Sealed With a Curse(62)

“He’s calling one of the girls who’re after him.”

Koda glanced my way. “Now?”

“Yeah, apparently they had a hot date scheduled for tonight.” Liam popped a strawberry in his mouth. “She’s texted me four times telling me everything she wants to do to Aric.” He laughed. “She sounds wilder than the last three.”

I could have smashed the fondue pot over his damn head, especially upon feeling the weight of everyone’s gaping stare. Outside, Aric paced along the length of our porch, talking low into his phone. His voice amplified, sounding angry before he finally disconnected. He hesitated at the doorway before walking slowly toward me.

“Sorry about that,” he said quietly. He motioned to the paper plates Shayna placed in my hands. “Can I help you with that?”

I shook my head and set the table, trying my best to ignore Aric. He gave me space, but the moment I finished, he stepped in front of me. “I’m sorry we were interrupted. I was enjoying our time together. Do you want to skip dessert and take a walk?”

“Don’t you have other plans?” I meant to sound harsh and cold, because then I could hide my disappointment and pain. Except the harsh and the cold flipped me off, leaving the hurt to fend for itself.

Guilt mixed with sadness along the planes of Aric’s face. “I only want to spend my night with you.”

My lips parted with surprise. I jerked away, knowing this…situation with Aric would eventually leave me devastated. And yet my tigress insisted we should take a chance. I fiddled with the plates in my hands, tracing the floral pattern before finally answering. “Okay, Aric…Let me get my shoes.”

Aric handed Danny a card. “Bring the blood vials to this address, in case we find more infected vampires.”

Danny stared at the card. “You’re staying at the Granlibakken Lodge?”

Aric nodded. “Just until we find a place to buy. We’re relatively new to the area. And while we can stay at The Den, we don’t want to live with our students full-time.”

“I’ll swing by the lab and get them to you tonight.”

Aric shook his head. “Don’t trouble yourself. It can wait.”

“It’s no trouble. Besides, I want to help.”

Bren yawned and tossed Danny his keys. We followed them into the crisp night. Mrs. Mancuso dragged out her garbage cans just as Bren and Danny piled into the car.

Bren rolled down the window and motioned me over. “Come here, Celia. I forgot to tell you something.”

Like an idiot, I went over. “Celia!” he yelled at the top of his lungs. “For the last time, I will not have sex with you!”

Danny peeled away before it cost him a roommate. I looked for Mrs. Mancuso, and she did not disappoint. From the base of her porch steps she flashed me the stiffest, meanest finger ever.

Aric couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “What a horrible woman.”

“Yes, she is.”

We meandered toward Tahoe. While most of the neighborhood remained well lit by street lamps or lighting installed to show off elaborate landscaping, only the stars blinking through the branches illuminated the path to the lake. Like Aric, I could see in the dark, and I was tough. But darkness usually made me edgy, especially after playtime at Zhahara’s. With Aric by my side, though, the instinct to be overly alert seemed unnecessary.

We crossed the main road and headed toward the beach. The clouds spread apart, and a full moon broke through as our feet hit the sand. “You seem in charge of the wolves, but at the same time, I can tell you’re close with them.”

Aric focused ahead, though nothing approached. “Gem, Koda, and Liam are more like brothers than friends. At the same time, they are my Warriors. As I am their Leader, it’s their job to protect me with their lives if necessary.”

I jumped over a sand castle that had begun to crumble and thought about what he said. “So, one day, they could possibly die for you?”

“Yes, one day I could lose them.”

Aric’s comment bothered me. I’d never allow my sisters to die for me. “Then why did you choose them?”

Aric slowed to a stop. “I didn’t, Celia. They volunteered. It’s an honor to be named a Warrior. Only our best fighters are granted that title.” He pushed the hair from his eyes. “What those knuckleheads don’t realize is that they honor me by standing at my side.” He sighed. “Nor do they realize that I would also die for them.”

“There’s nothing like family, huh? Even one you’ve made for yourself.”

“No. Nothing at all.” He flicked the silver Native American earrings I wore. When I laughed, he did it again.