“I wanted to apologise for Karnivale last night. I never meant for you to get—”

“It’s okay,” I said. “Don’t worry about it.”

“How can I ever make it up to you?”

“Well, you can start by keeping my fugitive a secret.”

“That goes without saying, Amara,” he said, and his tone said the same. “We’re still friends, right?”

“Yeah. Still friends.”

“I talked to Arthur.”

“About what?”

“About Jason.”

“What about him?” I looked at David, who smiled, like he already knew.

“Told him Jason’s been stalking you.”

“What makes you think he’s stalking me?”

“He knew where you lived. The scouts I was telling you about—the ones searching for David—have been tracking a completely different girl.”

“What’s that got to do with Jason?”

“He’s the one who put them on that trail.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. But even Arthur had no clue they were onto the wrong girl.”

“And you told him?”

“No. He still doesn’t know. I left it that way, Amara. I wouldn’t meddle in things that are not of my business.”

“Scared of Jason, huh?”

“That douche? No way,” he scoffed; David chuckled. “Jason’s bottom of the food chain, kiddo. No one’s scared of him.”

David confirmed this with a smug grin.

“So, you told Arthur Jason was stalking me?”

“Yeah. Jason’s not a part of the search. He has no reason to be stalking you. Arthur’s called him off—put him on castle duties.”

Impressive. “Well, thanks, Eric.”

“No worries. But, Amara?”

“Yeah?”

“That doesn’t give you long. Once Jason gets wind of his brother being back, there’s no telling what he’ll do. He’s still out for revenge.”

“Okay. So, how much time do we have?”

“A week or so—maybe less. I’d advise David be far and gone by then.”

I smiled at David. “Well, at least we can relax for now.”

“Yeah. Enjoy, beautiful girl.”

“Thanks, Eric.”

“Catch ya,” he said, then hung up, leaving David and I in the house, alone, with nearly a week left together before the world would fall apart. I suddenly felt alive.

“How ‘bout that coffee you made me a half hour ago?” he said, crossing his ankles.

“How ‘bout we forget the coffee and just go back to bed.”

“But I’m hungry.”

I sat with my legs on either side of his hips, my hands linked around his neck. “Me too.”

Realisation moved in under his smile. “Oh, right. Blood?”

“Yeah, blood.”

He made a small cut in his neck, wincing a little. “You are incorrigible, Ara-Rose.”

Chapter 10

David breathed heavily on the pillow beside me. I rested my head on my arm and watched him sleep. His face looked so different when he wasn’t trying to be reserved and mature, or hide a thought under a smile.

He’s simple in this form, I thought, more human than I’ve even seen him before.

I lifted my fingertips and placed them just near his lips, feeling the soft, cool air from his nose. He’s amazing. Just the fact that he’s breathing, existing—here, is amazing.

“Morning.” He smiled and turned his face away, without opening his eyes.

“Hi.” I rested my chin on my forearms, still watching him.

“You know, it’s rude to stare at people while they’re sleeping.”

“So? You do it all the time.”

“It’s a vampire thing.”

“Yeah. I know.” I offered him a thought—one of Eric appearing in my bed that morning.

David laughed softly. “Don’t worry, my love, I intend to hunt him down and hurt him for everything he put you through.”

“Oh, really?” I grinned. “What happened to your ‘he never intended any harm’ speech, or whatever it was you said the other day?”

“That hasn’t changed,” David stated. “He didn’t intend any harm, and he may have made peace with you, but, he still has me to answer to.”

“Why? What did he do to you?”

“Disrespect, mistreat and behave carelessly with a girl whom he knew was incredibly important to me.” He rested his arms behind his head. “I’ve already planned what I’m going to do to him.”

“Don’t.” I shuffled away, not in the mood for all this macho-vampire-hierarchy stuff. “Just leave him alone.”

David leaned on his elbow, his face in front of mine, his eyes shocking me with their sparkle. “Ara. I’m not Mike. I’m not going to restrain from ripping the gizzards out of a spineless little shit, just because you tell me to.” He smiled, running his fingers over my jawline, closing my mouth. “He disrespected you, put you in danger, forced himself on you. He only has a limited time now before I get hold of him and tear him apart.”

“Oh, my brave, strong knight,” I said sarcastically, placing my hand over my heart. “Where would I ever be without you?”

“Probably married to Mike.” He laughed conclusively.

“Yeah. With an empty soul and no clue what was missing.”

David smiled then, and rolled onto his back, taking my hand with him. “I love the way you’re always so confused, Ara. It’s very sweet.”

“What do you mean confused?”

“You just said you’d be empty if you didn’t know I existed, but you’re empty because I exist and can’t be with you, and when I could be with you, you said it would be empty without Mike.”

“Well, I’m only eighteen. Give me time. Confusion’s kind of a part of growing up, right? It’s a teen thing.”

“Try being an eternal nineteen-year-old.”

“You don’t seem confused—about anything.”

“Really?” he mused. “Well, you should take a walk inside my head, then.”

“What are you confused about?”