Page 12 of Venomous Lies
We sat in silence, the weight of his gaze trained on me even though mine remained on the dining hall, watching blurs of color enter and exit as dinner time approached. The hum of chattering students and the breeze rattling the stubborn leaves that still hung on the trees were the only noises between us.
“Is there something wrong, Bricriu? Some kind of offense that I have committed to make you avoid me so thoroughly this past week.”
“I’ve been busy,” I repeated, keeping my voice bland.
“I don’t buy that petty excuse,” he repliedtoosoftly.
“Well—” I started.
“We have anagreement,” he cut in, his voice hard as steel.
“You recently?—”
“I’m still talking.” The ice in his voice made me snap mymouth shut. “We have a deal, and I expect you to uphold your side of the bargain. If not, I’ll find someone else, but avoiding me like a child will not be tolerated.”
“Feed on me then,” I growled, inexplicable anger making me lash out. “Or would feeding on me out in the open make you lose some of your control?”
There was a beat of heavy silence as he considered me.
“I’ll overlook your tantrum just this once. One day, I’ll do just what you asked, and it will be burned into your very soul. For now, our usual room will work just fine. Tonight.”
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay calm. “I can’t tonight.”
“Give me one good reason,one, and I’ll consider it.”
“I need to tell my mate about my being your blood source before we continue.”
I didn’t hear him breathe after that. Hell, I couldn’t even detect the slow beating of his heart, though maybe that had more to do with the increasing rate of mine. The anxiety buzzing through my veins was making me feel lightheaded.
“Mate?” His voice sounded so calm that the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
“Yes.”
I finally glanced over in his direction, finding myself surprised by how close he had come to me. I could clearly see the shock in his dark brown eyes and the paleness of his skin. The scar across his face stood out starkly, and his pinched expression made me realize just how much he did need to feed.
“Who?” he growled.
My mouth opened and closed soundlessly. As I tried to find the words to explain, understanding flickered across Julian’s face. He leaned back, effectively cutting me off from being able to read him.
“It’s Isla Hallowes, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” I rasped, roughly clearing my throat. A hint of cold amusement came from the blurry vampire beside me. Part of me wondered how he’d guessed Isla, but I knew he wouldn’t explain.
“Bring her with you. Tonight.”
“What—?”
“That wasn’t a request, Bricriu.”
The crunch of leaves signaled his exit. I was left alone with my mind in even more of a tangle than before.
Apparently, I was talking to Isla tonight whether I was ready or not because I knew what would happen if I didn’t listen to Julian. Since the beginning of our arrangement, I’d only ever disobeyed his directions once, and that one time was enough.
Chapter 4
Isla
MONDAY
