Dead and Beyond (8 page)

focusing back on me. He was being wary again.

I rolled my eyes. “Come on. You’re not exactly giving away a state secret. If you don’t tell me, I’ll just call Kieran.” I fished out my cell phone and waved it in front of his face.

“You’re right. It’s not a secret I was there.” His eyes sparkled as he recalled the event. I wished I could read his mind to find out what he knew.

“Do you remember Deidre saying something about the spell’s effect being only temporary?” I tried to make my question sound as nonchalant as possible, but I knew he’d understand the implication.

“You mean Kieran having to fear the sun ever again?” I nodded. Devon scowled and shook his head slowly. “Not possible. Our Queen would never break her word. Is that what’s bothering you? Why you called me?”

“It was a hypothetical question. The spell’s still working. I was asking just in case, that’s all. But what makes you so sure your Queen would never betray a vampire?”

“Unlike vampires, we live by a strict code of honor. We don’t lie because our word means everything to us.”

“You also don’t tell the whole truth.”

“Look, whatever’s going on, it has nothing to do with us. I swear.”

I nodded again, almost believing him. “Yeah, like I said. Nothing’s going on.”

“It’s not about Kieran, is it?” Devon said. “It’s about you. You’re worried.”

“What makes you say that?”

My gaze searched his. His face remained expressionless as he shrugged. “You’re horrible at hiding your emotions. I can read you like an open book.”

“You’re crazy.” I snorted.

“It’s so obvious this isn’t about Kieran. I’ve known him for centuries. If he had a problem, he would come banging on our door rather than send his brother’s girlfriend to do the talking for him.”

I dropped down to the ground and tucked my legs beneath me, waiting for him to do the same. He sat on the grass, our legs mere inches away, with only the metal bars between us.

“Want to tell me about it?” Devon whispered.

I smiled and shook my head. “I want to but—”

“Something’s holding you back. Is it your boyfriend?”

I opened my mouth to tell him he was wrong. Aidan couldn’t hold me back even if he wanted to. It was the fact that I actually cared about what Devon thought of me when I shouldn’t. I didn’t want him to think I had become everything he despised. “You were right about before,” I said. “I was a bit lonely and needed to see another human being, even if you’re not really one. And neither am I, as a matter of fact.”

A smile lit up Devon’s face, and for a moment I couldn’t look away from his dark, mysterious gaze and the tiny dimple I had never noticed before.

“Smiling suits you. You should do it more often,” I said.

“I was about to say the same thing about you,” Devon whispered. “You and me sharing the same thoughts. Isn’t that funny?”

“Not really.” The heat rushing to my cheeks scorched my skin. I moistened my lips, wondering what I was doing here. It wasn’t like me at all to flirt with the next best guy when my boyfriend wasn’t around. Then again, you couldn’t exactly call it flirting, more like friendly chitchat with a friend. Albeit a handsome one.

Something washed over me, like a dark shadow, enveloping my vision, my mind.

Amber.

It was the same ghostly voice as before, only this time I knew it was in my head because Devon didn’t seem to hear it. I took a deep breath and curled my lips into a forced smile as my eyes scanned the area as calmly as possible.

Nothing there.

Kiss him.

The demand almost made me choke on my breath. This was one cheeky and probably very horny ghost. I mean, seriously, did it somehow miss the fact that I was dating a very hot vampire? Why would I want to kiss someone else?

A strong breeze ruffled my clothes, pushing me against the bars until the cold metal was pressed against my skin, making me shiver. I tried to pull away but I couldn’t move from the spot.

“Why are you hugging the bars?” Devon asked.

“They’re so pretty. I love them so much.” I smiled through gritted teeth as I tried to pry my body away. Didn’t work.

A kiss.

That eerie voice again. I groaned. I didn’t want to kiss the guy.

“You look like you’re glued to the gate. Do you need any help?” Devon smiled. At least I was being an entertaining hostess in that my visitor had a good time.

“Nah, I’m good.” I pushed one last time, realizing this was one strong apparition. In fact, maybe too strong for me. Ghosts usually hover around until they no longer feel they have unfinished business to tend to. This one probably died without ever kissing a guy. It was a strange request but not too unusual. I might never get it to leave, unless I fulfilled its last wish on earth so it could pass into the light.

