The quickness by which Deborah changed her personality, like a blond Jekyll and Hyde, suggested this was something she’d done many times before. I had my own mask that I used when needed. For me, the deeper the danger, the more my mouth seemed to run.
If I wasn’t careful, that would get me killed one day.
Deborah hooked her arm through mine, prancing beside me as we joined Nathan on the sidewalk.
“Is bitchy socialite what you were going for?” I asked, no judgment in my tone. Simply curiosity.
Deborah threw me an impish smile. “Now you’re getting it.”
“Does that actually work?” Nathan asked.
“It’s not about whether it works.” Deborah let go of my arm, strutting toward the building where Ahrun and the others were waiting. “It’s about not giving away anything that can be used against me.”
Ahrun’s eyes shone with approval as he watched Deborah’s approach. “Quite so.”
Thomas murmured something to Sienna who nodded in response as we walked up.
“Your blood companion is simply delightful, my dear,” Ahrun said, his gaze not leaving Deborah’s face.
Her fear blared across my senses. Her pulse thready and fast.
Ahrun made a disappointed sound, finally lifting his gaze from my companion. “Her mask still needs a bit of work, however. No matter how complete the façade, it means nothing if what is on the inside gives away your every thought and desire.”
Some of Deborah’s haughtiness faded until she looked like a deer caught in Ahrun’s headlights.
Dragging her behind me, I inserted myself between the two, giving Ahrun a fake smile. “Thank you for that most edifying statement.”
Not.
There was a tiny “fuck you” in the edge of my voice that only those who truly knew me would hear. People like Nathan, who was quick to look away. But not before I caught the faint crease in his cheeks that signified humor.
And Liam, whose eyes practically danced with amusement.
A second later, Ahrun’s gaze caught mine, holding me transfixed the way he had Deborah. A trace of fear tried to seep into my veins. The reaction to a much greater predator than myself having me in his sights.
With effort, I controlled my breathing and heartbeat, forcing it to remain steady as I let the sensation flow through me and out.
Ahrun’s lips curved upwards just the tiniest bit. “Better. Much better than your companion. You’re learning.”
“What happened to him not being allowed to interfere with me and Connor?” I asked Thomas.
My sire glanced at Ahrun. “We’ve reached a compromise.”
“Oh?” My fingers twitched before curling into a fist. “That must have been some car ride.”
“It was,” Ahrun said with a mysterious little smile as he glanced at his adopted son.
Thomas’s features were set in hard lines, giving nothing away. “Father simply pointed out a few details I’d forgotten.”
Ahrun’s voice slid into my mind.Such as the fact that the parent/child bond is no longer shared between just the two of you. I have a claim as well.
Dismay rose. “No.”
Tell me I wasn’t tied to yet another vampire. One who would be so much worse to deal with than my sire.
“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” Thomas assured me, flicking a glance at his father. “He won’t go too far. Will you, Father?”
“Of course not. All I want is for all of my children to thrive and prosper.”
