House of Royals(22)

“So what am I supposed to do?” I ask. “Just run away and never look back?”

“To hell with running,” Ian says as his brows furrow and his eyes grow dark. “You go into that House with all the educated cards in your deck and you burn it clean from the inside out.”





WITH THE LACK OF A cell phone since mine disappeared the night of my attack and the desperate need to stay in communication with Rath, Ian agrees to take me into town with him and Elle. But I have to ride in the back of the van, where there are no windows, and keep out of sight. As the van bumps and jostles on the dirt road into town, I’m already dreading how hot it is going to get in here waiting while they do their shopping.

After parking at the shop, Ian turns in his seat. “Try to stay out of trouble.”

“I’ll do my best,” I say, giving him a condescending smile.

“We’ll try to hurry,” Elle says, looking at least sorry that I’m having to wait here.

I wave goodbye to her as they climb out. I wonder how much she knows about what’s going on with me. Because Ian has never told her anything with me around. But it sounds like she’s well informed about her brother’s world. I guess it is her world, too, since she lives in this town.

I sit so I can see out the front window, but am still blocked by the seats. I watch the townspeople as they mill about. It’s a beautiful town, old but clean. There’s a lot of history here. Centuries of families living and dying and being born. Paladon, Colorado never felt like this. Some towns have a soul, even if they’re dark. Silent Bend has an old soul.

It’s bright outside and probably pushing ninety degrees with eighty percent humidity. It’s going to take a while to get used to.

I hate this. I hate hiding, feeling like I’m prey and the predator is going to pounce regardless of how prepared I feel. Ian is well trained and looks prepared, but there’s an entire House of vampires that want me. And here I am, practically just waiting for it.

Such bullshit.

The heat is already stifling and I feel a bead of sweat rolling down my back. Heat pools between my breasts. I fan my shirt around me.

Such a stupid idea. I should have just stayed back at the cabin. Like a good little prisoner.

I look back up out the window just in time to see a woman pulling on her giant dog, which is leaping and jumping at something I can’t see. The woman gives one little shriek before the dog pulls her awkwardly off the curb and she goes down on her ankle. Hard.

I don’t think. I just spring from the van, slamming the door closed behind me. There’s no one else close by and the woman is laying awkwardly half on the curb, half on the street as her dog worriedly licks at her.

“Are you okay?” I say as I reach down for her. She grabs my hands, her own shaking. Carefully, I help her to her feet, but she doesn’t put any weight on the twisted ankle.

“Stupid dog,” she says with a honey smooth Southern accent. “Don’t know what he thought he was going to chase after.”

It’s no surprise he pulled her right over. He’s the biggest black Great Dane I’ve ever seen. I’m pretty certain he could eat me if I got on his bad side.

“Come here,” I say, wrapping an arm under hers. “Let’s get you to that bench.”

“Thank you,” she says, limping alongside me. It takes us about thirty seconds to make it the fifteen feet to the bench, and she collapses onto it as the dog licks her hand.

“I’d offer you a ride to the clinic, but I don’t have a car,” I offer as I sit next to her. Everything in me is itching to get back in the van and hide. And I absolutely hate that.

“Oh,” she laughs at herself. “I’ll be alright. Just need to give it a minute.” She looks at me and offers the warmest smile.

She’s a gorgeous woman. Honey brown skin. Highlighted hair that’s woven into perfect soft curls. Curves all over the place. She looks like she’s probably in her mid-thirties. She adjusts her sunglasses, which were knocked askew during her fall.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” I say with a smile. “You went down pretty hard.”

The dog shifts over to me and nudges my hand.

“Sorry,” she says. “He’s an attention hog. He just wants you to pet him. He really is a gentle giant. Don’t know what he was doing before.”

I reach out and pet him hesitantly. I love dogs, but this one is intimidating. “What’s his name?”

“Teddy,” she laughs. “He was the runt of the litter when I got him and he reminded me of a short haired teddy bear. It just kind of stuck.”

“Cute,” I say, and it’s kind of true.