Since our bond snapped into place, she seemed less and less afraid of us both. She slid seamlessly into our lives as though she belonged here and always had.
That was a dangerous thought.
"Give me a few minutes to shower and I'll make breakfast," I said.
Merry shook her head. "Don't worry about it. I already had a couple of Pop-Tarts and some coffee. I need to get back to work."
I wanted to argue, but knew better. Not because I knew her, but because I understood what drove her. She wanted to know everything about Dumont she could because it made him less of a threat. Less scary.
"Then, I'll take a shower and figure out what we're having for lunch."
I ignored the image that flashed in my mind of me, naked under a stream of hot water. It was her thought and I knew she would be embarrassed if I reacted in any way. I was careful not to look directly at her as I left the kitchen.
But I smiled when I knew neither of them could see me.
Merry no longer regarded me as a monster, but as a man.
And it wasn't because of the bond. I would have felt it otherwise.
After so many years of loneliness and failure, she was my chance at redemption.
When I came out of the bedroom, I found Callum and Merry in his room, working in silence on their computers. Both of their coffee mugs were empty, so I made them each another cup.
I couldn't help with the computer work, but I could make sure they were fed and caffeinated.
I despised feeling useless and found myself back outside, checking the perimeter wards again.
The feeling of being watched took hold of me. It was like an itch between my shoulder blades or a burn on the back of my neck. I could feel the eyes on me, but there was no one there. Dumont nor his men had breached the wards. Not even a human had stumbled upon us out here due to the nature of Ava's spells.
Yet I couldn't shake the sensation.
Somewhere out there, we were being watched, but I couldn't be sure if it was by vampires or any other supernatural creature.
Whoever they were, their magic was well-hidden.
Still, even if I couldn't see or hear them, I knew they were there. My instincts screamed it.
I headed back to the house to check the interior fortifications and maybe set a few traps of my own.
When they came, we would be expecting them.
But they wouldn't be expecting us.
