Page 69 of Into The Light

“Ugh, Leech,” he spat at her.

“Lee-ya,” she corrected.

“Leeya-ch,” he said, deepening his glare. “What the fuck is that crazy broad doing here?”

“Leaving,” I growled and glared into her mischievous eyes.

“You’ve still got that mouthy puppy?” Leeya snickered. “I think you should let me go so I can castrate him and make a good little lapdog out of him.”

“Bitch,” Mark retorted and put a protective arm around Emilia’s waist. “Say that to me next year when I’m a vampire! Don’t think just because you’re a girl I won’t kick that perfect little ass of yours.”

She shot him a leveling glare and then turned her attention back to me. “Well, since I’m starving and you now have two humans in your house I’m not allowed to eat, and your welcome was far from desirable, I think I’ll be going.”

“Good,” I answered. “Now get the hell out of my house and never come back. If you do, I will part your head from your neck. Is that understood?”

I released her and she landed on her stiletto heels and rubbed the red mark around her throat. “Whatever, Aiden. I’m supposed to tell you that the families are convening in Scotland next month. They require your presence.”

“I won’t go. Now get out.”

“Your brother said he won’t take no for an answer.”

“Well he had better keep getting used to disappointment. I’m not going... but you are. I said get out. Now.”

“Fine,” she spat. “Have fun with your pathetic little toys. Call me when you’re done with her and ready for a real woman.” She launched forward and pressed a kiss to my lips before flashing out of the room. I heard the front door slam a second later, and I took a deep breath and turned to Mark and Emilia who shared the same shocked stare.

“What the fuck was that crazy bitch doing here? She is straight outta Fatal Attraction. And who knocked down my van Gogh?” Mark released his grip on Emilia’s waist and tossed his arms up as he headed for the painting lying on the floor.

“Emilia,” I whispered and flashed to her side. “Are you hurt?”

Her mouth kept opening, but no sound came out. The color in her face had long since drained and I worried for a moment she would faint. Finally, words formed though she stammered over them.

“Who was that?” she asked.

“Leeya. A vampire.”

“Those two things I put together on my own. Who is she... to you?”

I didn’t want to answer that question, but I couldn’t lie. “She’s part of one of our ally clans.” I swallowed and forced the next words out. “And I slept with her.”

Though I didn’t think it possible, even more color drained from her face. “Oh,” she managed to say.

“It happened a few times. It was a terrible idea and she meant nothing to me. I didn’t find out she was crazy until after. Now she thinks we’re a couple or something and she just keeps showing up. I can’t get rid of her.”

“Bitch be cray-cray.” Mark twirled his finger around his temple, then lifted the painting back onto the dented and cracked wall.

“I need some air,” she said and stepped away from me.

“Emilia.” I reached out to touch her arm, but she ripped it from my reach.

“Leave me alone.”

Tears clouded her eyes, and knowing I’d caused her pain sent agony searing through my gut. She bolted out of the room and I heard the door slam when she ran outside.

“I told you that Leeya was a bad idea. She’s cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. You can tell by her crazy eyes,” Mark said, pointing to his own eyes.

“Not now, Mark.” I sighed and started out of the room after Emilia. This was not at all how I saw tonight going, and now I needed to find her and make sure she was all right. Not just from her emotions, but also from Leeya who may very well still be creeping around. And now that she knew I held real affections for Emilia, she wouldn’t hold back on hurting her if the moment presented itself.

And no one would hurt my Emilia.