Anathema (Causal Enchantment #1)(54)
Fiona snorted. “Evangeline, you’re too polite. She’s a cold–hearted, vicious bitch!” Her violet eyes flashed with anger.
I looked at her, not prepared for the blatant loathing in her normally serene voice. “Yes, well, she is also drop–dead gorgeous. I guess all guys are the same.”
“What?” Amelie asked, her face twisting with confusion. “Ohhh, you mean Caden. Believe me, their ‘relationship’—and I use that term loosely—has nothing to do with her looks,” Amelie said. “But she is madly in love with him—crazy, fanatical, psychopath love.”
“But he doesn’t love her?” A spark of hope—a glimmer of the impossible—ignited within me.
Fiona held her finger up to her lips as we rounded the corner and entered the oasis, ending the conversation before I could get an answer.
“Wow,” I mumbled, taking in the scene. Steam rose from the water, swirling in the chilly mountain air that stirred the countless flames around the cavern to create a beautiful, dreamlike mist.
We found Bishop and Caden relaxing in a small, circular alcove. The water lapped just below their chests, the precise height to adequately show off Caden’s strong shoulders and neck. He had the perfect curves and ridges around his frame, the perfect amount of flesh and muscle to make him look neither beefy nor lanky. Perfect. I heard myself groan wistfully before I could control myself.
They stopped talking and turned, Caden’s eyes immediately landing on me. My shoulders hunched inward as I instinctively wanted to hide, wishing I could cocoon myself in that red blanket. Maybe the mist will blur his vision, I hoped. Highly doubtful. I wrapped my arms around my chest, trying to cover my entire upper body—a justifiable action, considering the chill in the air.
Fiona trotted over and slithered in beside Bishop, wrapping her arms around him before resting her head on his broad shoulder. Amelie was no less confident about her body as she jumped in beside Fiona, taking enough space for herself that I was forced to squeeze in beside Caden.
Next to those two, I probably resembled a rodent, scurrying to the edge and gracelessly clambering down, half tumbling in my hurry to find concealment in the water. Caden offered his hand and I took it, knowing I would likely end up falling on top of him otherwise. I didn’t know what was wrong with me lately. I wasn’t so physically inept anywhere else but near them and their superpowers.
When the warm water covered my flesh, I was able to relax and breathe again.
“Ah, the good old days: hot tubs, girls in bikinis …” Bishop reminisced, leaning back with his arms stretched lazily to either side of him, displaying his muscular biceps. “Eve—next time back, surfboards and a keg, ‘kay?” He waited for my giggle and nod of assent before his head fell back and he closed his eyes, resting peacefully.
“So, you all used to be human, right? Do you forget all of your skills when you … convert?” I asked cautiously. “I mean, why couldn’t you pick up where humans left off, with all the manufacturing, electricity—all that stuff?”
“Sounds so simple, doesn’t it?” Caden laughed without mirth. “Because we’re narcissistic, selfish creatures who want all the luxuries with none of the hard work behind it.” He paused. “Think of Viggo and Mortimer. The ‘good vampires.’” I caught the sarcasm. “Where do they get their money? Do you see them working? Earning a living?” Caden’s Adam’s apple protruded as he dropped his head back against the rock ledge. I had the urge to run my finger along it, but I resisted. He chuckled. “They rob their victims. They go after the ones whose wallets are thick, and whose illicit activities make their death unsurprising and welcomed. I’d bet my life on it. It’s what I used to do.”
I shuddered at his blunt admission. But was he right? I had wondered where they earned their money.
Caden continued. “You’ll be hard–pressed to find a vampire fixing toilets or serving drinks, unless they have an ulterior motive.”
“Sofie serves coffee,” I answered, challenging him.
Caden’s head rolled to face me. “I wonder why …” His voice was soft, protective. A gentle warning.
“You’re right. I have to question everything, don’t I?”
He nodded, a small smile touching his lips before he sat up again.
My eyes drifted around the alcove, landing on each vampire for a brief moment, listening to them chatter and laugh happily. That means I’m supposed to question all of you? The idea distressed me. I didn’t want to question them.
Every fiber of my body was keenly aware of Caden’s presence, so close to me. Now and again his arm would bump against mine as he laughed. I’m sure it was accidental, but each one of those nudges sent electric ripples through my body. I managed to steal several glances at him, pacing myself so I didn’t get caught ogling. Soft–looking masculine fuzz had started to grow in the center of his chest. Hairy chests had never appealed to me before. Now, though …
“Bishop?” Fiona’s low, worried voice cut into my fantasies. I glanced over to see the male vampire no longer languishing in the tub but sitting rigid, scowling and shushing her with his hand while he listened for something. The group sat tense for a moment, aware of something I was blind to.
Finally he shook his head, then grinned at Caden. “Nothing. Big Brown took care of it.”