Page 33

Caleb’s eyes narrowed on the outstretched hand. “I am?”

“Anyone who’ll take on Regan must have balls—”

“Shut up, Darius,” Gina muttered.

He grinned. “Hey, your sister has tried to kill me at least twice.”

“And next time, I’ll let her do it.”

“No, you won’t.”

He pulled her against him and kissed her. Caleb folded his arms and watched, fascinated. Catrin came to stand next him and he glanced down. She lifted one shoulder. “They’re newlyweds,” she said.

“Vampires get married?”

“Obviously. Come on, I’ll make us some coffee.”

Caleb thought about arguing, but the evening had taken on a surreal quality, and coffee sounded like a good idea. Scotch sounded like an even better one. He allowed Catrin to lead him around the kissing couple and into the kitchen.

She pushed him toward one of the chairs around the big wooden table and then put the coffeemaker on. Then she went to a cupboard, got out a bottle, and poured him a long drink.

He had a brief memory of Regan telling him that Catrin had drugged his drink the last time. Then he shrugged and took it. “Are you a mind reader?”

It wasn’t meant to be a literal question, but she considered it anyway.

“Sometimes,” she answered. “But I tend to see emotions rather than actual thoughts.” She paused. “Though sometimes I see thoughts as well.”

“Great,” he said.

She grinned. “Don’t worry, I can’t see yours. You just looked like you needed a drink.”

Taking a long swallow, Caleb sat back in his chair and waited. He had to admit he was curious.

A minute later, Gina and Darius entered the room. They both took seats opposite Caleb, and he sipped his drink and tried not to twitch under their intense stares. Catrin put mugs of coffee in front of them all and sat down next to him.

“So, Caleb,” Gina said. “Tell us all about yourself.”

Caleb frowned, and across the table, Darius grinned.

“They’ll get the details out of you in the end,” he said. “So you might as well give it up now and tell them what they want to know.”

Caleb reached across to where Catrin had left the bottle and topped off his drink. “Except I have no idea what it is they want to know.”

“All about you and Regan, for a start. I must admit, I’m a little curious about that myself.”

“There is no Regan and me.”

“Okay, maybe we’ll leave that part for now. So, you’re a werewolf?”

“No.” His gaze wandered slowly over the other man. “So, you’re a vampire?”

“Yes, and not ashamed to admit it. Then again, I don’t turn into an animal at regular intervals. I’d probably be ashamed of that, too.”

Caleb was aware the other man was trying to get a rise out of him. “I’m not ashamed, but I was born, not bitten. I’m half werewolf.”

“What’s the other half?” Darius asked.

Caleb frowned. “Human, of course.”