Keystone (Crossbreed #1)(13)
He stroked his beard and averted his eyes, implying that he had. “Where’s your maker?”
“My fangdaddy split the day I was born.” I turned my attention back to Viktor. “I can sit in this room if you want me to, but I don’t need sleep. I don’t think I could go forever without it—maybe a week. The Mage side of me still likes to snooze. Anyhow, there’s no point in my staying here. I’m sure there’s a place up the road where I can get a room.”
Viktor stood up, making a fist for emphasis. “Absolutely not. This isn’t just a job, Raven. It’s a way of life. We live together, and that’s final. Until I’ve made up my mind whether or not you’ll fit in with the group, you’ll stay here. If you don’t like it, I can show you the door.”
Christian folded his arms and turned to Viktor. “She’s bluffing. She’s not a Vampire.”
“Really, are you still stuck on that?” I rose to my feet and confronted him.
Christian’s fangs slid down, and we faced off like two enemies. “I think you’re confusing Vampires with Chitahs.”
“I’m not a Chitah. Has anyone ever told you that you’re a handful?”
His head tipped to the side, and he gave me a crooked smile. “Funny. Women seem to think that I’m more of a mouthful.”
“I wouldn’t be so cocky if I were you. Vampires have always been the easiest to kill, contrary to popular belief.”
Viktor chuckled and clapped his hand on Christian’s shoulder. “I’ll let you two get better acquainted. I have business matters to attend to. Raven, we’ll talk more later.”
Neither Christian nor I took our eyes off each other as Viktor left the room.
When the door closed, I lowered my gaze. “Let’s just get one thing straight: I don’t care for Vampires. Don’t get any ideas about knocking on my door in the middle of the night for some bonding time with my jugular.”
He put his hands on his hips and retracted his fangs. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m a man with taste.”
“B negative, I’m sure.”
“I bet your maker will have second thoughts before making another female. Perhaps he should have waited until your cycle was over as you seem to be afflicted with eternal PMS.”
“Get out.”
He smirked, arching a sardonic brow as if he demanded the final word. “Unless you like cuddling with statues, follow me, lass.”
I followed behind him, unruffled by his remarks. Vampires were often brash and spoke freely, a personality trait I’d grown accustomed to from an early age. Hopefully my room would have chairs made from the right kind of wood that would paralyze a Vampire, often referred to as impalement wood. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than enjoying a meal in bed while he lay frozen on the floor, forced to listen to my every thought.
I chuckled at the idea.
“Something funny?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder at me.
Refrain, Raven. Refrain. “Nothing at all. I just had a tickle in my throat.”
The study was located on the first floor, and we took a different flight of stairs from the grand one by the front door. I realized the place was so big that it must have several staircases for convenience. A small statue sat in the corner where the banisters joined. I marveled at the detailed artistry as we curved around it and ascended yet another flight. The house was breathtaking, with high ceilings and masterful carvings in the architecture. While the walls and floors were made from various kinds of stone, it wasn’t doom and gloom. The house was regal, luxurious, something out of a fairy tale. Lanterns ran along the walls with unlit candles inside. I couldn’t imagine someone tasked with lighting them all, but at least they wouldn’t have to worry about burning the place down since almost everything was made from stone and iron.
When we reached the third floor, he led me to the end of the hall and then opened a heavy wooden door.
I gasped, branching away from him toward the stone railing to my right. A wide interior balcony overlooked the property out front. The balcony didn’t protrude from the house but was built-in, covered, and yet completely open in the front. I could see everything from this vantage point: the front gate at the end of the driveway, the tops of the trees, how green the grounds were. A light breeze picked up the ends of my hair, and I leaned forward, taking it all in. Imagining how it must look moments before dawn simply stole my breath away.
“I didn’t know places like this existed.”
He half turned on his way to the opposite door, remaining quiet and watchful.
A series of stone arches ran along the railing, creating dividers between the openings.
“We have another that overlooks the courtyard,” he said absently.
Courtyard? I almost had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dead. Maybe I hadn’t survived the attack in the bathroom a few nights ago.
Thunder rolled, and the clouds opened up, rain falling like a heavy curtain and obscuring my view of the front gate.
“How many acres does he own?”
“Hundreds.”
A gust of wind slapped me in the face with a spray of rain.
Christian chuckled and carried on, hands clasped behind his back.
We moved through the opposite door and then turned left down a narrow hall with windows along the left side. It confused me since it was the central part of the house.