That was a lot to take in. And could potentially be a good thing. How cool would it be to have other people working with her to eradicate the vampire menace? And to maybe even get paid for it?
Paid. Awesome.
“That sounds pretty good, actually.”
“Yes, it does,” he agreed. “You and Sean would fare much better if you worked for the network and had their support.”
“Then why don’t you look happy about it?”
“Because until he assures himself that you and your brother pose no threat to us, Chris will be a hard-nosed bastard and I don’t want him to upset you.”
Étienne was upset because he didn’t want her to be upset?
That was so sweet. It made her feel all mushy inside. And made her wonder . . . “Why?” she asked. “Why would it bother you so much if I were upset?”
“Honestly?”
“Yes.”
He shook his head and fingered a strand of her hair. “Because I like you far more than I should.”
Her heart began to pound once more. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
And she thought it wasn’t? She had spent the past six years hunting down and destroying men infected with the same virus that infected Étienne. She was pretty much going on faith here that he wasn’t like them, though his words and actions were pretty damned convincing. Plus . . .
He was immortal.
She was mortal.
Liking each other too much could have some serious consequences.
He gave her a faint smile. “You mimicked my thoughts so closely I may as well have spoken them aloud.”
“Stop reading my thoughts,” she murmured without heat or anger.
“Stop broadcasting them,” he said, equally hushed. “You haven’t told me your gift, Krysta.”
She did not want to go there. “Could we maybe save that for another time?” Everyone she had ever told (outside of her family—and there had been precious few) had thought her a nutcase.
“If you wish. But you will receive no mockery or condemnation from me when you do. I’ve dealt with the surreal and paranormal all of my life. Very little surprises me anymore.”
“Fine.” Hoping he would be the one person who wouldn’t think she either needed a straitjacket or was bullshitting, she drew in a deep breath, ordered herself not to feel hurt if he laughed, and said, “I can see auras.”
“Auras. The glowing colors some say surround people? Those are real?”
She breathed a little easier. He sounded curious, not doubtful. “Yes.”
“How does that help you hunt?”
“What do you mean?”
“The only mortals who can hold their own in battles with vampires are gifted ones whose particular talents give them some kind of edge. How does reading auras help you?”
She hesitated, wanting to tell him, but . . .
He smiled. “Not quite ready to trust?”
“This is all a lot to take in. I just don’t want to—”
“Don’t worry,” he said, touching her shoulder again. “I understand and can wait for you to tell me in your own time.” He winked. “No need to share all of our secrets at once.”
Which implied he thought they would be spending more time with each other and could share secrets later.
The notion pleased Krysta far more than it should.
Chapter 6
“Who are you and why are you sniffing after Ami?”
Zach raised an eyebrow at the question and fought back a smile when Roland’s wife grimaced.
“Really, sweetie? You couldn’t have worded that a little less . . .”
“Offensively?” Lisette suggested.
“Thank you.”
“No,” Roland grumbled, scowling. “Answer the question. What do you want from Ami?”
Zach arched a brow. “Lollipops?”
Sarah grabbed Roland’s arm and stopped him as he drew back a foot to level a powerful kick Zach’s way. “Honey, you know Seth doesn’t like fighting amongst the ranks. What’s he going to do if this one shows up bloodied?”
Roland glared at Zach. “He’s immortal. As long as I don’t remove a limb, he’ll heal before Seth sees him.”
Zach felt Lisette’s gaze. She had been quiet since he had awakened. The second time. He had awoken this morning, but, upon realizing she had gone, had feigned unconsciousness all day until sheer boredom had coaxed him into sleeping for real. When he had opened his eyes the second time, she had been standing nearby, talking to her brother on the phone.
Her pulse had picked up a bit when she had noticed he was awake. Unfortunately, the only words she had spoken before her friends’ arrival had been into the phone to Roland, alerting him to Zach’s return to consciousness. The rest of the time she had merely studied Zach silently with those piercing, light brown eyes.