Page 42 of Bewitched By a Vampire

Ellen snapped, “I’m not an invalid. I can carry my own luggage.”

Lilian tugged one from her grip anyway, refusing to get into an argument with her. They had gotten into several since Night had left. The housekeeper hadn’t been happy about the fact Night had left Lilian in charge and had slowed down the evacuation by getting in the way and trying to take over, which had only ended up confusing the staff.

The silly old woman had even cancelled the first fleet of taxis Lilian had ordered, replacing them with another company that had to come from further away.

In response, Lilian had tried to get her in the first cab. Ellen had decided to scupper that attempt to get her out from under Lilian’s feet by taking her sweet time about packing. In fact, it had apparently taken Ellen close to four hours to pack up her belongings.

Lilian marched her suitcase to the drive, bypassing the ones belonging to other staff that she had been setting out in order of departure in the foyer. She handed the case to the taxi driver and went back inside, reaching the bottom of the staircase just as Ellen did.

She grabbed the case the woman held.

Ellen tightened her grip on it. “I am not departing next.”

“You bloody well are.” Lilian yanked the luggage from her, ignoring her startled gasp. “You’re slowing down this evacuation and Night gave me orders to get everyone to safety. Your ridiculous attempts to take control of this situation are placing everyone in danger and I’m done with it.”

She stormed across the foyer. Ellen followed hot on her heels, trying to take the case back from her. Lilian didn’t complain about her dogging her every step. It was luring her towards the taxi after all.

She rounded the back of the car, shoved the luggage into the boot, and slammed it shut.

“Take this one to London. The Langham.” Lilian looked from the driver to Ellen. “Lord Van der Garde would want you comfortable. I booked you a suite.”

Ellen spluttered.

Lilian opened the rear door of the car and almost pushed her into it, quickly closing it behind her so she couldn’t escape.

As the car pulled away, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Only seven more staff to go.

She paused and looked at the spot where Night’s pretty little sportscar had been parked all week.

Mother earth, his kiss had been electric, just as she had dreamed it would be. She wished everything that had come afterwards had never happened. She had wanted to stay in that bubble with him, the two of them the only people in the world. Nothing else had mattered in that moment. There had only been him and her, sharing a kiss that had felt as if it should be the beginning of something wonderful.

Only it had been the end.

She couldn’t erase from her mind the look that had been in Night’s eyes when he had left her.

That look had said he had known she would be gone by the time he got back.

It had been a goodbye.

One that wrenched at her heart still.

She wasn’t sure what she was going to do once she was the only one left at the mansion. She wasn’t sure whether to leave or not. Her orders were clear. Her mission was still active and her coven was expecting her to carry it out as planned.

But the thought of becoming entwined in a war between vampires and demons belonging to the Devil had her wanting to throw in the towel.

She had never been so close to being done with this mission.

The only thing stopping her was the fact it would mean she was done with her coven too.

Her family.

They wouldn’t forgive her if she walked away. This mission was important to them, and it had been important to her too when she had reluctantly accepted it. They were relying on her.

Bastian was relying on her. He just didn’t know it.

If she threw in the towel, her coven would hunt him down and kill him, and she had no doubt in her mind or her heart that his brothers would seek revenge.