Until the Sun Falls from the Sky(51)

“Cecile’s going home,” Lucien declared and I felt my mouth drop open as Jordan’s eyes narrowed on Lucien’s hand then on Lucien.

We were almost home free and now foiled by Lucien who was also obviously of the demented vampire sort.

“I beg your pardon?” Jordan asked Lucien.

“It’s okay, Lucien,” Cecile whispered.

“Don’t do this,” Lucien clipped to Cecile.

“It’s okay,” she repeated.

Lucien dropped his hand but he didn’t admit defeat. “Your family won’t agree.”

I watched as her face paled again.

“I’m not sure this is your business,” Jordan butted in, coming closer to the threesome that included Lucien, Cecile and me.

“I’ve selected three of her line, not including her, it’s my business,” Lucien returned.

“You released her just over a week ago,” Jordan snapped. “You had your fill, you’re out.”

My eyes turned to Cecile. This was Lucien’s last concubine.

I didn’t want to meet any of Lucien’s concubines but definitely not the gorgeous, willowy redhead that was his last concubine.

Why did my life suck so much?

Why?

However at that moment I suspected Cecile’s life sucked more which made my heart go out to her, regardless of the earlier lip curl.

Lucien ignored Jordan and kept focus on Cecile. “You know what you lose if you walk down that hall.”

“Lucien –” she started.

He cut her off. “I’ll take it from you.”

Her eyes fell to the floor and she whispered, “I know.”

“Go home,” Lucien ordered.

Her eyes lifted and they were pleading when she repeated, “Lucien.”

“Go home.”

Her gaze flitted to me then back to Lucien and she pulled her arm free of Jordan.

“I miss it,” she whispered.

“You’ll find someone to give it back to you but not here,” Lucien replied. “Go home.”

“I don’t believe this shit,” Jordan hissed.

Lucien’s eyes cut to Jordan. “Janette’s at the feeding. If I’m remembering correctly, she’s your taste.”

“I’ve had her,” Jordan returned.

“Have her again,” Lucien clipped back.

Another macho vampire staring contest ensued and this one was far, far, far more dangerous and definitely scarier than the first.

“Um…” I butted in proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was indeed deranged as all eyes swung to me and all six of them (including Lucien’s) were incredulous. “Can I just say,” my gaze went to Cecile, I swallowed and sallied forth. “You’re beautiful. Gorgeous. Change can suck. Trust me, I know. But, honest to God, you’ll find someone the minute you start looking. All you’ll have to do is snap your fingers. Sure, he won’t be able to move at the speed of light and he won’t feed on human blood but there are always problems in a relationship. Am I right?”

For a second there was complete and total silence and I thought maybe I might have stepped over a line I should never, ever, ever, ever have crossed.

I really should have paid attention in Vampire Studies. I was seeing the error of my ways now.

Then I was curled forcefully into Lucien’s body, his hand in my hair shoving my face in his chest, a chest that was moving, rocking deeply, weirdly, until I figured it out. And I figured it out right before he let out a shout of amused laughter.

I relaxed into him and peeked over my shoulder at Cecile and Jordan.

Cecile had lost her haughty disdain and was watching me with a look that was astonished at the same time it was sad and confused.

Jordan was watching me too, a grin playing on his lips and also, to my shock, he looked amused.

Cecile turned to Jordan and asked quietly, “Will you be angry if I go home?”

Jordan sighed. “It’ll be a loss, dearest, but by all means, scurry home and save your reputation.”

Her look became grateful. It swung to Lucien then even to me before she turned and swanned down the hall.

My eyes moved to Jordan when he spoke and I realized he was speaking to me.

“I hope to see you at another Feast. The next time, heading in the other direction.”

“I wouldn’t hold your breath,” Lucien remarked dryly.

Jordan didn’t take his eyes from me when he asked, “She didn’t fancy it?”

“Not even a little bit,” Lucien answered.

“Shame,” Jordan muttered. I shivered, Lucien’s arm tightened and Jordan lifted a hand and then he was gone.

Just like that.

Whoosh.

One second there, the next second he disappeared.

Lucien uncurled me from his body and walked me down the hall. This time he didn’t take my hand but kept his arm around my shoulders.