When he looked over his shoulder at me and flashed his green eyes, a smile line carved into his cheek. “I’ll collect interest later.”
I went back upstairs and tucked the snacks in my bag. Curious what Christian was up to, I snuck over to his room and peered inside. Only one candle was burning, and I noticed a small bag by the bed. Smaller than mine.
When I turned around, I must have jumped a foot in the air as Christian was standing not an inch away.
I smacked him on the chest. “Holy crap! You nearly gave me a heart attack.”
“Now that I’d like to see. The first Mage to ever die of a coronary.”
“Do you know CPR?”
He cocked his head to the side. “If you ever see a Vampire administering chest compressions to revive a corpse, be sure to take a picture. Aside from crushing a person’s ribs in the process, Vampires are famous for stopping hearts, not making them start again.”
I leaned into his warm body. “You started mine.”
A crooked grin touched his lips, and he wrapped his arms around me. “Aye, lass. I did. Before me, it was just a cold dead thing taking up space in your chest.”
I kissed his neck. “Is that a purse or a travel bag?”
“Vampires know how to pack light.”
Christian definitely wouldn’t need all the “just in case” clothing items since he was impervious to cold and heat. He didn’t even need weapons since his hands and fangs were weapons enough.
“I hope you at least brought a change of underwear.”
He stepped back and stared daggers at the door. “Your wolf is here.”
“Switch?”
Christian folded his arms. “Could you turn down the excitement a notch?”
I gazed up at him earnestly. “Thanks for having my back earlier.”
His eyes lowered to my ruby necklace. “Don’t make me regret it.”
I could have hashed out all the reasons why he didn’t have to worry about Switch, but I didn’t need to. Christian’s support had given me all the affirmation I needed.
With lightning speed, I flashed down the long hall. The wide staircase curved to the first floor, the stone steps porous and easy to tread over. I jogged to the dining room and spotted Switch through an archway that divided the two rooms.
I strode into the gathering room and steadied my heavy breathing. No sense in showing that I’d raced all the way down to greet him like an excited puppy. “What are you doing here?” I asked.
Switch turned to face me. His long brown hair hung past his shoulders, but I guessed he’d wanted to neaten it up for his meeting with Viktor because it was tied at the nape.
Switch’s wolfish eyes met mine. His dark brows slanted down, no smile greeting me this time. “Raven.” He inclined his head, speaking to me as if we hadn’t grown up together.
“You have an impeccable record,” Viktor said, ignoring my presence. “Before summoning you here, I called the Packmasters in your territory. They speak highly of your work with children.”
The wood in the fireplace snapped as the glow intensified in the otherwise dark room. Both men stood before the massive hearth, Viktor with his hands clasped behind his back. I lingered by the entryway and quietly listened.
“Then you heard the full story,” Switch said flatly. “You know why I haven’t joined a pack.”
Viktor gazed up at the high ceiling. “Not every man can hold his head high when his good name is dragged through the mud. You could have fled to another state, but you continued working here. That is admirable.”
Switch hooked his thumbs in his jean pockets. “I love my job, and I’m not the kind of man who runs off with his tail between his legs. I regret how I handled things, but I’m not ashamed of what I did. In the end, that kid is living a better life because of me. Who’s to say if the Packmaster would have believed me? Kids don’t confide in just anyone. He hadn’t even told his parents.”
Viktor glanced at his watch. “I am satisfied with that answer. As I said before, this is only a trial period.”
“When can I get back to you?”
