AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sometimes the hardest thing we can do is be honest with those we love about who we are. Sometimes it’s also the best thing we can do.”
“I’ll think about it,” I said. Because that was the most I could promise right now.
***
Overly tired, I left Traeger and Connor to help with the dishes, promised them I could make the forty-yard trip back to the cabin safely.
The resort was as quiet as a graveyard. No firepits burning tonight, no raucous parties. Instead, the cabins were lit from the inside and out, even the bravest of shifters inside with doors locked. Even if they hadn’t believed us—or the other shifters who’d fought—about the creatures who’d attacked, they weren’t taking any chances.
I reached the cabin, was surprised to find Alexei on the steps.
“Hey,” I said, walking to the porch. “You waiting for Connor?”
“Nope,” he said. “I’m on guard.”
“On guard?”
He glanced up and back. “I’m going to keep an eye on the place while you sleep. Because of the shutters.”
I simply stared at him. “You’re going to guard the cabin.”
“That’s the plan.”
I considered walking inside, leaving him to his work. But I thought about what I’d shared with Georgia, the lightness I felt for making my confession. So I took another chance and sat on the step beside Alexei.
“I appreciate that you’re looking out for Connor. And I appreciate that you’re looking out for me.”
He nodded.
“I grew up in Cadogan House. Always guarded, always big shutters on the windows. In Paris, there were guards, but no shutters. Just big velvet curtains. They were beautiful—this deep blue that was the same color as the sky at midnight. But they were curtains. I’d trained one night for twelve hours—it was winter—and practically fell into bed when dawn came. And I didn’t check the curtains first.”
He was quiet for a moment, insects filling the silence. Then he asked, almost tentatively, “What happened?”
“My legs were exposed for, we think, about ten minutes before I screamed myself awake. There was a human guard in Maison Dumas, and she heard me, came running. She got the windows closed, bandaged me. I had to convince my parents not to fly to Paris. And learned my lesson about checking the curtains.
“I healed,” I said, “being a vampire. But it took a good week, and nothing cut the pain in the meantime.” I looked over at him. “I know your standing guard isn’t just about me. But I appreciate it. I just wanted you to know that. So, thank you.”
He nodded. “You’re welcome, Elisa.”
It was the first time I’d heard him say my name.
TWENTY
I need to buy Alexei a pound of gummi bears,” I said at dusk as we prepared to leave.
Connor snorted, crunching an apple of brilliant crimson. “Flirting with him isn’t going to endear you to me.”
“Sugar flirting isn’t emotional flirting. And it’s not actually flirting at all,” I corrected, belting on my katana. “It’s payment for services rendered.”
“Still sounds like flirting.”
“Have you updated your dad?”
“I’m not comfortable with that segue.”
“I’m not going to buy him gummi bears.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” He walked toward me, offered his apple. “Bite?”
