Page 22 of Twisted

Idon’t think, just react, and I summon a ball of energy and throw it at Xavier’s back.It hits him right between his muscular shoulders and he tenses, shocked more by the fact that I attacked him than by the pain.

All at once, he releases Alan and rounds on me.Blood is on his face as he takes my arms and brings me close to his body.His skin is cool, yet heat comes off him in waves.

“You are my wife,” he says in a low growl.“No one talks to my wife like that and gets away with it.”

I open my mouth only to close it again.The insult was there, just barely.You are different from the others.In a good way, I promise.Which is why I don’t understand why you’d get yourself tangled up in this—Alan didn’t need to finish what he was saying for me to know how he feels about humans getting personally involved with vampires.Which is kinda fucking ironic for someone employed by them, but that’s not the point.

Xavier’s hands slowly move down my arms, stopping when his fingers get to my hands.There’s something delicate in his touch despite the fact that he could close his fists and crush every bone in my wrist without breaking a sweat.

“I’m not your wife,” I say, hating how breathy and small my voice comes out.“Not yet.”

“You will be before midnight tonight.”

I inhale slowly, looking right into his dark blue eyes.“I don’t even know you.”

“That doesn’t matter,” he replies gently.“Besides, you can get to know me.”

“True, though dealing with a dead employee might put a damper on it.”

Xavier’s fingers sweep down my hand and I can’t help but notice how large his hands are.I blink and the image of his hands on my body flashes before my eyes.Sex with a vampire is supposed to be an incredible experience…or so I’ve heard.

And a vampire as old as Xavier has had centuries of experience and practice.A man like this—tall, muscular, and powerful—is sure to break your back…and then your heart.I look him dead in the eyes and make a promise to myself: I will not fall in love with this man.

This monster.

“He’ll be fine.”Xavier steps back and turns, locking eyes with Alan.“Clean yourself up.And if you ever feel like flirting with my wife again—”

“Not your wife,” I interrupt.

Xavier presses his lips together and huffs.“You have no desire to talk to Florence unless you are asking her about food to eat.”

Alan, held spellbound, gets to his feet and nods.He puts his hand over his neck and walks out of the room.

“He’s…he’s not gushing blood,” I say.“But you bit his neck.”

Xavier turns back to me and takes his time to look me up and down.“Your particular sect of the Order never dealt with vampires much, did they?”

I pull my lips over my teeth, looking at the spice rack behind him.“No.I know why now, but before…” I shrug and shake my head.“I guess it was foolish loyalty not to question them.”

Picking up a towel to wipe the blood from his face, Xavier continues to eye me curiously.“You aren’t an official member yet you followed without question.”

“Yeah, and I feel pretty fucking stupid for it now.”I hold out my hands.“Look where it’s gotten me.”

Xavier takes my right hand in his and runs a finger across my palm.“Do it again.”

“Do what?”

“The spark.”

“Oh,” I say when I realize what he’s talking about.“It’s called summoning energy.”I push my shoulders back and move my hand out of his.The air around my fingers gets warm as the energy rushes around me.A little swirl of blue and yellow light forms above my palm.Xavier leans in, curious.Somewhat apprehensively, he touches the energy ball.It burns his skin and he pulls his hand back, the raw, red welt healing in just seconds.

“And you’ve never really dealt with witches before, have you?”I ask, voice soft.

“It’s best to avoid them.”He cups his large hand under mine and closes my fist.The energy is absorbed within and the light fades.“How did you learn anything about magic?I know how the Order views witches.”

“I spent a few winters with a small coven,” I tell him.“They taught me everything I know.”

“Just a few winters?”