“Hey, there’s something on your face.” I waved Devon to inch closer.

“Where?” He rubbed his hand over his forehead and mouth.

I shook my head. “Nope, still there. Come here, let me get it for you.” He leaned forward until his face was mere inches from the metal bars. I squeezed my fingers through. “You can come closer, you know. I won’t bite.” I winked. “Unless you want me to.” I had no idea why I just said that. My mind must’ve switched off for a second. Or maybe the ghost wanted me to.

He frowned slightly but didn’t comment as he leaned in until I could feel his breath on my skin. In one swift motion, my fingers wrapped around his neck and I pulled him against me, surprising him. My mouth moved fast, touching his cheek in a quick and sloppy kiss, then pulled back. My hands released their iron grip and I stopped to listen. The ghostly voice was gone, just like the strange breeze. Finally, I breathed out relieved and was even a bit proud of myself, not least because I had probably just warded off some major haunting attack.

Confusion crossed Devon’s face, joined by suspicion and something else, but I didn’t want to hover around so he could start his interrogation. What could I possibly say? That a ghost made me do it? “I’ve got to go. Aidan will be back soon,” I said, jumping to my feet.

“Sure. You wouldn’t want to keep him waiting,” Devon whispered. I was surprised he didn’t ask what the kiss was all about. Maybe he was too confused and needed time to think. I snorted to myself. Yeah, right! As if guys ever did that. Usually it was, kiss and NEXT.

“Thanks for coming. It really means a lot.”

“So I figured. I might’ve even been able to help if you actually told me what’s wrong. If you wanna talk—” His voice trailed off as his gaze brushed over me, and finally rested on my lips. I ignored the questions in his eyes. It was clear he was still thinking about our kiss.

me, and finally rested on my lips. I ignored the questions in his eyes. It was clear he was still thinking about our kiss.

“Yeah, I know where to find you. I might even take you up on the offer.”

“You gonna be okay?” Concern mirrored in his voice. For a moment, I felt guilty because I had made him come all the way down here and now I was sending him away without telling him why I had needed to see him in the first place. Then again, he had almost guessed my reasons, so maybe I didn’t need to tell him after all.

“I’ll be all right. Don’t worry.” I studied his features—perfect just like Aidan’s, and yet so different. I had always been a sucker for blue eyes, but there was something about Devon’s black gaze that mesmerized me. Something that beckoned to me, challenging me, daring me to look closer. I didn’t want to fall for it, but somehow I couldn’t help myself. My vision blurred slightly, as though I was looking through a window splattered with raindrops. A shiver ran down my spine. A soft whisper in my head urged me to do something. Definitely a ghost again. I groaned inwardly. Seriously, this whole necromancer business was a full-time job.

“Will I see you again?” My voice came low, barely audible in my ears, and yet I knew he had heard me by the way he drew his breath.

“Do you want to?”

I nodded slowly while my brain screamed at me and my heart started to bleed. Against my better judgment I heard myself say, “Yes, I do.”

Devon’s smile made my heart skip a beat. “In that case, I’ll see you tomorrow, same time, same place.”

I thought I heard something like, “It was a nice kiss”, as I walked back to the house in a daze, even floating a bit, my mind devoid of any thoughts. But I didn’t turn. The thought that I didn’t really want to kiss Devon consoled me for all of five seconds. And then the guilt came creeping up on me.

I had no idea what came over me, or even why I let a ghost pressure me to do it. Maybe Aidan’s disappearance bothered me and I needed to take it out on him somehow. It wasn’t right, but I figured Devon wasn’t interested in me anyway, what with me being a bloodsucker and all, and bloodsuckers being their arch enemies. Besides, I would never leave the gates. And, last but not least, I wouldn’t swap Aidan for anyone in the world. He was gorgeous, loving, generous, and perfect. We shared a bond. What else could I ask for?

Aidan wasn’t back when I climbed up the stairs to my bedroom and sat down on the bed, cradling a copy of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park in my lap, ready to lose myself in someone else’s tragedy for a change. When I finally looked up again, darkness had descended upon the Scottish Highlands, and millions of stars dotted the sky. With a sigh, I closed the book and placed it carefully on the bedside table, then went in search of Aidan. Where the hell was he? My heart thumped fast and I began to panic, even though I knew there probably was no need. He was a vampire, big and almost invincible. But only almost.

