Anathema (Causal Enchantment #1)(39)

“Minor mishap,” I said, consciously not pulling away this time.

“So … do you still think you’re dreaming?” Fiona asked.

By her tone, I could tell she knew the answer. Caden had told them. There was no point lying. I gave them a small smile and shook my head.

“Come, sit,” Amelie said, taking my other hand and pulling me to a bench.

I sat down, ever aware of Caden’s attentive eyes studying me from across the fire. “Where’s Rachel?” I asked.

“Not here, thank God,” I heard Amelie murmur under her breath, followed by, “She’s watching over the fake statue. We all took shifts down there in case the switch didn’t work and you showed up down there. She’ll be back soon.” There was no mistaking the contempt in her voice.

I glanced at Caden to check the effect of his sister’s tone but his face showed no emotion, his eyes still intently focused on me. Probably wondering what my blood tastes like.

“What happened, exactly, to make you believe us?” Fiona asked.

“You mean, besides these?” I reached up and lightly touched the bite marks on my neck.

They all cringed. “Still hurt?” Bishop asked, unusually serious.

I shook my head. “It would seem that I’m surrounded by vampires, giant unkillable dogs, and a vampire–witch who put a curse on me.” I suddenly began laughing, finding my predicament comical now that I had said it out loud for the first time.

“Why?” Caden asked, his eyes widening.

“I don’t know. Apparently Sofie was messing around with magic and fried their venom. Now they can’t ‘breed.’” I shuddered. “I’m supposed to come here and find a way to fix it.”

Silence filled the cave.

“You’re handling this well,” Fiona said softly.

“I’m glad it looks that way,” I answered, staring down at the fire.

“Are you afraid?” Caden asked quietly.

“Yes, terrified,” I answered truthfully, looking up into those beautiful, vibrant green eyes. Good vampire. Definitely has to be a good vampire.

“And you understand what we are?” he asked, his jaw taut. He hadn’t enjoyed asking that question.

“You’re … like Viggo and Mortimer and Sofie?”

He nodded once. “Viggo and Mortimer … yes.”

I swallowed the giant lump blocking my throat. Well, there’s no denying it now.

“But Sofie … not quite. You said she was also a sorceress?”

I nodded.

“Interesting.” Caden’s eyes flickered to his sister’s but their expressions were unreadable.

“Why?”

“Because sorceresses can’t become vampires. It’s impossible. The venom kills them.”

So Sofie was still lying to me. I should have known.

“In my experience, humans tend to freak out and run the other way, crossing themselves in prayer repeatedly when they find themselves in the company of a vampire. They don’t willingly share a campfire with four of them.” Amelie’s tone was light, but her eyes were earnest, as if she expected me to turn and run at any second.

“I still might, but right now it’s too cold,” I said, a small smile on my lips.

Laughter filled the cave.

“We won’t hurt you,” Amelie said softly.

Could I believe her? Looking at that angelic face and kind smile, there wasn’t a part of me that felt I was in peril. Then again, I had felt safe with Sofie. My sense of self–preservation wasn’t exactly top–quality. “Well, I figured you guys were the good kind.”

“What?” Caden’s voice rose, his face screwing up.

“Viggo told me most of the stuff about you guys is myth.”

“And you believed him?” I didn’t miss the scorn in his tone.

“Caden,” Amelie warned.

“You’re so sure we won’t attack you?” Caden continued, on his feet and pacing now.

“Caden,” Amelie said through clenched teeth.

I glanced warily at her. “Well, you didn’t attack me yesterday and you can’t get much closer than that, so …”

Caden’s eyes widened in surprise.

“After I was bitten, I mean. With all the blood!” I stammered, realizing that it sounded like I was referring to everything leading up to it.

Bishop barked out laughter. “We don’t have time for that right now. You can test it out again later,” he said, followed by, “and I don’t mean after you were bitten.”

I felt my face blaze, likely a hideous shade of beet red. Why would Caden tell him? Or maybe Bishop was reading my mind. Maybe that wasn’t a myth. Oh God, I hope Caden can’t read my mind.

Caden gave Bishop a shove in response, sending him flying into the cave wall. Chunks of rock crumbled to the ground as Bishop’s back made impact but the blonde vampire simply stood up and brushed himself off, smiling broadly, proud of the ribbing. It was such a pleasant smile that I cringed when it disappeared, his face twisting up in disgust.

I found out why when an unwelcomed voice sang out at the cave entrance, “What’s got you so upset, my love?”

“Oh good, you’re back,” Amelie answered dryly.