A Hunger Like No Other (Immortals After Dark #2)(51)
Author: Kresley Cole

"Look, Cassandra, I don’t want to fight with you. And, yes, I do want to leave, but it would take a life-or-death situation for me to trust you with my escape."

"I would vow no’ to double-cross you." She glanced down, then back. They both heard someone approaching. "You canna win here, vampire. You’ll never be queen of our clan."

"Apparently I already am."

"A true queen would be able to walk in the sun with her king." Cassandra’s smile was too pleasant. "And give him heirs."

Emma didn’t come close to stifling a wince.

23

Cassandra passing time with the vampire boded ill.

Bowe vaulted to the roof to move between them, staring Cassandra down with a menacing expression. "What are you speaking about?"

Cassandra said airily, "Girl stuff."

That made Emmaline’s face pale.

"I’ve discussed this with you once already. You must accept what’s happened." Bowe wasn’t known among the clan for his subtlety, and certainly not for taking the time to explain things twice. If Cassandra had hurt the situation between Lachlain and Emma, Bowe would do his best to rectify it. He crossed to just inches in front of her. "Go away, Cass. I’ll speak to her alone."

She put her shoulders back. "No, I doona – "

He made his eyes turn as he growled low. He would do whatever was in his power to prevent his oldest friend from becoming like him, including hurling Cass from the roof. "Leave us."

"I was through here anyway," she said evenly, though she was backing swiftly away. "I’ll just go visit with Lachlain while you two chat."

Bowe was relieved to see that the vampire didn’t like that idea at all, her brows drawn together, her eyes flickering. He thought he’d never been so gladdened to see a woman’s distress. Though he willed her to protest, Emmaline said nothing.

Before she dropped down, Cassandra called over her shoulder, "Remember my offer, vampire."

When they were alone, Bowe asked, "And what did she offer?"

"It doesn’t concern you."

He gave her a threatening look as well.

But she just shrugged. "That has no effect on me. I know you can’t hurt me or Lachlain would kick your ass six ways to Sunday. ‘Kay?"

"You speak strangely."

"If I had a dollar…" she said with a sigh.

Why had Lachlain made this creature sound retiring when he’d described her? "So if you will no’ tell me whatever malicious seed Cassandra has planted, then do me the courtesy of walking with me awhile."

"No, thanks. I’m busy."

"Busy pacing a folly roof on a foggy night, ranting to yourself?"

"You’ve a keen gift for observation," she said, turning from him.

"Speaking of gifts – one arrived for you during the day."

She froze, turned slowly, and tilted her head at him. "A present?"

He barely concealed his surprise. Damn if the Valkyrie weren’t as acquisitive as the Lore said.

"If you take a turn with me and listen, I’ll show it to you."

She nibbled her red bottom lip, fang showing, reminding him that she was still a vampire. The only other times he’d spoken with a vampire had been when he was torturing one.

"Okay. Five minutes. But only so I can see the gift."

He reached out to help her down, but in one of the strangest movements he’d ever seen, she stepped from the roof, her next footfall as regular as if her last hadn’t been fifteen feet above, but fifteen inches.

He stared, shook himself, then followed. As he started toward the stables, he began, "I ken you’re angry with Lachlain. Is it more for lying to you, or because you found out what you are?"

"Not what I am, but what you people seem to think I am. As for my anger, split it down the middle – call it a day."

"He lied for a reason. He is no’ a dishonest man, in fact is known as the opposite, but he’ll go to new lengths to keep you with him. And you are his mate."

"Mate, schmate. I’m tired of hearing that!"

"I’ve warned Lachlain no’ to be stubborn or stupid, and it sounds like I’ll have to warn you as well."

Her eyes fired silver with anger. Undaunted, he took her elbow and steered her into the stables. "Let’s cut through the details and get to the meat. He’s no’ letting you go. Your family is going to want you back. There will be conflict. Unless you can convince them no’ to fight."

"You don’t get it!" she snapped. "I won’t have this problem because I don’t want him!" She flung herself free. "And the next Lykae that grabs my elbow to steer loses a paw."

She strode ahead of him down the lengthy run of stalls. Without any indication from him, she stopped and did a double take at the mare that had arrived this morning, then crossed over to gently run her hands down her muzzle. Strange that Emmaline would gravitate to the one that was hers alone. Damn grasping Valkyrie.

Her gaze flickered over the horse and she murmured, "Hey, gorgeous," and "Aren’t you a sweetie?" She looked as if she was in love.

Irrationally feeling as though he was interrupting, Bowe continued, "I thought vampires had an innate ability to cut through bullshite. He’s no’ letting you go. He’s a wealthy, attractive male, a king, who would spoil and protect you for the rest of your life. All you have to do is accept it."

"Look, Bowen, I’m in no way a realist." She’d leaned back against the stall gate with a knee drawn up, as if she’d been here a thousand times. Her arm curled under the mare’s neck to pet the side of her face. "I can pretend with the best of them. I can pretend Lachlain’s dishonesty didn’t hurt. I can pretend I like it better here than I do in my own home and my own country, and I can even ignore the fact that his age is a multiple of mine. But I can’t pretend that his entire clan won’t hate me or that Lykae won’t keep attacking me. And I can’t pretend that my family will accept him, because they never will, and I would be forced to choose anyway."

As she’d spoken, her expression had slowly ebbed from furious to stark. She wasn’t telling him half of it. Her eyes were haunted. Lachlain’s mate was spooked. Badly.

Just as Mariah had looked.

"What else is happening? Something else is upsetting you."

"It’s just…everything’s…overwhelming." She whispered the last.

"What is?"

She shook her head and her face turned hard. "I’m a private person and I don’t even know you. Not to mention that you’re Lachlain’s best friend. I’m not telling you anything."

"You can trust me. I will no’ tell him anything you doona want me to."