Page 54 of Marked
I nod. “They’re beautiful,” I say. “The colors and textures ... Landscapes like this don’t exist anymore.”
She smiles, but the motion is sad. “They do, baby. Just not here.”
“Have you seen the home country, then?”
Her expression is wistful. “Markus planned on taking me before the Council shunned him for claiming me as his Consort. He is no longer welcome on the Isle of Skye, and by extension, neither are any of the rest of us.”
I frown. “That’s stupid.”
“You’re sweet, but that’s how the supernatural world works. We are governed by a larger force, just as humans are. It’s why they are working so hard to find Vlad. What he is doing ... It can’t be allowed to continue.”
I peer at her. “How bad is it?” She presses her lips into a tight line. “Raina? How bad?”
Her sigh is weighted. Heavy. “We buried ten of our own last month, and twice that in civilians.” My eyes widen. So many? “The drug Vlad is using ... It’s deadly to our kind. And dangerous to humans. He has to be stopped, Lilah. At all costs.”
My hand flies out and I catch her arm. “I want to help. How can I help?”
She stops in front of a heavy-iron and oak door. “Anything you know about it ... Be honest with Ruin. He has been after Vlad since the beginning. If anyone can catch him, it’s him.” She offers me a soft smile. “Now, speaking of dark-eyed vamps, what happened with him?”
My face flames. “How did you—”
“Oh honey. I know amorning afterwalk if I’ve ever seen one.” She pats my hand. “Besides, his scent is all over you.”
I groan. “Not as much as I hoped for,” I say honestly.
She chuckles. “So youdolike him?”
My eyes narrow and I glare at her. “Raina.”
“He’s a hot one, even I will admit that. Just don’t tell Markus I said so.” My lips curve. “Considering how ornery Ruin has been, he wants you bad, Lilah.”
“I don’t know. Every time I think so, he pulls away.”
“Trust me. I know Ruin. He’s been Markus’ Second for years. The man is hard headed. Stubborn. Whatever is holding him back, it will keep him away. You need to find out what it is and break past it.”
I look at her as we reach a door near the end of the hall. “How do I do that?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. But you’ll figure it out. You’re under his skin already. You just have to get under him in bed.” I blush furiously, and she brushes my hair back behind my ear with another grin. “You ready for tomorrow?”
My head bobs.
“Good. I want you there early, so you’ll ride with me.”
Ruin’s words about being under his protection spring back to me. “Are you sure?”
Her smile is brilliant. “Course.” She turns me to the door and pats me on the rear. I gasp and let out a girly giggle. “Now... This room will keep you from being interrupted by even the staff. And the closet should have something a bit more comfortable to wear to sleep in. So turn in, babe. We got work tomorrow.” She winks and walks back the way we came.
Shaking my head, I go inside the room with another laugh.
Heavy looking masculine furniture takes up the immediate sitting area. Thick, dark wood and black leather spread over a short sofa and loveseat. A well-worn recliner is perched to one side, bookcase laden with westerns and a few older crime novels. Oddly, I cannot picture Markus reading any of them.
I pad through the room and push open the sliding door to a massive four-poster bed covered in black silk sheets and a midnight bedspread. Spicy scented candles burn along the top of the dresser, adding just enough light to see. Fluffy pillows seem to beckon from the nest of black over the bed, but I slip past them to the bathroom just visible. And hopefully a closet.
The shower is almost as big as the bed and enclosed in all glass. The rainforest head juts over the stall, catching light from antique style sconces on the walls. My fingers trail over the marble counters. A single toothbrush already rests in the dish and soaps line the shower.
I huff. “These guys live like royalty,” I murmur, eyes wide and tracking over everything.
Walking into the closet to one side, I flip on the light. A few hangers wait, simple button-ups and a few pairs of older boots are the only thing inside the dove-grey room.
