Page 86 of Vampire's Breath

I smiled, a warmth at the memory of my conversation with Isobel gripping my heart. “She grew up with the stories you always thought were myths. People took them as fact in those days because they explained the inexplicable. She suspected, but knew it was true when Ashdowne claimed a stag had killed Harrowmont. Even during a hunt, that’s a rare occurrence—and Isobel knew it was Ashdowne.” I bit my lip, the confession causing bubbles in my stomach. “And all of it was my fault. I knew he was dangerous, and he wanted her. I planned to send him away, but didn’t act fast enough. I should have stopped him. I’m so sorry, Briar, for everything I did to your family.”

“How could you have known the outcome?” she asked.

“What matters is that I created him. My sireling caused it all, and I should have been able to stop him.”

She shook her head, her arms wrapping around herself tightly. “Maybe so. Maybe you should have stopped him. But you didn’t.” Her gaze swept the room, landing on each of us. “Howmany families like mine have you destroyed? How many people have died?”

The questions landed like blows, forcing the air from my lungs. The truth was, I’d stopped counting centuries ago. “Briar, I didn’t—”

She cut me off, her voice sharp and trembling. “Lorcan, you never wanted me here. Don’t pretend you did.”

I nodded, unable to deny it.

She took a breath. “I’ve done what I set out to do. And now it’s time for me to go.”

I stepped toward her. “But—”

“Lorcan.” Cormac placed a firm hand on my shoulder. “Let her go.”

I glared at my brother. How could he suggest that when he had his mate at his side?

He turned to Rory and Isla. “Stay with her, please.”

Briar’s eyes narrowed. “What?”

Cormac looked at her and dropped his voice. “We’ll all stay here. But two vampires are out there—both ready to take revenge on this family. You need protection, and they can provide that for you.”

For a moment, I thought Briar would refuse out of spite. Her shoulders stiffened as she glanced between Rory and Isla before she took a deep breath. “Only for tonight. And then I return to Byron Bay tomorrow. And I never want to see you again, Lorcan.”

Briar turned and walked out the door, Rory and Isla stepping behind her.

I stood there, unable to move, wondering if I would ever see her again. Her scent lingered in the air, the last part of her I could grasp as her footsteps faded.

Briar

Idrew in a breath as I walked up the stairs. When my foot touched the top step, I heard a creak behind me. I whirled around to see Rory and a woman I didn’t know following me.

I shook my head. “You don’t need to stay with me. I’ll be fine.” Even to me, my voice sounded defeated.

The red-headed woman laughed. “About as fine as I was when Runa held me captive.”

My stomach jolted at the ease with which she said it, like being kidnapped by a vampire was just a bad first date.

Rory swatted at her. “She really doesn’t need to know that story, Isla.”

Isla shrugged. “I think she does. She seems headstrong enough that she’d go without us.”

I turned my back on the bickering women, opening the door to the solarium. The fire had died down, and the embers danced in the grate with a joy I didn’t share. I looked around, unsure of which way to go.

Rory came up beside me. “If you’re intent on leaving,” she said, “then the easiest way back to the beach is through that door. But I’d rather call you a cab and have them pick you up out front.”

My fingers twisted into the fabric of my shirt. I only needed to hold it together for a few more minutes. But I would have been lying to myself if I said I wasn’t a little relieved to have Rory by my side, even though it felt different now. “You let me believe…” I swallowed and pulled in a deep breath. Did it matter now? I turned to my friend. “Why did Cormac tell you to protect me?”

“Can we sit down?” Rory offered. “You can finish what I assume is your drink?” She pointed at the glass I had left on the coffee table. I raised an eyebrow at her in a silent question, and she shrugged. “Aiden would never leave a partial drink. He’d be afraid someone would poison it with something.”

“He’s a bit paranoid.” Isla nodded. “What can I get you, Rory?”

“Just sparkling water.”

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