Page 26 of Blood Bought

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to tell him a damned thing,” he assured me. “I don’t have a death wish any more than you do, so as long as you don’t try to run out on me, we’re good. Okay? Just do your job and I’ll keep doing mine, which is to keep you safe.”

“Ah, my own personal vampire bodyguard. How very romcom of you,” I deadpanned, trying to lighten the mood – but Malik didn’t seem to find that very funny. “Right,” I sighed. “You left your sense of humor in the Faint Wood. Guess it’s right back to misery.”

He stepped forward, close enough that his giant, lumbering friend couldn’t overhear us. “You’re not wrong, Adalind. This isn’t a joke, and I’ve never seen him so angry. You’re making light of this situation and –”

It was his turn to trail off. I drained the rest of the drink and set the glass down on the bench outside the door where someone would find it, then crossed my arms over my chest. “And you’re telling me that the girl I just picked up might really, honestly die, and it’ll be all my fault because not only am I the one dragging her into this, but I’m also the one who had the audacity to ask a simple question to a guy who’s chronically allergic to straight answers?”

“Yes, you sarcastic little animal. And I’m not telling you this to scare you, I’m telling you this because I don’t want to see anyone else die for no reason. Apologize to him the moment you take Sloane to him, then quietly see yourself out before he breaks another plate that’s older than your great-great-grandfather.”

“Right,” I said, deflating slightly. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s always been a terrible coping mechanism and now it’s a dangerous one, too. I’ll figure it out, okay?”

He nodded just as Sloane finally joined us, but Alaris wouldn’t let me near him when I delivered Sloane. I had no chance to give an apology, no way of trying to help her without taking off the bracelet I’d just put back on to save myself and opening a floodgate I wouldn’t be able to close again.

No, this time, whatever happened was on me, and I was just going to have to live with it.

Chapter Twelve:

All night, I heardher screaming and moaning and shaking the fucking walls. I wasn’t sure how since I was two floors below His Majesty’s room, but I had a feeling he was somehow amplifying the sound to make me suffer... or maybe to let me know she was still alive and thoroughly enjoying herself. I glared at the vibrator he’d given me with one eye closed, deciding tonight wasn’t the night and that I wanted my next orgasm to be something that wasn’t showered and bathed in the guilt of multiple lives – but I couldn’t sleep, not with all the noise.

I tried counting sheep, taking a walk, sweet-talking the overnight chef to give me something to knock me out. I tried partying with a few of the Fauxs who were crashing on the main level while passing through, but every time I told one of them my name, they hissed at me like I’d burned them and ran away so fast they practically vanished.

By morning, none of the humans were talking to me either, and I’d never felt so alone.

Guess this is what I get.I toyed with the bracelet around my wrist as I pushed my breakfast away, plate full, and looked around for Alaris. He was the only one who could end this, but he was nowhere to be found, so I tugged that bracelet off against my better judgment and called out to him.

“Alaris, you’re late to breakfast.”

“I already ate, Miss Sour. Thanks for giving a shit.”

I chewed my lip nervously and spun my glass of juice.“Okay. Sorry I bothered you.”I stood up quickly and left my plates there before ducking outside to get some fresh air, but I didn’t have my coat and it was colder than hell. Huge snowflakes were falling in never-ending waves so thick that they obscured the Faint Wood — obscured everything but the stones in front of my feet, and I nearly screamed when a thick blanket was suddenly being wrapped around me.

“Why the hell are you out here in the cold without a jacket?”

“Didn’t realize it was snowing so hard,” I admitted, glancing up to meet Alaris’ eyes. “I just needed some air. Seems like I’m back to being an outsider around here, so it’s just a little stuffy in there right now.”

“With the humans?” He looked confused. “I thought you made friends. What are they doing?”

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