Page 26 of Vampire's Breath

She glanced over her shoulder at me. “Besides, this could be my best chance to discover the truth.”

My heart fell in my chest. I should have cut off contact with her a week ago.

Cormac shifted and touched Rory’s arm, leaning to her ear. “Go to them, starlight. Briar says yes. Her friend says no.”

Rory nodded.

“Cormac.” My growl under my breath was low and threatening, but he looked at me with ease. He knew I wouldn’t do anything to expose our secret.

“I’m sorry. May I join you?” Rory smiled as she walked to the firepit. Amy looked her up and down.

“Sure,” said Briar.

Amy laid her hand on Briar’s arm. “I still don’t think this is a good idea.”

Rory smiled at her. “I completely understand. If someone made this offer to my best friend, I’d say exactly the same thing.”

Amy smiled thinly. “At least you and I agree.”

“I will tell you this, though…” She turned to Briar. “Even though I just met him, Lorcan has a thing for you. He has that same protective streak for you that Cormac has for me. I was pretty sure he would jump over that railing when Cormac and I first walked up.”

Briar smiled. “You couldn’t be more wrong.”

My breath caught in my throat as Cormac stared at me. I was certain he was cataloging my every reaction. I wanted nothing more than to stop this conversation, but how? She would know I was different if I told her I heard every word. Damn him, still playing this game.

Rory gestured with her head. “No, I’m not. Look at him. He hasn’t taken his eyes off you since you walked over here. He’s afraid to walk away, but more afraid you will choose to be a part of his life.”

“How do you know this?” asked Briar.

“Because that is exactly how his brother is. When I first met him, he wanted nothing to do with me but couldn’t let me go either. Lorcan has that same fire in his eyes for you.”

I glanced at Cormac as he grinned at his mate’s words.

“She still isn’t going,” said Amy.

Rory smiled. “What about this? I’m assuming you can’t just up and leave anyway, right, Briar?”

She shook her head.

“Give it a week. Let me spend some time with you. I will be the one you’re with, not them.”

Amy bit her lip, looking at Briar.

“But Lorcan said he’s leaving in a week,” said Briar.

Rory smiled. “Then it is perfect timing. We’ll all spend some time together, and just as Lorcan is leaving, you can come with us to do your research.”

Amy sighed, her eyes glued to Briar’s face. “You’re going to do this, aren’t you?”

Briar’s voice was even lower than before, and she nodded. “Yes. I think this is the perfect compromise.”

Amy pressed her lips together. “But…”

Briar tilted her head at her friend. Her voice softened, weight and determination pouring through her voice, silencing Amy. “How else am I going to get there? How else am I going to find out what they knew? This is my mother’s dying wish, Amy. I have to do it. You heard Cormac, Lady Isobel was involved with their family. If I don’t go now, I may lose the chance.”

“Oh, sugar, you wouldn’t. We’d still help, but why wait until March when you can go now?” Rory turned to Amy. “In fact, let me spend time with both of you. You must be just as comfortable that Briar is well cared for.”

I clenched my jaw. Rory handled the conversation with the ease of a master negotiator. Fuck.