Page 13 of Awakened Light

“Evening, everyone,” Emilia said as she entered hand-in-hand with Aiden. Their skin looked kissed by the sun, and I felt the pang of jealousy once again that they had the freedom to enjoy it.

We greeted them as they settled onto the loveseat.

“How was your day?” I asked, emphasizing the fact they got to have one while the rest of us slept.

“Great,” Aiden answered. “We went for a horse ride through the countryside, and I showed Emilia some of the places we used to explore as kids.”

“Did you show her the view from the cliffs?” I asked, remembering fondly how we used to love to sit on them as kids... and how we’d all taken turns jumping off them when we’d first become immortal.

“He did.” Emilia grinned widely. “So beautiful. I grew up in Milwaukee. The little park a few blocks away was about as close as I got to nature every week. I can’t imagine getting to grow up running around the countryside like you did. You were all so lucky to have such a beautiful country to explore.”

“We were,” Lothaire agreed. “I’m glad you get to see our home.”

“Me too.”

“It’s your home now too.” Grizella smiled with more warmth than usual. It wasn’t that she was cold or uncaring, but she kept her emotions close to her chest and only offered them freely to Lothaire.

Emilia’s smile stretched across her face, and she settled back against Aiden’s chest.

“Where’s Mark?” Aiden asked as he closed his arms around her.

“I’m not sure.” I shrugged. “He and Annella went to the city clubbing last night. Something about Ryan Gosling being in town?”

“Oh, God,” Emilia said with a laugh. “Are they still trying to seduce him? Poor guy.”

“They have a bet to see who he falls for first.” Aiden chuckled. “Though I’m quite certain he loves his wife and they are both going to be losers.”

The front door opened and slammed, then Mark appeared in the living room. “Seriously. I just ran from freaking Glasgow in like, fifteen minutes. I dare any of you to beat me in a race.”

“Give us a couple weeks to get our speed back up and you’re on.” Aiden smirked.

“Any luck with Gosling?” Emilia arched a brow. “Or have you finally accepted that you’re just not his type?”

“Ugh. I give up. Gosling’s straight as a board. There’s no other explanation because if he was even a tiny bit gay, he’d have been all over this last night.” He waved a hand over his body before collapsing in a chair. “I don’t feel too bad though, because Annella struck out too. It’s over. We need to move on. Maybe we should try for Chris Hemsworth. Rarr.” He swiped his hand through the air like a claw.

We all laughed at Mark, ever our entertainment, and I shook my head.

“Sorry, Mark. Gosling’s a straight married man, and I’m pretty sure Hemsworth is too. Maybe set your sights on someone else next time. Someone who at least plays for your team or isn’t madly in love with their spouse.”

“Valid. But it was worth a try. Though I guess it doesn’t matter because I met the cutest boy last night. And he’s a vamp! What are the freaking chances? We danced all night, and he was the absolute best kisser. The best. And he’s a ginger. A hot Scot if you will.” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Atta boy!” Emilia cheered. “I want all the details.”

“He looks like Jamie from Outlander. Swear to God! Ugh.” He bit his closed fist. “So fucking hot. Annella’s gonna be so jelly because she was eying him up too, but lucky for me, he didn’t swing her way. Where is she? I’ve got to tell her what a good kisser she missed out on.” He looked around.

“I don’t know,” Aiden said. “She’s not back yet.”

Mark’s brows pinched together. “She’s not?”

Lothaire picked up on the worry in his tone and sat forward. “No, she’s not. Why does that worry you?”

Mark’s brow furrowed deeper. “I’m pretty sure she said she was heading home when we split up at the club.”

“Pretty sure?” I asked, my own worry starting.

Mark shook his head. “No. Sure. She definitely said she was heading back before sunrise. I crashed at the apartment in the city with Gregor.”

Worry lines creased in Aiden’s brow. “Well, she didn’t come back.”