Eve froze, hazel eyes wide, caught like a figure in stone as Cally stepped in and cupped the side of her neck in a move reminiscent of Antoine, before bringing her lips to Eve’s ear. “How much have you bought into what Darian has told us?”
“Oh, yes,” Eve recovered quickly and gave a little sigh, pressing herself into Cally’s embrace.
Cally smirked, knowing her friend was playing for the microphones—that may not even have been there—but also enjoying the opportunity to flirt.
Eve kissed the side of Cally’s neck before whispering, “I believed everything Darian told us, and I think he believes it too. The real question is, what are we going to do about it?”
Cally hadn’t expected the kiss, and her pulse jumped.
But this was Eve, and Cally had instigated, after all.
“I don’t know, but we can’t decide while we’re here.
Let’s have the damn dinner, then wait until we’re home.
Main goal? See if that book has anything valuable, and if it has, try and get it on loan. ”
“God, are you sure I can’t come and shower with you?
” Eve moaned loudly, her hands slipping down to grab Cally’s ass through her jeans and pull her closer.
Then she breathed her real response into Cally’s ear—assuming they weren’t both real responses.
“Agreed. Let’s play along over dinner, cooperate, and give them what they want. Try not to be too… you?”
Cally tensed at the feel of Eve’s hands on her butt, then smiled wickedly as she upped the ante.
“Oh babe, if we were back home, of course we’d shower together.
But here, I’d feel uncomfortable.” She pulled Eve closer, their bodies pressed together, and murmured, “You think I’m being too resistant? ”
Eve shivered against her, then stilled. It was a moment before she spoke again. “I think your cooperation is really important to them, and they’re trying hard.”
“Hmm. Maybe you’re right. Fine, let’s be good little guests.”
“That’s probably best. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, right?” She gave a full-body shudder and another moan. “Also, you’re evil. I’m so horny right now.”
“I’m sorry,” Cally muttered, feeling guilty for overstepping. “I shouldn’t have done that. I just thought it was… you know, with the microphones and everything…”
“I’m not sorry.” Eve pulled back enough to give Cally a grin, then said louder, “I love the feel of your ass.” She squeezed it for good measure.
Cally slipped away with a wry chuckle. “I’m going to take that shower.”
“Such a hot image.” Eve waggled her eyebrows. “I’m going to try and calm down enough to read.” Her playful expression fell away, her forehead creasing. “Can I… can I stay in here?”
Cally gave her a smile, full of love for this wonderful woman, yet poignant because it could never be the type of love Eve wanted. “Of course you can.”