‘Whenever you’re ready,’ he says. I can feel he’s telling the truth. Huh. That’s different from the books I’ve read, human men seeming to need time?—
‘Oooh.’ Kyle is moving against me, his hands exploring, and I find I don’t want to think about books anymore. Behind him, stars streak the sky, silver and black. Then he thrusts into me again, and time disappears.
* * *
I must have fallen asleep afterwards because next thing I know Kyle’s carrying me down the stairs, the blanket wrapped around me. There’s the click of the lever, then the creak of the bookcase opening. He pauses.
‘What is it?’ I murmur.
‘Well, Emelia—’ I can hear the smile in his voice ‘—you’re naked, I’m half dressed, and we’ve just come down from the roof together. Just making sure no one else is in the library.’
‘Hmmm, I think they might notice the bookcase moving, somehow.’ I’m too tired to care, though.
‘Looks as though the coast is clear.’ He steps into the library, depositing me on the sofa. My clothes are tangled in the blanket and I retrieve them, putting them on and wrapping the blanket around me again. The fire in the fireplace has burned low, candles guttering in their sconces. Kyle closes the bookcase, shrugging on his shirt and jacket.
‘Come on, sleepyhead.’ He grins. ‘Let’s get you back to your room before someone comes looking for you.’
I stand up slowly, clutching the blanket. I want him to carry me again, but that will mean far too many questions if anyone sees us. So I follow him along the corridors to my room, my feet dragging with tiredness. My heart is light, though, joy all through me. I feel different, on every level, as though what happened on the roof is a line drawn between the Emelia I was and the Emelia I am now. When we reach my room I turn to him. ‘Will you come in, to check?’
He smiles, his head close to mine. ‘Let me see you safe.’ The words are innocent enough, but his eyes are molten silver. My heart leaps.
‘Thank you,’ I say, innocent words again but my hands touch him, staking their claim. He follows me into my room, closing the door. Then we’re in each other’s arms.
‘I have to go,’ he says, eventually, lifting his head. ‘It must be close to sunrise.’
‘Don’t you know?’ Vampires usually have a sense for it.
He grins. ‘I’m not so good at it, especially when I’m distracted. And you are very distracting.’ He leans in for a kiss, long and sweet. Then he gets up, running a hand through his hair. I straighten the collar on his jacket, brushing some dust from the sleeve. I don’t want to stop touching him, or for him to leave.
‘Until tomorrow,’ he says, his hand on my cheek. ‘Be ready, just after sundown.’
‘Until then,’ I say, slightly breathless. He kisses me, one last time.
‘Go.’ I push him, and he’s gone.
ChapterFifteen
SECRETS AND LIES
Irush to get dressed as soon as I wake, the deep blue silk of my shirt sliding against my skin as though my nerve endings are sensitised. My breath catches at the thought of Kyle, of his hands on me, his mouth. Of what we did on the roof. What I want to do again. I pull on black skinny jeans, looping several silver chains around my neck, though I leave my Raven necklace behind. I know I’m about to witness something awful as well as, potentially, meet the people who tried to kill my father. I hope, at least, to gain some understanding of what’s really going on out there. And part of me, despite everything, is excited. If we succeed tonight, it means my plan to leave might actually work. I grab my navy leather jacket, making sure I have the vial of anti-feed.
When I leave my room Kyle is there, with another guard.
‘I’m going outside,’ I say. ‘Just on the estate. Kyle, will you take me?’ I say this as though of course it will be allowed. Besides, my mother isn’t here to stop us.
‘Of course, my lady,’ he says, bowing slightly.
He and the other guard flank me as we head down the curving golden stairs towards the front door. I hold my breath as it opens, hoping Bertrand won’t be there. But our luck holds and a moment later we step into the cool dark, the other guard watching from the double doors. Stars burn overhead. Kyle adjusts his jacket collar, then turns to me. I’m buzzing with nerves.
‘Ready?’
I squeal as he scoops me up in his arms. He starts to run, the night turning to flickers of silver and black. I turn my face into his neck, breathing in his scent, the world fading away so all that’s left is him. All too soon we come to a stop, Kyle putting me down. We’re outside one of the guardhouses stationed at each entrance to the estate. It’s one of the smaller gates, the house a faint dark square in the distance. I think it’s where deliveries come in.
‘What are we doing?’
My question is lost as Kyle pulls me to him, kissing me.
Mmmm.
