Page 112 of No One’s Daughter

​She nodded, her understanding clear. “As long as you don’t keep looking at me like that.”

Before I could think of anything to say to that, my spine straightened at the sound of heavy steps beyond the door and she let go of my hand, taking a step backward. I stepped in front of Ailsa on instinct. I knew it was futile, but they’d have to go through me to get to her.

CHAPTER FORTY

Ailsa

THE MOMENT I’D seen Davien standing there in that room my heart had stopped beating for just a second.

He looked… different.

Not weak, but worn in a way I hadn’t seen before. His dark hair had been pushed back as though someone had tried to make him presentable, though a few unruly strands had already fallen loose again, no doubt from him repeatedly running his hands through it. The crisp shirt they’d forced him into did nothing to soften the sharp lines of him; if anything, it made the tension in his broad shoulders more obvious, the rigid set of his spine. There was a faint shadow along his jaw and his eyes were darker than usual, no specs of silver to be found.

A strange part of me—one that I didn't want to acknowledge, let alone understand—had wanted nothing more than to run into his arms, to take comfort in his strong hold.

I hated that instinct.

Hated that he had somehow become the closest thing to a friend I had, particularly in this world of supernaturals. I was so far out of my depth that my feeble heart called to him for comfort.

My eyes found his and I loathed the pity I saw there. “As long as you don’t keep looking at me like that,” I said, finding my inner strength. God knew I’d need it. I had the sinking feeling that things would only get worse from here on out.

​Davien stepped in front of me as though he could protect me from what was coming next as the door opened and a man stepped into the room.

​“I’d say I’m surprised to see you act as a lapdog to the boss, but here we are,” Davien snarled at the newcomer.

​“We can’t all be as rebellious as you,” he retorted, but I lost all ability to register the words between the two as a chill ran down my spine at the realisation that I knew that voice. They continued back and forth with their insults, but I couldn’t concentrate, I just froze. It felt as though my heart stopped beating when the blond vampire with the most familiar green eyes sauntered further into the room.

All of his bravado and charm dropped in an instant when our eyes locked.

He shook his head ever so slightly. “N-no,” he stammered.

He was the guy from the club.

The one I’d fucked before my whole life had changed.

I swallowed hard, unsure where to look or what to say.

He’s a vampire.

Which means he was a vampire then.

Had he known?

What the fuck was happening?

What sort of sick joke was this?

Was this some sort of trick to try and rattle me?

No, this was real.

The room stood in silence as I looked at this vampire and he looked right back, Davien in the middle looking between us, seeing the unspoken words. Sensing something between us.

We knew each other.

“It can’t be,” the man whose name I still didn’t even know stumbled. “This isn’t possible. You can’t possibly be—” he cut himself off. “But you’re human.”

“Someone fill me in to what the fuck is happening here,” Davien grit out.