He adjusts himself, no longer in a defensive position, as I take out my phone and text the chef.
“It’s done. Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to your mistress. I’d rather die than ever see her harmed.”
He seems to believe me as he grabs the remote and puts on a show, no longer interested in our one-sided conversation.
Ember comes out of the bathroom looking like a vision. If I burn in the sun, it would be worth it seeing the smile plastered on her face as she reads off the spell. I can feel it wash over me, and I’m nearly tempted to fall asleep myself.
“Do you think it worked?” she asks, nibbling on her lip.
“Undoubtedly, my talented little witch.”
She doesn’t bluster and I wonder if this is the turning point of her accepting my compliments.
Chapter 22
He’s going into the fucking sun to make me happy and I can’t decide if I should try to run away from him or let him seduce me.
This is all such a complete mess.
What I found in his safe should have me running for the hills, but instead, it’s giving me pause. Warin understands actions, not words it seems, and when I look back at everything he’s said and done for me, things are clicking into place.
His actions are louder than I want to admit. Giving me the grimoires and granting me access to spells that could cause him harm? Him protecting me from the council and staking Joyce? Not to mention all his little nicknames and sweet words he says to me. I’ve never had a man give me so much attention. It’s clearly going to my head. Despite his actions, despite this rippling in my gut, I know I can’t completely trust him—a vampire.
I sigh as I put on my makeup. Why couldn’t I be a normal witch? Why am I so charmed by the idea of Warin taking care of me and why is him being possessive and protective such a turnon? The back and forth banter we have is fun, I like sparring with him as much as I liked playing cards and laughing.
Hell, I even like that he’s a vampire, the idea of him sinking his teeth into me while he shoves his…No, those deviant thoughts are exactly what got me into this mess.
No man has ever interested me like Warin does. Somehow this scheming vampire has all my attention.
I groan at myself. This attraction for danger, this magnetic pull to Warin, it’s confusing and I’m not sure it would ever work. Why couldn’t I be into witches or short flings with human guys?
Nope, I had to be attracted to the hottest, richest, asshole vampire there is.
He’s a vampire and I’m a witch. The two don’t mix. Even if I have had very explicit dreams about what he would do to me. Or even more dangerous, the way I’m longing for more of his touch and sweet words.
I point at myself in the mirror, hating that I put the dress he wanted me to wear on. I don’t speak out loud, knowing he can probably hear my heartbeat right now.
He isn’t charming. This isn’t some fucked-up romance between a vampire and a witch. He kidnapped you. He’s very likely been stalking you for years. This isn’t cute, Ember.
Even as I say the words in my head I feel like a fraud. He is charming, even when he’s being an asshole.
Ugh. Enough.Back to the plan. I should run back to the coven with my tail in between my legs and tell them the mess I’m in. It won’t be a surprise. They don’t expect much from me.
Warin does. He told me I was talented, but it doesn’t matter. I have to stick to the plan.
I leave the bathroom and stare at Warin in his UV protectant attire. He’s risking the sun for me and I’m considering running out on him. It has my stomach sinking, guilt slithering aroundmy gut as I look at him. My body is revolting against the idea of running away from him, but my mind knows what I need to do.
No matter what Warin promises, I can’t stay here. It’s not truly safe. Being locked away in his windowless room isn’t the safest place for me, back with my coven is.
“Beautiful as always. Ready to go?” he asks.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
We go through the house, the windows not affecting him. None of the vampires in the house are milling about and I wonder if my spell was that potent, or maybe they’re all just as heavy of sleepers as Warin is.
Just as we’re about to reach the garage, Sebastian leans against the door, standing there in nothing but his underwear. He’s attractive, I suppose, but nowhere near as good looking as Warin.
“Hmm, taking your pet out for a day stroll?” Sebastian questions.
