Until the Sun Falls from the Sky (The Three #1)(102)

She could say that again!

“I have a theory,” Lucien declared and I stopped breathing like this would help me hear better. “Her bloodline has been absorbing vampire essence for a long time. Each respective generation taking in more than any other concubine line. I think it’s affected her line and mutated, giving her powers other mortals don’t have.”

I started breathing again.

Wow.

I was maybe mutated. Vampire powers spliced in my genes.

That was huge! And cool!

I know you’re awake, my pet.

My body jerked.

Holy heck!

Lucien was so, freaking annoying. I couldn’t even eavesdrop without him cottoning on.

“I wouldn’t share that with The Council,” Cosmo warned, tearing me away from my thoughts.

“I’ve no intention to,” Lucien replied, his voice closer, coming my way and I assessed my options.

I didn’t know if he was angry but eavesdropping was never nice. Of course, in my defense, they were standing outside the door and the door was open.

I considered throwing myself out the window but I didn’t think my mutant vampire abilities translated to not breaking my leg upon such a feat. And I hadn’t been servicing Lucien long enough to get my super-healing vampire mojo going yet so I figured I should just face the consequences.

“Lucien, we’re not done talking,” Stephanie called.

“Leah’s awake,” Lucien informed her, sounding like he was right at the door.

Silence then, “Shit, she is. I wasn’t paying attention.”

Boy, vampires hearing heartbeats and breathing really sucked sometimes.

Lucien appeared. He closed the door and walked slowly to me.

“Hey,” I said hesitantly, testing his mood. My voice was rough as sandpaper.

This was a good move on my part. His expression had been thoughtful as if trying to decide which irritating, dominating vampire punishment to mete out. Upon hearing my voice, his eyes flashed then gentled as did his face.

He threw back the covers and got in bed with me even though he was fully-clothed, wearing jeans and a tight-fitting black t-shirt.

He pulled me in his arms.

“When did you know I was awake?” I rasped.

“The minute you woke,” he informed the top of my head scarily. “Now, stop speaking.”

“I’m fine,” I argued even though I didn’t sound fine, I really was. I didn’t feel any different than normal except my throat was kind of sore.

“I’m not arguing about this.”

“But –”

Quiet, Leah. He mind-controlled me.

Big, bad, vampire jerk!

I hate it when you do that, I snapped.

Why would you use your voice when we can converse perfectly well like this?

He had a point. Still, for good measure, I pouted. Seeing as my face was in his neck and he couldn’t see me pouting, this was a moot pout but at least it made me feel better.

Talk to me about last night, he ordered.

What do you want to know? I asked.

Everything, he answered.

I sighed then gave in. No sense fighting it, he was even more stubborn than me.

I had the dream again, I told him and stopped sharing.

When I said no more, he prompted, I guessed that.

I kept going, I don’t know what happened. I still don’t remember what I dream but it’s like the dream kept going even after I woke up.

How?

I shook my head but answered, It felt, I know this is going to sound totally unhinged, but it felt like I was being hanged.

His body went completely taut. I’d felt this before, of course, many times but there was something different about this time. Very different and very wrong.

Lucien?

Tell me more, he commanded, even his voice in my head sounded tight.

This alarmed me so I continued, I could feel Stephanie, sense the real world around me. I even heard the phone ring when you called. But I was still in the dream and it was more powerful. It felt like the floor went out from under me and the noose was strangling me.

Did you see anything?

Like what?

Like me.

This time, my body grew tight.

I know you’re dreaming of me, Leah. Now his voice was soft and coaxing.

I don’t know that.

You are, sweetheart.

What do you hear me say?

Let’s focus on you.

I’d rather focus on what you hear.

Later.

Now.

His arms grew tight and the breath went out of me.

“Do you see me in your dream? Did you see me last night?” he demanded to know.

I shook my head.

“Did you feel heat?”

That confused me.

Heat? I asked.

“Like a fire.”

My head jerked back and I looked up at him with wide eyes.

Yes, I breathed.

I watched as his eyes closed slowly and his jaw got tight, not like he was angry, like he was in pain.

I felt his pain. It hurt.

His look was also familiar. I didn’t know why but it was very familiar like I’d seen it before and it scared me.

Lucien! I cried.

His eyes opened.

What? I asked.

His hand at the back of my head tucked my face in his throat again as he answered, “Nothing, sweetling.”