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“You will play dumb, just another pretty serving girl. But all the while, you, querida, you will be the brightest star in the room. ” He stroked my hair, and a shiver ran up my spine, leaving warmth in its wake. Never before had anyone been so confident of my potential, and it was an even greater rush than his tingling touch.
The more time we spent together, the more we talked, the less wary of him I felt, and for a split second, I was a girl and he was a guy, and I leaned my head into his hand. Perhaps a first kiss with a vampire wouldn’t be so bad after all. It’d be just the sort of daring fling a woman on a secret mission might enjoy.
I thought of Ronan, and of how we’d shared a few moments. But Ronan had always kept a cool distance, whereas Master Alcántara was flattering, demonstrative, appreciative. It was nice to feel wanted for once.
He stroked his hand down to cradle the side of my neck, and his fingers were cool on my nape. He gave the slightest squeeze. “You will serve their soup and pour their wine, all the while eavesdropping and seeking the clue that will lead us to Carden
—if he still lives. ”
“I can do it. ” Confidence made my voice ring strong.
“I knew the moment I read your profile, querida. The moment I saw your photograph. I knew you were a gift. ” He took my hand in both of his and began to stroke his thumb in my palm, making slow circles. “Brains, beauty, but such strength and humility, too. You are perfect for this. ”
Ronan might’ve been acting cold and distant, but this hot Spanish vampire sure wasn’t. The reluctance I’d once felt in his presence faded, leaving only my fascination.
“I feel it, too. ” It was such a thrill. I’d be James Bond and Lara Croft, all rolled into a five-foot-two-inch frame. My mind went to all sorts of clandestine, sexy-spy places. “It all sounds so exciting. ”
“Temper your enthusiasm, Acarita. Where we are going, if you are discovered, you will know a fate worse than any you have ever imagined. ”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
I was going undercover. Alcántara’s trust made me want to do my very best, and that week I prepared harder than ever. He wanted decorum, and not only did I pour myself into the class, I totally went Martha Stewart on Dagursson’s ass. Hell, I could’ve set a table blindfolded and with one arm tied behind my back if the need arose…though, from what Alcántara warned about these new, bad vamps, maybe craziness like that wasn’t out of the question.
Exactly seven days passed before we got in that boat. It was seven days of learning how to curtsy, to pour wine without spilling, and to slick my hair into a perfect bun.
I ran into Ronan just once all week, walking across the quad. “Annelise,” he’d said, “you must be careful. ” His voice was intense, but the look he gave me was blank, almost sad. Did he think I was going off to my death, or did he just not like the idea that I was going off with Alcántara? Either way, Ronan was the one with the girlfriend—I didn’t know what he had to be sad about.
But then it struck me: If I was going to escape—and I had every intention of succeeding—this was good-bye. Forever. Never again would I see him.
My eyes bored into his. I knew a wash of anguish, memorizing those incandescent green eyes. It was harder to let go than I’d thought. The swirl of emotions panicked me till I felt like a girl drowning in the churning waves, battling an undertow that was unexpectedly strong.
I fought it, tossing off a studiously careless reply. “I’m always careful,” I said blithely, and when he frowned at that, I added, “In my own way. ”
“Just remember what I’ve told you,” he said, his own voice gone cool. “Remember to be discreet about the things you’ve seen. ”
My twinge of sadness crystallized into anger. Just the notion that he might not trust me made me quivery with a weird cocktail of resentment and embarrassment.
Things had been even worse when I’d run into Amanda. She was so distracted when I’d seen her in the dining hall, I’d wondered what I was doing even sitting with her. I didn’t know if they were worried about me, or if it was themselves they were protecting.
So much for the connection I’d thought we’d all had.
It was that mix of annoyance and mortification that fed my response to Ronan. “You mean, don’t tell anyone that I followed you to a forbidden part of the island. ”
His nod was tight, reluctant. “To keep information to yourself is to keep yourself safe. ”
I crossed my arms tightly across my chest. “Is that a threat?”
“Good Christ, girl. Of course it’s not a threat. ”
“Well, your stupid secret is safe with me. You and Amanda, and your cliff-top hideaway, too. I’ll stay shut up about all of it. ”
He scraped his hand through his hair, spiking it every which way. “For someone who claims to be so smart, you certainly can be dim. This isn’t about the cave, or Amanda. I’ve been doing everything in my power—everything—to keep you safe. ”
“I don’t claim to be smart. I am smart. ” I stood tall, imagining myself as powerful as my words.
He looked me up and down, and I practically saw the cogs spinning in his head. “Are you drinking more than your prescribed dose of the blood?” Our eyes locked and held, and as he read the truth on my face, his shoulders fell. “You must be cautious. Too much can be dangerous. ”
“It makes me stronger. ”