It was almost midnight when I checked the clock on my nightstand. Aidan still hadn’t returned from his new job and my concern was slowly growing to immeasurable heights. Several times I felt compelled to call Kieran again just to have someone reassure me Aidan was a big guy who knew what he was doing. The trouble with men, however, is that their ego often exceeds their height—or abilities. Whatever Aidan’s job involved, I knew he’d jump in with both feet, probably head first, to get it done. While I liked his enthusiasm when we were alone, I wasn’t so keen on his attitude toward fulfilling his duties, especially not when taking risks was part of the job description.

Rubbing my eyes to get rid of the throbbing sensation inside my head, I tossed the book on the already overcrowded bedside table and decided to search for another activity to kill time. Ever since coming here, I had even developed a bit of a fondness for cleaning, probably because I was mostly bored out of my mind.

Gathering the laundry, I climbed down the staircase to the basement when I realized I had completely forgotten about the kicked-in door. Leaving it hanging off its hinges wasn’t an option because Aidan was bound to find out and ask questions. But I knew nothing about DIY work. I briefly considered calling Kieran to ask for help, then decided against it since I figured he was probably even more clueless than I was.

I tapped my fingers against the doorframe, begging my immortal mind to come up with a brilliant plan, when I felt a sense of urgency a moment before the unnerving sound of someone rattling the gates echoed in my ears. It sounded as though someone was trying to get in, but this time I knew it wasn’t just in my head.

My temper flared. Seriously, not again. I was so sick and tired of the spirit’s mind games.

“Go away,” I hissed.

The sound continued and pictures began to flood my mind. A dark shape hovering outside the gates, his hood covering his face so I couldn’t make out his features. I realized this wasn’t an apparition but a vision, just like the one I had about Angel.

Whoever was out there probably knew Aidan wasn’t home and wanted to take advantage of the situation. Well, that wasn’t happening. Adrenaline began to rush through my veins, making me excited to go out there and defend my home, my territory, and one of my BFFs. Forgetting all about the door, I dashed up the stairs and out the front door with supernatural speed, almost as fast as the other vampires traveled, and reached the gates in less than two seconds. My lips curled into a snarl, my fangs lengthened, ready to defend the house by shredding the intruder into smithereens.

The telltale scent of a Shadow hit my nostrils. They all smelled similar, a bit of fire and dry earth washed away by an angry summer storm, tough different in nuances. I had met my fair share of them, but I couldn’t remember this guy. His body was hidden beneath a black cape, his face obscured by a hood, but I didn’t fail to register his broad shoulders and strong hands clasping the bars. Red, sore wounds, like deep blisters, had formed where he touched the magic infused metal. It looked painful, but he didn’t seem to mind.

“Piss off, mate, or I swear I’ll kill you,” I hissed. My voice sounded resolute, menacing. Inside, however, I prayed I wouldn’t have to carry out my threat because I figured, vampire or not, I was more civilized than that. Killing was Aidan and Blake’s thing. Kieran and I preferred to step back and sort out our differences at the local pub, musing over a pint, rather than kick someone’s face in.

“My name’s Brendan. I’m sorry to bother you. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t need your help.” He had an air of regency about him, as though he wasn’t just any Shadow, but it was the guy’s voice that surprised me. Not only was he extremely polite for a Shadow, he also sounded much younger than I anticipated. Maybe twenty or twenty-five. But since they all seemed so young, I figured he might as well be two hundred plus.

“My help?” I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, heard that one before. Didn’t turn out so well for me.”

“Please, just listen,” he said, throwing his hood back to reveal his face. I stared at his youthful features and the black eyes that were so common among Shadows, trying to remember whether I had seen him before. His face was smooth as marble with perfect skin a tad darker than Devon’s, but prominent cheekbones and a strong jaw. For a moment, the usual Shadow pride shined in his eyes, giving way to worry and fear. I couldn’t remember having ever met him, but something must’ve happened, or why else would he be here? I cleared my throat.

“Did Devon send you?”