“So how old are you anyway?” I ask.
“I was born in 1898,” he says and I whistle. “Are you afraid of an older gentlemen?” he asks and I nearly choke on my wine.
“What? No. I mean, that’s just a long time to be alive, you’ve probably seen a lot of things.”
“Nothing as pretty as the witch in my kitchen right now.”
Okay, that has me squirming in my seat. My freaking pointer finger is on fire for some stupid reason and I squeeze it. Am I sweating? No way.
“Is that why you’re giving me spells to protect myself against vampires, because you think I’m pretty?” I flirt back.
I fucking flirt back with the vampire and I like it. There’s no way this ends well, I’m already in a cauldron load of trouble, but as I sit at the counter with him, both of us leaning closer I can’t help myself.
“Because I want you safe. Being beautiful is just a bonus,” he says simply, like that was the easiest answer.
“Why do you want me safe?”
“For so many reasons, I’ll explain in due time,” he says, and I cross my arms against my chest.
This only makes Warin stare at my breasts for a moment, before they slowly slip back to my face. One moment he’s flirting with me and then the next he’s being secretive and pushing away.
What does this vampire want from me? And am I open to indulging him?
“In the meantime, I suppose I will need to do a better job of showing you that I very much care about you being alive.”
“You know, I’m not a fan of secrets. I’d much prefer your honesty.”
“Honesty?” he asks, clearing his throat, like it’s a confusing concept.
“Yes, honestly. Like not hiding secrets, being forthcoming with information. I’m sure you’ve heard of it.”
“I’ll have to look this word up. Honesty.”
I take a sip of my wine and Warin watches me intently, like I’m the most fascinating thing he’s ever seen. It’s nice being desired, even if I don’t know what he truly wants from me, it’s fun how openly he desires me, I’ve never felt that before.
“You do that,” I tell him.
“You haven’t brought up my note,” he says, changing the conversation, which he is especially good at.
“No, I haven’t.”
“Why haven’t you asked me to help you?”
What do I say, that I am feeling stubborn? Or that I don’t want to be embarrassed if I can’t do it right?
“I’ve been working up to it, plus I thought you’d much rather me torture one of your minions instead of you.”
“No. I’d very much enjoy you torturing me. You’re already so good at it,” he says with a smirk. “Tonight. In the gardens, we’ll practice.”
“I…no, we can do another night.”
“Tonight, in the gardens,” he repeats. “You have about four hours until the sun sets. I’ll see you then.”
He’s out of the kitchen before I can even retort. I breathe heavily through my nose, not even wanting to eat the rest of the fish Cecile prepared.
I’m not sure what’s more dangerous. Spending alone time with Warin, or the potential that I might completely fail at this spell.
The moon is high, nearly full. I’m going to have to figure out something with Warin so that I don’t miss my coven’s ritual. If I don’t show up, Violet and Iris would be concerned. Hell, I should probably be more concerned by the fact I’m basically being held hostage by a vampire—one I’m embarrassingly lusting after.
