Christian leaned over the edge. “You always need a dramatic exit, don’t you? Careful not to fall and crack your skull. I was hoping to prop it on my mantelpiece someday.”
I held onto the branch and swung my legs to a lower one so I could descend the tree. Instead of answering him with a sharp reply, I smiled and treaded across the soft grass. Christian had rare moments when he showed his romantic side, but that wasn’t what I loved about him. It was the fact that he never changed. I could always count on his boorish remarks, veiled threats, and dark humor. We got each other in a way that no one else could. I didn’t want a gentleman; I wanted a loyal man who made me laugh. I wanted an equal who saw me as such. Someone who brought me coffee in the morning and cheered me on during a fight.
When I reached the tree where I’d left my boots, I circled it in search of them.
“Looking for these?” Lenore stepped out of the shadows, holding my boots between two fingers. Her gold gown captured the ambient light from the house like a net, and the pink lilies embroidered on her matching slippers looked like flowers in the grass.
I took the boots and put them on, waiting for the inevitable questions, like what I was doing on her roof and why I was dressed like a tramp.
“Do you like to read?” she asked. “I love reading. Knowledge soothes the soul. There is so much to learn from books. Writers have unfettered imaginations, and they’re often the ones who pen ideas before they’re ever conceived by the rest of the world. Some of them write about our world, you know. Not because they’re a trusted human or have inside knowledge but because deep down, they know we exist. It could be that some of themdoknow about us, but we don’t regulate works of fiction.” She closed her eyes when the wind swept through her beautiful hair. “I was reading a fascinating story about the cosmos until a peculiar sound coming from the fireplace caught my interest.”
“Why do you suddenly need protection?”
She opened her dark eyes and stared at me so intensely that I lowered my gaze. “Anyone in my position of power requires protection.”
“That’s not his job anymore. Hire a bodyguard.”
“It’s my understanding that Christian had no assignment, and I trust him. Darling, this is only temporary until the threat passes. In the meantime, I’m reviewing applications. Trusting a stranger with my life is no easy task. Money doesn’t always buy loyalty. If I had a dollar for every guard who accepted a bribe to give up secrets, sabotage their employer, or even kill the person they were hired to protect, I’d be a rich woman. Well, a richer woman.”
“I need to go.”
Lenore captured my wrist. “Dear, oh dear. It’s not jealousy that brought you here, is it? You’re a strong woman, Raven. Jealousy is a weakness.”
“Why are you always giving me unsolicited advice?”
“Because I recognize potential when I see it. When you reach my age, you let go of pettiness. You’re still young and don’t yet understand how ancients think.” Her grip tightened. “But by sneaking onto my property and distracting my guard, you made me vulnerable. I’m certain it wasn’t your intent, but this will not do. I don’t bite, Raven. If you want to see Christian, you’re more than welcome here anytime. Just knock on the door next time so I can make arrangements for any security risks.”
I pulled my arm out of her grasp.Great.I’m sure Viktor would love nothing more than to find out that Christian put a higher authority member’s life in danger by shirking his duties to have sex on the roof. “That wasn’t my intention. I’m sorry I busted in like this, but I needed to see Christian for work reasons. He was alert the whole time.”
“I’m sure distractions are unwelcome when you’re on a dangerous assignment. Am I right? I only ask the same courtesy.” She looked toward the road. “Did you park nearby?”
“No. It’s a nice night for a stroll.” I inclined my head and walked down the long driveway.
“I can have my driver take you wherever you need to go,” she called out.
“That’s okay,” I said quietly, knowing she could hear me just fine. “God gave me these legs for a reason.”
Chapter 23
When on guard duty, Christian usually stayed outside all night so he could hear everything. Footfalls in the grass, an approaching car, a racing heart, clothes rustling in the breeze—they were all easy to pick up without the obstructive walls inside a house or building. And because he knew how being inside could interfere with Vampire senses, he was certain Lenore hadn’t heard anything—there were enough walls between the basement and the roof.
“Christian, may I see you downstairs in the study?” Lenore asked, her voice distant but loud enough that he knew it must have been carried up through the bathroom pipes.
The pipes.
“For feck’s sake.” He finished drying off his face with a towel. After shutting off the faucet, he headed to the first floor in no great hurry. Christian had no desire to be anyone’s puppy, and yet Lenore still treated him the way she had all those years ago.
Her heartbeat wasn’t within range, but clinking noises drew him to the downstairs bathroom. He knocked.
When she didn’t answer, Christian slid his jaw to the side and turned the knob. The first thing he saw was Lenore in the bathtub. All four corners of the square monstrosity were alight with candles, but none penetrated through the milk she bathed in. Small silver pins held up her hair as Lenore continued pouring a pale green liquid into a brandy glass.
“Absinthe?” she offered.
His eyes skated over to the glass block window beside the tub. They were old-fashioned and probably original to the house.
“At least close the door behind you.”
“As if the draft is bothersome.”
