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But it was Raphael who found me first. No sooner had I taken a few steps into the warm tavern than the vampire was at my side. His hood had fallen back just slightly so I could see his red eyes, blazing, even though they were hidden from onlookers.

“Why do you smell like a male?”

Chapter Nine

I jerked back.

“None of your business.”Could he really smell Tom from that brief contact?

The look Raphael gave me was chiding. “It is, since you’re under my protection and the biggest threat to you at present is men of your own species.”

No, the biggest threat to me was the bossy vampire. Who was he to chide me? He’d run off, and I’d navigated the village, getting us supplies on my own and avoiding any suspicions from the townspeople on my own.

I shoved past him to get to the counter. I had a little of the stolen gold left, and I’d be damned if I’d let an ornery vampire deny me a warm meal while he made a scene.

“I just met a nice boy,” I grumbled, snagging a seat at a recently emptied table.

Raphael slid into the stool across from me, utterly casual. His back was to the room, his red eyes fixed on me. I glanced around to see if anyone realized a vampire was in their midst, but no one reacted. The thought of how easily he moved around among humans sent chills down my spine. And he could enthrall people with a single look?

I’d thought the scariest thing about vampires was their fangs. The violent animal their human-shaped bodies contained. But no. Their true gifts were apparently much worse.

“A nice boy,” Raphael murmured. His tone was mocking, in that soft, sensual way that made it clear he was playing a game I didn’t know the rules to. “Is that what you like?”

Where was the bartender? “It doesn’t seem like any of your business.”

My cheeks warmed, and I could feel Raphael’s gaze fix on them. The blood rushing under them. Then his attention drifted lower, taking in my clothing. I regretted the indulgence. The clothes I’d been wearing had been threadbare and shapeless. Now, the blouse clung to my frame, cut a bit low. It might’ve been immodest except for the fact my body was nearly stick straight.

He didn’t leer. I couldn’t accuse him of that. But he saw me in a way that left me feeling utterly exposed.

“Is that what you want, Samara?” he goaded. “A simple village boy who will whisper sweet nothings in your ear?”

I wanted to snap back something clever. In truth, anything I said would’ve come out petulant and stammered. I was saved when the barmaid finally spotted us and strolled over, a sway in her hips I could never manage.

She sashayed over to the table, a pleasant smile to me before she turned to face Raphael.

Her eyes widened in shock, mouth quivering for a second before she opened it, about to yell. How had Raphael been so stupid to—

“You notice nothing unusual about me. I am just another man with plain blue eyes.”

His tone was even, unhurried. From the moment he began to speak, the shaking stopped, and she stared deep into his eyes. Then, as if in a trance, she nodded.

Thrall.

My mouth went dry. So that was what it looked like. I fingered the card at my side. Would I use it on myself? Or to protect the barmaid?

“Well, what can I get you, sir?” Her words were unafraid. She really didn’t realize she was talking to a vampire.

Actually… her gaze was no longer fixed on his eyes. Instead, it roamed around the angles of Raphael’s face, his sharp jaw, full lips, and then dipped lower.

“Nothing for me.”

“You sure?” Her voice dropped slightly. “I can’t get youanythingyou might like?”

“How kind,” he drawled. “But no. My companion, however, is hungry.”

Actually, seeing him hypnotize the barmaid had knocked down my ever-present appetite. But it would be childish not to take advantage and force at least something down my throat. “A cup of soup, please.”

She nodded and turned to go, but Raphael stopped her. “And of course, a full dinner. Roast chicken or whatever is cooking in the kitchen, vegetables, potatoes, and something sweet.”