That made my lips quiver. “He did point out I wasn’t asking for permission… but then again, he also barged in here like he was going to destroy something.”
Humor shone in André’s eyes, but he didn’t let it take over. “I mean, he still an Alpha Wolf ShifterandMr. Temperamental, so…”
“True.”
“I really wasn’t trying to be a condescending asshole, I’m sorry I came across that way,” he added. “I know you are a capable woman. I was just trying to point out that even though Dante, Hannes, and I would follow you into battle blindly, it’s best if we have a plan.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Then, next time, instead of barging in to tell me what I can and can’t do,andpointing out everything I don’t know, you might want to offer your help. Ask what I’m thinking, if I have an idea, or if I know where to start. Sit with me and provide the information I’m missing so we can form a plan together…”
“Reverse psychology, nice.”
“I know it’s a wild idea, but it might work.” I sarcastically shrugged.
A chuckle escaped him at that, but his haze became troubled as he held my gaze, focusing on my red eyes again.
I sighed. “Have you guys heard anything from Dresden? You are not keeping that from me too, are you?”
He shook his head. “We haven’t heard from him, but it’s barely been a day,” he excused.
“I understand…” I offered softly.
“My guess is he wasn’t able to catch up to them quickly enough to get her back last night, so he had to switch strategies. Knowing him, he’s going to stay low. Make them think they were successful in shaking him so he can better assess the situation. He’ll evaluate the area they took her to, how strong their pack is, if there are any Vampiri there, and how to best get in to rescue Anastasia. He won’t risk her safety by being impetuous… Dresdenwillcontact us the moment he has that information so we can help him, or at the very least, to let us know.”
My lips pursed as I mulled over his words. That made perfect sense, the trick was finding the patience to wait.
André’s eyes fell to my lips as the silence and tension stretched between us. Only, his jaw contracted the instant he glanced up at my red eyes. That strange, troubling emotion gleamed in his gaze yet again.
Now he was just trying to piss me off. “Okay, that’s enough. Are we going to talk about the elephant in the room or what?”
Not expecting me to be so direct, he blinked.
Me? Not direct? Had he met me?
“Okay, André. I’m sorry your sweet Natasha isn’t the one standing before you. But we’ve already established I’m not her, even though this is her body. I have red eyes because, and you are going to be shocked when you hear this, I am a Vampir too. Just like you! And as you already know, though I just found out, being one means having eerie red eyes.”
André’s nostrils flared with my sarcasm, his jaw straining so impossibly that I expected it to pop.
“Also, you are a fucking hypocrite. Your eyes went bright red when I mentioned Arnoldt and his evil Vampir friend wanted to drain my blood—and they are still red, by the way. Right now.I’m looking at your red eyes. So, answer me this. It’s okay for you to have red eyes but not for me?!”
I threw my arms in the air, seeing the fury almost sizzle along his skin. So much for him changing his ways.
“Well, it is what it is,Dawn,” I enunciated his Vampir name, knowing he hated it because apparently, I was also a petty bitch. “Hate my eerie eyes, or me all you want, but I’m not your?—”
A breathy gasp escaped my lips when he moved faster than I anticipated, slamming me against his chest and capturing me. My heart instantly began to race in response.
“Don’t ever call me that again,” he seethed between clenched fangs, his mouth brushing over mine with each forced word. “I amyourAndré.”
“Aaah!” I screech when he dashed with me in his arms, wings snapping out of his back to launch us through the balcony and into the dwindling afternoon sky.
“I love when he does that!”Star screeched.
“Now you come back?!”
“I may hate your guts right now, but I will always come for the hotties… get it? Come for the?—”
The sound of André’s flapping leathery wings mixed with the suddenly wild breeze swallowed her words. My heart thundered as he dipped towards one of the towers of the castle, and a collection of hard shingles pressed against my back.
“We are on the roof!”Star revealed.
