Page 75 of The Vampire Debt
I don’t understand this thing I have with her. Over the last several weeks, we have somehow formed a tenuous trust between us.
As much as I know I should hate her, that notion has long since left me. I find it impossible to hate what I desire.
If what nearly happened those few nights ago is any indication, she wants me as well.
But there are things far too important between us that have yet to be put to words.
* * *
I pour two glasses of brandy and hand one to Lawrence. He takes it and swirls the liquid around and around, the ice clinks lyrically against the glass as he lounges back on the sofa, feet propped up on the cushion near the fire.
I look out the window at the grounds below, bathed in the light of the silver moon. Scowling at the night, I place an arm against the pane, resting my forehead against it, then take a slow sip of my drink.
The weight of an arm slides onto my shoulder. I turn to glare at the man at my side, looking for all the world as though his presence here was because he wanted my company and not because he was sent by the queen bitch herself.
“What is the real reason you are here, Lawrence?” I ask.
He takes a sip of his drink. Pulling a face, he says, “This might be the finest brandy made, but it is deplorable next to fresh blood.” He swirls his drink again before downing the remainder. “Your scent was on her, but not as it should be.”
I throw my head back and swallow my drink in one gulp. “Leave it be, Lawrence.”
Lawrence walks to the fireplace and leans on the mantle, staring into the fire. He is restless tonight and that is never a good sign. “You’ve not marked her yet. Elizabeth will not be happy.”
“Just answer the damn question.”
“You know why I’m here, Alaric. Don’t play stupid. You’ve never claimed a human before. You had to know Elizabeth would be interested in who managed to catch your attention after all these years. If you had drank her blood and killed her, I could report that, and we could be done with this whole mess. But you haven’t.” He turns his piercing gray eyes on me, accusingly.
“It’s pointless for her to make a fuss. Clara has nothing to do with her.”
“She lives with you as if she were more than a claimed human. You not only haven’t bothered to drink from her sweet little veins, but you’ve refused to mark her. That makes her fair game for any vampire that comes within five miles of her.”
A low, warning growl rumbles up from my chest. I know it’s a mistake the second it fills the room. I take a deep breath and try to regain my composure. “She doesn’t wish to be marked and I will not force any part of this life on her or anyone for that matter.”
“You already forced this life on her the second you claimed her,” he snaps back.
I want to lash out at him for saying as much, but it is the truth.
Lawrence narrows his eyes. “I don’t know what is going on between the two of you, but your behavior toward her is strange for a vampire, even for you. She is only a human.”
“There is nothing between Clara and I.” I focus on keeping all trace of emotion from my face.
Lawrence throws his glass into the fire. The flames jump and brighten then return to normal.
“Demon shit.” He runs a hand over his face then huffs out a deep sigh, resting his fists on his hips. “I won’t say she is unmarked, but I do have to report that you have a human with you, alive. And you know that Elizabeth will expect you both to be there in two months’ time with the rest of us. Your solitary bullshit won’t work as an excuse any longer.”
“I see no reason to go traipsing halfway across the world because her highness is curious.”
“Whatisit about this human that has you acting like this?” He waves a hand up and down. “You’re in denial.” He stops speaking suddenly, and in a blink, he’s only inches in front of me. “You have feelings for her?” his voice is tainted with disgust.
“Don’t be absurd,” I say, sneering.
He bursts out laughing. “You never could lie, old friend. The casual nature between you two says otherwise, and the lack of your scent on her is telling. But no matter, the details are not important. Though whatever it is, hurry and be done with it soon. Fuck her and mark her or kill her if you must. Do whatever it is you need to in order to get her out of your system—but do it before the winter solstice.”
The sound of hoof beats thundering up the road silences any further words on the tip of my tongue. For the second time today, a large black carriage comes into view over the hill, this one led by horses so black, even the moonlight doesn’t shine on their coats.
“Elizabeth will expect you to give in to her now that you have claimed a human at last,” Lawrence says quietly.
My stomach churns at the thought.
The carriage pulls up to the front, and from within, three figures clad in black step out.
Clara is out of time.
The others have arrived.