Page 14 of Hunt the Dusk
I had my clothes, and there was a washroom here, so it made sense to go straight from the office.
“Will you be all right getting back to the chapter house?” Edwin asked me.
“I’ll be fine.” I’d already arranged for Ordell to meet me at the stables for nine-thirty.
The team left, and I locked up and headed to the washroom to get ready. It had been so long since I’d been on a date that excitement fizzed in my belly. Dating Kaster couldn’t ‘go’ anywhere. I was ordained, after all, so sex was off the table, which killed hopes of a serious romantic relationship for me. I’d found most guys weren’t into just doing other stuff all the time, and because I couldn’t tell them the truth about why I had the no-sex rule, those relationships fizzled fast. But even if I wasn’t ordained, Kaster was a vampire. Not the kind of love entanglement I imagined myself in.
Still, it was a date. A respite from the crazy before I had to dive back into madness, and I was determined to enjoy it.
Royal House restaurantwas so classy they had someone to open the door for customers. I was led to a plush seating area where a man with a guest book checked for Kaster’s reservation. He flashed me a bleached-white smile then led me through a second door into the restaurant proper where low, intimate lighting and soft music provided the perfect accompaniment to the beautifully dressed tables hosting elegantly garbed patrons.
I spotted Kaster’s dark head straight away, and he wasn’t alone. Atlas was with him. I should have anticipated that. He was, after all, not only Kaster’s vein but his voice.
Kaster’s eyes lit up with a smile when he saw me, and my cheeks warmed beneath his regard.
He stood and pulled out my chair for me to sit.
“You look lovely,” Atlas said. “I’m sure Kaster will tell you the same in a moment.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off the vampire. His ebony hair was brushed back, the silvery thread weaving through it artfully. His charcoal gray shirt stretched across his broad shoulders and hugged his biceps, the deep color making his sable eyes stand out. He managed to look both dressed up and casual at the same time. My stomach fluttered, and I glanced around the restaurant, exhaling softly. “It’s a classy place.”
“It’s Kaster’s favorite,” Atlas said. A look passed between them, and Atlas nodded. “Okay, so here’s the deal. Kaster speaks through me, but he does have the ability to mindspeak with a willing companion.”
“Mindspeak? Like get inside my head?”
“Yes, but he can’t read your mind or anything so intrusive. It’s up to you. I can stay and be his voice, or you can opt for the mindspeak and have a little privacy.”
I needed to get close to Kaster and find out what he knew, if anything, about the cover-up, and having Atlas play voice could hinder that. Besides, if I showed Kaster my trust now, then he might be inclined to trust me down the line.
“I think I’ll opt for the mindspeak.”
Kaster looked surprised by that, but then his smile lit up his handsome face. The flutter in my belly increased.
“All right,” Atlas said. “He’ll need to touch you to establish a connection.”
“And how do we break the connection once we’re done?”
“Another touch,” Atlas said. “Or distance can break the connection.”
“All right.” I offered Kaster my hand. “Shall we?”
He wrapped his cool fingers around mine, and a gentle tingle ran up my arm. His voice filled my mind, warm and heady like a fine bourbon.
You look stunning tonight, Miss Lighthart.
“Please, call me Orina.”
Orina, then.He released my hand and nodded at Atlas.
“Enjoy your meal.” Atlas left, and Kaster turned his attention back to me.
You can speak out loud to me or mindspeak. It’s up to you.
I’d never done anything like this before, but it would be interesting to try. I focused on what I wanted to say.Like this?
Perfect.His lips parted in another smile.I’ve already placed my order, but I’ll summon the waiter so you can place yours when you’re ready.
I studied the menu for long seconds. Everything sounded delicious, but I decided on what sounded like a chicken dish with some fancy sauce.
