The vampire, who actually wasn’t ugly in the least, cracked a smile. “Hello, Gwen.”
“Hi, Joshua,” I muttered, reluctantly tipping my head to the formidable man in greeting. “I see you’re still slinking around the hallways at night.”
His grin widened. “I could say the same for you.”
I grunted, not wanting to agree with him.
Joshua brushed his hair out of his eyes where it had fallen. “You’re still as taciturn as you were when we were kids.”
“Well, when your friend damn near kills you, it tends to leave a sour taste in your mouth.”
He threw his hands into the air, now glowering as if I had lost my mind. “Do you know how long ago that was? Fuck, we hadn’t even reached double digits in years. And you’re still upset about that?”
“You. Almost. Killed. Me.”
“Dammit! My fangs had just come in. I didn’t realize how sharp they were!”
I pointed a finger at him. “You didn’t even go get help. You let me bleed on the damn grass.”
His chest heaved in aggravation. “I was a kid, Gwen. I was freaked out. I didn’t even know my saliva could save the day then.” Joshua crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze running over my rumpled form. “And, besides, help did arrive. You know that. You’re here today because some poor bastard found us.”
More finger waggling. “I’d blacked out by then!”
He shrugged a shoulder. “You’re here, you’re fine.”
I let my eyes flash once in warning and shooed in his direction with both of my hands—even the one that was quickly healing. I grumbled, “Just go.”
Joshua pulled his phone out of his back pocket and checked the time on it. “You’re right. I better since this conversation isn’t going anywhere. Your father will be in the office shortly.”
“Huh?” I stared.
“Your father.” He put his phone away. “I’m his personal assistant. I have been ever since he was king.”
My mouth bobbed in shock.
The vampire’s position in life had risen.
His smirk hadn’t changed since we were small. “Surprise!”
I turned on my heel and marched away. “Goodbye, Joshua.”
He laughed quietly as I retreated from him. “Don’t forget the Day of the Dead is tonight. You look like shit so might want to get some sleep before the party this evening.”
“Fuck off, Joshua!”
More snickering. “It’s good to see you too, Gwen.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
~ KIMBER ~
“You’re sure you’re fine?” Danai asked, flipping my hand over again.
“How many damn times are you going to ask her, Danai?” Dorian’s voice barked from the corner. “Of course, the girl is fine. I mean, look at that boy with her!”
Tymon crossed his legs and smirked. “What aboutthe boy, Dorian? He glows? From a good, healthy sexual encounter.” Lifting his hand, Tymon studied it a moment. “Huh. Looks like I’m glowing a bit too.”
Danai leveled an angry look at him. “She can still be not all right and have had magnificent sex, Dorian. Stop whining or go get laid.”
