Chosen at Nightfall (Shadow Falls #5)(29)

"Okay, let's get one thing straight," Burnett said, getting things started. "No one is leaving this room until I have answers. And I don't care if I have to use force to get them." He stared directly at Hayden.

"And since I don't hit girls, I'd suggest you start explaining."

Hayden tilted his head up. "Explaining what?" he asked, not showing the least bit of intimidation.

Kylie had to admire Hayden for it, too. She loved Burnett and knew he wasn't unfair or unjust, but she still had a quiver in the pit of her stomach. The man had intimidation down to an art. And one he excelled at.

"What's the tie between you two?" Burnett asked.

"Tie?" Hayden asked.

"At first Kylie was certain that you were the one behind the dead girls, and then suddenly you are her ally. You lied when you told me she asked to be let out at the cemetery."

"I did let her off at the cemetery."

"Then you lied about her coming to you. I know Kylie, and she wouldn't have just gone to you for help without a reason, without a connection of some sort."

"I'm her teacher," Hayden answered. "I thought helping a student in difficult situations was a plus around here."

"And I thought you were smart enough to know when to come clean!" Burnett's eyes glittered with specks of angry green. "The only reason I haven't already kicked your ass out of here is that I want answers first. So start talking!"

Kylie, afraid this might get out of hand, moved between the two men. "Can Hayden and I have a moment of privacy?"

Burnett's expression hardened.

"Please," Kylie said. "I ... I think it will help get to the bottom of this."

Burnett's jaw tightened to the point it looked about ready to crack.

"And when you come back, I'll have answers for you."His frown tightened. "I'll be right outside the door."

"But you can still hear-"

"That's all I'm giving you!" he demanded.

She suddenly realized that was enough-for she and Hayden could go invisible and their chat wouldn't be overheard by intruding vampire ears. She nodded and watched the angry vamp step out. As soon as the door closed, she pressed a finger over her lips and then grabbed Hayden's hand and took him into the invisible realm with her.

"You can already do this?" Hayden's voice echoed but he remained unseen.

"Yes." Kylie held on to his hand, so she'd know where he was.

"That's amazing, Kylie. Do you realize how far advanced you are? When did you-"

"Sorry, but we don't have time to talk about that right now. What are we going to tell Burnett? I think we should come clean."

"He'll insist I leave," Hayden said. "And you'll lose my protection."

"First, I don't need protecting from anyone here. But I don't want you to go, I want to have someone I can go to if I have questions. Second, I'm not sure Burnett will make you leave. But if we don't tell him, he's for sure going to send you packing. Our best chance of you getting to stay is telling him the truth."

"I see your point," Hayden said. "But..."

"I didn't tell him, you know. He doesn't even know you're a chameleon. He just-"

"I know," Hayden said. "He's been suspicious of me since before you even left."

"That's my fault. I-"

"I know," Hayden said.

The sound of the front door slamming brought Hayden's words to a halt. Burnett stormed back into the room, his eyes glittering with fury.

"That man is impossible," Hayden said.

"God damn it!" Burnett's words rang out. "Kylie! Where are you!"

"I'm going to talk to him," Kylie said to Hayden. "You stay invisible." She released his hand and willed herself to be seen.

Burnett's scowl landed on her immediately. "Where is he?" he bit out.

"He's here. We're still talking. In private, like I asked."

"You can make others invisible?"

She nodded. Not that I had to make Hayden invisible-him being chameleon-but Burnett doesn't know that.

"This is foolish. I want answers!"

"And you'll have them if you allow me this time!" she demanded, not backing down. "I'm asking you to trust me as you have asked me to do so many times in the past."

He growled and turned his gaze to the ceiling as if pleading for patience. Kylie willed herself invisible again.

"I'm right here," Hayden's voice came beside her. "So exactly what all do you want to tell him?"

"Everything," Kylie said to an empty spot, but she trusted he was there. "That you were sent here by my grandfather and that you're a chameleon. And that you want to stay on here." She paused. "And it wouldn't hurt to add how impressed you are with this place. If we can get him to see you as our ally thenmaybe..."

"Maybe what?" Hayden asked.

"I don't know if it's possible, but I was thinking that a lot of the younger chameleons like Jenny could benefit from Shadow Falls."

"I've entertained that thought myself," Hayden said. "But the elders wouldn't-"