“Nonsense. You’re injured. We can’t have you doing everything on your own.” Sabrina stood up, more than a little enthusiastic.
It occurred to Lucie that both women actually seemed excited to try their hands at cooking, regardless of what they wanted others to believe. Somehow, she felt like this was going to turn into an interesting cooking lesson.
CRASH
Lucie jumped, startled by the sound of tin bowls crashing onto the floor. She was right about what making a simple batch of cookies might turn into. Now each girl was trying her hand at making their own batter. They had watched Lucie make her cookies and put them in the oven. That was when they asked if she could teach them to make them.
Lucie looked around the kitchen. When they had walked into the area, it was spic and span. Now the sink was full of dishes. There were cracked eggshells discarded everywhere and a healthy layer of sugar and flour covered the counters and floor. She wondered if they were going to have to clean all this up.
“What the hell does a dash of salt mean?” Sabrina asked, shaking her head. “Am I supposed to run with it?”
“Sabrina … you’re joking, right?” Lucie figured she had to have been teasing. But when she looked up at her, she could see she was serious. “You were watching me when I was mixing my batch, right?”
“Well, I tried, but then I lost focus and started daydreaming about a dark-skinned, muscular man lying next to me on the beach …” Sabrina gave her a sheepish shrug.
“Just pinch a tiny bit with your fingers and put it in.” Lucie hoped Sabrina’s fighting skills were better than her cookingskills. Otherwise, the vampire elites might not actually be that impressive.
She looked over at Tonya, who looked determined. She analyzed the batter she’d spooned out on the baking pan and gently eased her pan into the oven.
“Whatever. I’m done with this,” Sabrina said, shoving her batter to the side. She looked over at Lucie’s fresh-baked cookies and helped herself to one. Her eyes widened and she turned to Lucie. “These are amazing! They’re better than the ones the cooks make for us.”
“Are they really?” Tonya asked, grabbing one to test for herself. She bit into the warm, gooey cookie before turning a suspicious eye toward Lucie. “And you can fight, too … I’m worthless,” she whined, taking another bite of the cookie to drown her sorrows.
“Anyone can learn how to cook. But not everyone can be a lethal fighter. You’ve mastered the hard one. Cooking is easy. It’s just a matter of following the directions. The more you practice, the better you’ll get,” Lucie encouraged Tonya, who looked defeated.
“No, these cookies are amazing. Not everyone can make cookies taste like this. They’re incredible.” Tonya shook her finger at Lucie, who giggled at her.
“They’re just chocolate chip cookies, Tonya. And we still have to see how yours turn out.” Lucie grabbed the large bag of flour off the counter to start cleaning up while they waited for Tonya’s cookies to bake.
“Get out of here,” Sabrina said nonchalantly, waving her hand in front of her.
Lucie looked closely and could see her most hated foe hanging from the ceiling. A large, eight-legged assassin dangled from a single silk string, and his eight eyes were focused on Lucie’s jugular, she was certain of it. The wind stirred bySabrina’s hand as she swatted at the little slayer made it sway back and forth. With the next swat, chaos broke out.
It all happened so fast. In a moment, Lucie’s life flashed before her eyes. Sabrina’s hand collided with the spider, who was sent flying in the air straight for its target. Lucie screamed, throwing her hands up to shield herself, and the flour bag in her hands flew into the air. In seconds, all that could be seen was a big cloud of white. This was the second time that day that Lucie’s life had been in peril.
She’d overcome so much in her short life. She’d trained just as hard as the men. She studied and did well in school. She’d made herself well-rounded as a person and was also able to bake. All for what? For it to come to an end right now, under the cover of flour, his murderous intent fixed on her. The grim reaper held her life string in his hands, ready to cut it. Nothing could be done. There was no hope. All was for naught. She coughed as she breathed in some of the flour and curled backward into the counter.
Then she felt herself lifted into an electrifying embrace. Sweet sparks revived her body, giving her the energy to continue on. She looked up, and through the falling white cloud was able to make out the most beautiful amber eyes.
“Lucie, are you okay?” Ryan asked as he looked over her with concern.
“Is she okay? She attacked me with flour.” Sabrina coughed as she walked away from the white cloud.
“Well, what did you expect? You sent that spider right for her. Disgusting little thing was going to land right on her.”
“It probably is on her.” Sabrina said innocently, making Lucie squirm as she looked over herself frantically.
Ryan chuckled and leaned his head down to breathe in Lucie’s scent. “We’re going to have to do something about these spiders, I think,” he whispered against her skin.
Dark smoke began wafting in the air, mixing with the flour.
“My cookies!” Tonya cried as she ran to the oven to bring out a sad tray of darkened cookies.
“Like I said … charred,” Sabrina said.
“It’s okay, Tonya. We’ll keep trying. You’ll get it.” Lucie smiled at her.
“Well, at least I have your cookies to eat.” Tonya grabbed another but it was slapped out of her hand.
