Page 39 of Twisted
“Time for the second location,” the photographer says, yet neither Xavier nor I move.I’m still standing there, wrapped in his embrace.Then it hits me: I’m wrapped inhis embrace.
The man—no, vampire—who has been trading not attacking the order for women.Women who he holds spellbound so they think they want to contribute to adding to the messed up Malus family.
“We’re good with this,” Xavier says, eyes locked on mine.There’s something so utterly human about the way he’s looking at me, and I wish so badly right now I could get a read on his emotions.Because I have no idea if he’s feeling the same way.
“Oh, okay.”The photographer looks taken aback but has enough sense not to push it with Xavier.Still feeling a little breathless, I reach up and touch my lips, remembering how smooth and cool Xavier’s own lips felt against mine.The memory makes a tingle go through me and I know, without a doubt, that if he kisses me again, I won’t be able to resist him.
“Thank you,” I say when we’re back to the car and he holds my hand as I get in the passenger seat.He’s sitting next to me in just seconds, and it doesn’t take long to get to the next venue.We park along the street and I get a weird feeling forming in my stomach.There’s an energy shift and I perk up, sensing something familiar.Xavier gets out and zooms around, opening the car door for me.
“I don’t…I don’t think we should go in,” I say slowly, not sure why that feeling is coming over me.“We should go home.”
“We?”Xavier questions and takes my hand.“We have several important politicians, both human and vampire alike, waiting on us.”He looks down at me, face surprisingly patient and kind instead of annoyed.“I know you’re eager to consummate this relationship, but I assure you, waiting will make you want me more.”
I willingly move with him, letting him guide me down from the car as I drop all my shields to try and get a better reading on whatever is nearby.It’s hard sometimes to distinguish between a gut feeling and anxiety.I understand the biology behind the nervous system doing whatever it can to protect you from danger.But thisget-the-hell-out-of-herefeeling is coming from something deeper…and now is coming with the feeling of being watched.
CHAPTER16
“Xavier,” I say when he starts to walk forward again.“Wait.Something isn’t right.”
He moves closer to me, putting both hands on my shoulders.All night, he has walked on the street-side of the sidewalk, something chivalrous in a mundane way that didn’t go unnoticed.And right now, he’s being just as protective, looking around for the danger he can step in front of.
“What are you sensing, Wren?”
I turn my head, moving in the direction of the energy.Then I see them, and my heart skips a beat.
“Hunters,” I whisper.
“Hunters?”he echoes, slowly drawing his fangs.My god, he looks terrifying.There’s a calmness to him that is almost unsettling.His ability to control himself and not crash out the way the public thinks all vampires do makes him all the more dangerous.And there is something so horrifyingly beautiful in the way he’s looking at me.“Ones you know?”
“I’ve come across them a time or two.”
“And?”He steps in closer, fangs flashing in the overhead light from the buildings around us.
“Let’s just say not all hunters were happy when the higher ups in the Order said to leave vampires alone.And those guys…” I raise my eyebrows.“Those guys are hateful assholes.They’re racist on a normal level and then again on a supernatural level.Werewolves and witches are on the same level as vampires and demons.”
“Ouch,” Xavier says, seeming unfazed.He’s used to being the Big Bad Wolf, the scariest thing in the room.And he is.
But the rest of the vampires inside this building…they’re sitting ducks if these hunters are planning something.
“I’m being serious,” I chide.“Hunters like that have always hated me and waited their whole life for me to mess up, to put one toe out of line so they would be cleared to kill me.”
Xavier’s eyes narrow and he bristles.“Have they ever hurt you?”
“They never had the chance.I lived and died by the book.”
“You walked on eggshells.”
“Yeah, I guess.”I shrug.“What other choice did I have?Besides, I’m not a bad person.Witches don’t get their powers from selling their soul.We’re literally born this way, and according to Lady Gaga, God makes no mistakes.”
Xavier runs his hands down my arms.“I’m not quite sure I’m following here.There are hunters across the street who don’t like you.”
“Right.”
“And we shouldn’t go inside because?”
“They’re planning something.”
“How do you know?”
