“Who’s going and what time will you be back?”
“We shouldn’t be long, we’re flying in and out, back by midnight or a bit after, all going well.”
Which, I noted, only answered one part of the question. “Is Karson staying?”
“No, he’s coming.” His response was blunt but the awkward look on his face left me questioning who was staying behind. I knew there was no way he wouldn’t leave someone here.
I cocked my head to the side. “So, just Dahlia and I are staying, then?”
He twisted his face, uncomfortable with what I knew he was about to say. “Not exactly, she’s coming with us.” He patted my knee and stood up.
I knew what that meant, I climbed off the bed, I shook my head. “No way is Monique staying here with me, Ethan!”
I followed him out the door.
“Karson,” I yelled out, louder than necessary. I locked eyes with him at the top of the stairs. “No way.”
“I’m not exactly thrilled either, Amy,” Monique said bitterly, emerging from the kitchen with a glass of red in her hand. “As if I want to stay behind and babysit you!”
“I don’t need a babysitter, I can take care of myself,” I said with a large degree of indignation.
“Clearly, Amelia, you cannot take care of yourself. Only a few hours ago you were sporting broken ribs and a bruised face.” Karson’s arrogant, elitist air primed my temper as surely as the winds that were pitted against the ocean caused it to swirl and rise, and slam into anything in its path.
My whole body tightened. I stepped down off the stairs.
“You think I can’t take care of myself? You think you’re the only species capable of self-defence? Come at me then, see how you go.” I squared up to him.
He eyed me with faint amusement.
“Okay, Amy, that’s enough. I don’t want any more broken windows, or glasses, or lights, or ribs.” Ethan threw his arm around my shoulders.
“Don’t patronize me, Ethan.” I shrugged his arm off. “Karson thinks I can’t take care of myself, I’m happy to show him otherwise.”
“That won’t be necessary, Amelia, Monique is staying, and I will not hear another word about it.”
“I can give you plenty of words, none of which you’ll find appealing.”
“I’m happy to add a few in too,” Monique quipped, perching herself gracefully on the arm of the chair, taking a sip of red wine and throwing Karson an ice-cold stare.
“Yes, but whilst I’m sure all your words would be intellectually stimulating, ladies,” Karson responded, setting his empty glass on coffee table. “Perhaps our time would be better served removing any future life-ending threats.” He looked directly at me with the kind of look designed to make me want to slap his arrogant, condescending face. Again. He turned to Michael.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes, I do love a good hunt, and with a gorgeous witch to boot, it should be interesting.” He leapt in one fluid movement to his feet.
“Just stay out of my way, vampire,” Dahlia said, as she strode toward the door. “I wouldn’t want a knife to ‘accidentally’ land in your back.”
“I will do my best.” He responded with a wry grin. “But I trust your skills are sufficient, Dahlia, that you will be able to distinguish friend from foe.”
“Like I said, you better stay out of my way.” I wasn’t wholly convinced she was joking. She pulled a knife from her belt and stopped in front of me. “Take this, and don’t hesitate to use it if you have to,” she said, looking pointedly at Monique.
“Dahlia,” Monique responded, leaning back against the chair and taking another sip of wine. “I’m not sure what’s moreamusing, you trying to play in the big league or that you grossly underestimate my abilities if you think a kitchen knife could stop me.”
“That’s enough, Monique,” Karson responded smoothly. “You will remember your role.”
Monique sat back, crossed her legs, and waved her hand dismissively. “Yes, yes, protect the pet.”
My fingers tightened around the knife. If I threw it at her, it wouldn’t kill her. But it’d be satisfying to inflict a sharp, mildly painful cut. I sat it on the hallway stand.
