Moonlight's Ambassador (Aileen Travers Book 3)(71)

His eyes held mine. They were sympathetic even as they were unyielding. "I can’t make that promise as I'm sure you're aware."

A tear slipped free, and I looked away. Yeah. I was aware.

"Where is she?" he asked in a soft voice.

"You'll need me for this," I told him, meeting his eyes with grim purpose. "She'll have more than one exit planned, and she'll stay under cover unless she sees me."

His fangs came out, his eyes fierce. "That will not happen."

I raised my eyebrow, unimpressed. I didn't feel much of anything at the moment. Just numb. As if a different Aileen had taken over my body—one forced to do what was necessary, even while it felt like the worst kind of wrong. I felt defiled to the very core of my being. What was one angry vampire?

"I need to talk to her," I said, holding his gaze and not letting the anger in his eyes phase me. "You'll give me that, or I'll call her back and warn her you're coming."

He was across the room, his hand around my throat as he picked me up and held me effortlessly against the wall next to my bed. "It’s unwise to threaten me. I've given you more leniency and understanding than any other vampire in my command. Do I need to remind you of where you stand?"

My soft chuckle held little humor. "Go ahead. Do your worst. You still won't catch her without my help."

His fingers tightened around my throat, just a small movement, not hurting, just threatening. I let my conviction fill my gaze. I wasn't budging on this one. If he didn't like it, he could pack sand.

He drew closer, his smell wrapping around me as his eyes mesmerized. "Why? This action will only hurt you."

I flinched at the truth. "Those are my terms. Take them or leave them."

His hand loosened. I didn't move, remaining still as he drew closer and rested his forehead against mine. He sighed, his breath tickling my lips.

"You want to bargain? Very well." He drew back, a dark smile playing across his face. "You will owe me ten nights."

I blanched. "For what?"

He tilted his head. "That is for me to decide."

"Fine, but I want her safety guaranteed." I lifted my chin.

He shook his head. "You could not afford the price tag that came with such a guarantee."

"Still." I was willing to risk it.

"No. All I will promise is to try to keep her alive. Brax, and her own actions are the only thing that can guarantee the outcome." His face was serious as his eyes drilled into mine.

I took a deep breath and released it. Fair enough. I didn't like it, and there were too many things that could go wrong, but I could see how his hands were tied.

I looked away from him and stared unseeing at the wall. Moment of truth.

"I got kicked off the senior trip when I accidentally set fire to the chemistry lab during an unsupervised experiment." It was too late to change my mind. All I could do was hope. "Of course, I was covering for Caroline at the time. She stayed behind to keep me company. We spent the entire week on top of the abandoned railroad tracks over near the Scioto river. We told stories to each other as we drank the liquor we stole from our parents’ secret stash."

Liam squeezed my shoulder, his face neutral as he turned to where Nathan leaned against the door frame.

"I'll call Brax and explain what's happening," Nathan said in response to the unvoiced order from Liam. His eyes came to me for a moment before he turned and disappeared into the other room. His footsteps faded as Liam waited with me.

I didn't look away from the night outside, too drained and tired. What I wouldn't give to be able to roll back into this bed and just go to sleep, let the night pass me by. Sometimes being a vampire sucked.





CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I'D TAKEN A long, scalding shower, wishing the heat would wipe away some of the emotional grime I felt. Tears cascaded down my face for several moments before I got a hold of myself. Crying wouldn't help things. My decision had been made, my course set. Sometimes being a friend meant doing what was necessary even if it hurt the other person in the short term. I saw no other way that didn't lead to death for someone. I doubted Caroline would see it in that light, but that was something I would have to live with.

There were a lot of things I had to find a way to live with in this life. Someday I feared those things would become more than I could bear, and I would crumple under their weight.

Dressed, my hair tied back in a ponytail and my face free of makeup, I padded into my bedroom collecting things along the way. My phone ringing brought me to a stop. I stared at it for a long moment, not wanting to answer. Nothing good ever came of answering that phone. Evidence—last time I answered I'd ended up betraying one of my oldest friends.

Hermes calling.

Shit, I had a run tonight that I was late for. I grabbed the phone and clicked answer.

"Where are you?" Jerry rumbled, the sound having only the barest resemblance to his normal voice. This version was deeper, like a volcano on the precipice of eruption. You knew when it went it was going to take out everything in its path.

"Not where I'm supposed to be," I said.

"And, are you planning to get to your pickup anytime soon?" he asked, that volcano bubbling ominously.

I stopped putting on my shoes and sat on the bed. My silence was answer enough.