Page 57

“Tonight, Amelia.”

“Then you need to leave,” I say seriously.

“We both do. People are looking for you.” The hip roll stops, which is a little upsetting if I’m honest. “Kiss me before we go out there.”

Oh, it’s my pleasure. I kiss her, taking her tongue into my mouth. Licking her lip, I gently bite down. “Now who’s teasing?” she mumbles.

“Just say the word and I’ll give you anything you want.” I’m deadly serious.

“Give me all of you,” she replies.

“You have me entirely.”

“I love you, Amelia.”

Pulling my head back, I look in her eyes. There is a fierce determination staring back at me. “Erin—”

“I love you, Amelia Loch.”

“I love you, too. I am yours, from now until forever.” The kiss this time is tender, slow, and knowing. Take away all the vampire/human crap, the drama and uncertainty and all that’s left are me and her.

“Do you promise?”

“Erin, we have to go to Ireland.”

“Um, that’s not what I expected you to say,” she giggles. “What’s in Ireland?”

“The vampire who mated with a human.”

“What?” She grabs my face forcefully. “You found him?”

“Mohan thinks he has.”

“Oh my God,” she screams. Oh my God, indeed.

Twenty-Two

“Holy shit, my feet hurt.” Erin kicks off her heels, stumbling over to the bed. The party went on far longer than I thought it would. Everyone was in the mood though, so alcohol flowed, and laughter rang out. My heart swelled as I watched Erin mingle. She’s a natural and had everyone eating out the palm of her hand.

“Yes, I don’t think I’m going to be walking far tomorrow.”

“Did you see Mohan? That vamp can dance,” she giggles.

“Surprising for his age,” I laugh.

“How old is he?” Erin is stretched across the bed, her head resting in her hand.

“Old,” I say. Mohan is closing in on a thousand years.

“I’ve got a question about that?”

“Shoot.” I fling off my own heels and settle at my vanity.

“Well, if vampires can live forever, how do you not get noticed? I mean, take the Loch family, for instance. You’re all noteworthy and gorgeous. You get noticed. How have your mother and father been around for two hundred years with no one clocking on to the fact they’ve barely aged?”

“It’s easier than you think, actually.” Placing my last diamond earring on the velvet cushion I swing ‘round to face Erin. “In the days where superstition was rife, it was a lot harder. Anyone could be accused of witchcraft, of being one with the devil. In those days, vampires moved a lot, kept to themselves. Now, it’s much easier. The world only sees what it wants to see. Of course, we have to make up stories and move now and then, but it’s rare that someone looks too closely. Plus, we can blame our youthful complexion on Botox and facelifts.”

“But there are conspiracy nuts out there. Do they ever bother you?”