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She cocked an eyebrow. “Did you steal them?”

“Hardly. But you would try to run after me on that ankle and really be in pain. At least with it here, you wouldn’t go far.”

She flattened her lips into a line. “Point taken.”

I stood. “As much as I enjoy nature, I wonder if we wouldn’t be more comfortable elsewhere,” I blurted. If I didn’t get this out, I would lose my nerve.

“What do you mean?”

“You can no longer hike out of here on your own. I have a place just outside of the park. I would be honored if you would be my guest for a few days while you heal.” I stood tall, delivering the invitation as I would to a queen.

Her eyes clouded as she considered my words. “I’m safe here.” She gestured toward her circle.

“From supernaturals, yes. But I give you my word that you will also be safe in my home. I do not wish you any harm, and it will allow us to determine our next steps.”

Her muscles tensed, her pressed lips bordering on a frown. “What makes you think we’re working together?”

“Other than your exasperatedfinelast night, it is a hope—one I wish you would share. I’m not ready to be rid of you.” It was the closest I could come without admitting my feelings for her, however odd they seemed—to feel this way for a witch after nine hundred years. At least if she helped search for the Cure, it would give me time to figure it out.

Aurora

My heart raced at Mac’s invitation as he gazed at me with an impossible warmth in his eyes that I wanted to shrink away from. His eyes should be cold—filled with death. Looking at them for too long should send a chill down my spine.

He was an impossibility, a vampire who felt—who cared. Nothing about him aligned with what the coven had taught me about their focus on evil and death. It drew me to him, but I needed to be free from him.

My dream returned to my mind, feeling Mac’s hand between my legs in complete rapture until his teeth sank into my neck. What did it mean? I couldn’t deny the looks he gave me nor the way my body responded to them. Logically, it made no sense.

“If it makes you feel better, I can help you rearrange a room so you can cast a circle in it, just like you have here, only much more comfortable.”

I shifted on the rock. “Where is this place?”

He pointed down the river. “About ten miles west of here, just before you get to town.”

In town, a train could take me to the airport and home. I just needed to get the lineage from him. I bit the inside of my cheek, weighing my options. It would be nice to have a hot shower and a comfortable bed for a few days. I looked at the ring on my finger, and warmth filled my body as though it was telling me to trust the vampire.

“Alright,” I said with a nod. “Just remember, if you try to harm me, I won’t hold back.”

“Understood. I’m sure you have more than one weapon with you.”

“As well as the magic at my disposal,” I said harshly, focusing on him. Pulling energy from my ring and pendant, I narrowed my eyes at him. His hand flew to his head as he doubled forward in pain. “Just a small taste.”

“Remind me not to piss you off,” he said, wheezing. “What was that?”

“My coven holds power over blood. That was yours boiling. It won’t kill you, but I’m told it sure hurts like hell.”

“Yes. Whoever told you that certainly wasn’t lying.” He rubbed his hand across his brow as he healed. “Shall we dismantle your camp and go?”

Satisfied now that he was aware harming me was not in the cards for him, I nodded. “Sure. Do you want to help me pack up?”

He glanced around the edge of the circle, uncertainty etching his face. “Are you going to let me in?”

I smiled. “Yes, you may come in.”

He pursed his lips. “Wait, this is…?”

I nodded. “Like a home, yes. I have to invite you in or let down the circle. Inviting you in was easier. But you’ll have to wait for me to get my bag to break the circle to leave.”

Mac’s eyes grew wide as he took a tentative step toward me. I couldn’t suppress my giggle. I never thought I would see the day I watched a powerful vampire hesitate to step forward.