Page 74 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

“What?”

Laurent snorted, extending a hand. “It’s a pleasure, Dr. Kennedy. Your work is impressive.”

“Thank you.” Her grip was firm and unafraid as she shook his hand. “I’ve not met many vampires.” He didn’t miss the gold necklaces glittering at her neck, or the way she blinked at him several times, as if she saw something else in him.

“There’s someone I would like you to meet,” he quickly rushed to say. “I think the two of you will get along nicely. Miss Shaw?”

Zola gave Lily a little push, whispering words of encouragement. Lily’s chin lifted and she paraded down the steps like a debutante. If he hadn’t been able to smell her anxiety, he would think she’d transformed. He liked the confidence in her stride.

“Miss Shaw, this is Dr. Eleanor Kennedy. Dr. Kennedy, Lily Shaw.”

“It’s a huge pleasure,” Lily gushed, transforming as she shook the female’s hand. “I looked into your work. Your paper, Unique Instruments Through the Baroque Age, was fascinating. I stayed up until three reading it.”

“Oh!” Dr. Kennedy’s surprised hand lifted to the necklaces at her neck. Her fingers wrapped around them, almost like an unconscious tick.

“Aside from being a clever mathematician,” Laurent informed their guests, “Miss Shaw is a pianist. She graduated top of her class this year, and she’s enrolled in BU’s Ph.D program this fall.” He felt a sense of satisfaction when Lily’s cheeks turned pink, the flush spreading toward her ears.

“That’s wonderful,” Dr. Kennedy said. “And… I didn’t think anyone would enjoy that particular paper. It’s so dry.” Bastian stared down at his mate, lips parted. “What?! It’s a snoozer.”

“Nothing you write is a snoozer,” Bastian softy growled, as if she’d offended him.

She sighed and shook her head, but didn’t bother hiding the soft smile that tugged at her lips as her hand settled on her belly.

“Shall we head inside?” Laurent asked. “Vittorio has refreshments. I’m sure you are eager to get off your feet.” He motioned with an arm, inviting them forward. “Miss Shaw, would you please show our guests to the library?”

“Oh.” Lily’s graceful six foot frame seemed to grow taller. “Yes, of course. This way.”

“Don’t forget my warning,” Bastian growled, falling into step beside Laurent with a firm arm around his mate’s shoulders. That watchful gaze that missed nothing studied the other vampires.

“I haven’t forgotten, Bas. No hungry looks. We aren’t savages.” Bastian merely lifted his brows, as if to argue. He knew exactly how supernatural creatures were about their mates. Protective to the point of unreasonable aggression. In a way, he was beginning to understand the feeling.

He thought of how he’d react with outsiders around Lily. His mood darkened at the thought. Not just because of the sudden, imagined threat, but the realization of how things had changed. How he had changed.

So yes, perhaps he understood more than he cared to admit. Which was part of why he’d wanted Lily’s help in all this. Having another human around would ease the tension, and ideally, put both of his guests at ease.

His eyes fell on Lily for the umpteenth time. It had been a struggle to keep them off her since she’d emerged in that distracting dress. Zola’s doing, most certainly. She’d told him about their little shopping spree after he’d seen the bill. Eight hundred and sixteen thousand dollars. “But it was all for Lily,” Zola had argued. “I put my own stuff on my card.”

He knew he would spend a thousand times that sum if it meant watching her bloom like this—confident, radiant, alive.

20

Iwas acutely aware of my heart racing as we walked. Zola remained beside me, a solid presence that lent me the confidence I needed to appear unruffled. Because I’d just met a goblin! Laurent had been right. He looked nothing like the goblins I’d imagined. If anything, I couldn’t help but think of the Orcs of Truth series. The one Zola and I loved so much. With his long hair shaved on one side, all the piercings, the tattoos! Even his gray skin and pointed ears. So I tugged on her arm and said, “He looks exactly like I imagined Iarvosh would.”

“You naughty, naughty girl. Get your head out of the gutter,” she teased.

I thought about Bastian and Laurent, side by side as they walked. As much as I hated to admit it—because I hated to—I was more partial to Laurent. Both males were broad shouldered and layered with muscle. Bastian had more of a bad boy look while Laurent simply looked deceptively lethal.

I knew firsthand how lethal.

Thinking of him gave me a strange…itchiness in my body. It had gotten worse with each passing day. I couldn’t quite place it, but it intensified whenever he was near.

We entered the library. My eyes fell on the giant table and I faltered. I rushed forward to grab my things sitting out for all to see. I clutched them to my chest as everyone filed in, backing into the shadows. Laurent appeared beside me as if something were wrong. I stiffened, fighting the overwhelming urge to flee.

“There is a place for you on the shelves in the corner if you’d like to put your things there.” His low voice sent a rush of goosebumps over my skin. From fear, surely.

“The corner?” A small section that usually held books was now empty.

“For your growing book collection,” he explained, then moved away to speak to the others.