I hadn’t eaten in almost two days since I’d skipped breakfast the morning I was kidnapped. Then again, this was a vampire house. I remembered what Marty used to stock in the refrigerator, and it hadn’t been anything I wanted to sample. I regarded the wooded landscape bleakly. Probably wasn’t a grocery store or restaurant within fifty miles of here, either.
An amused grunt directed my attention back to Vlad. “I have ample food, Leila, and this is Romania. Not the northern wilds of Siberia. We’ll be at my house shortly, and on the way, we’ll pass through a town that has both grocers and restaurants.”
I flushed at his mocking tone, once again reminding myself to watch my thoughts—if I could figure out a way to do that.
“You eat regular food? Marty was never into that. Said it all tasted like clay to him.”
“It does, and I don’t, but I have an abundance of food for the humans who live with me. If they were undernourished, then they wouldn’t be able to feed me or my staff.”
His tone was completely casual, but I was starting to realize that Vlad never said anything by accident. I met his gaze, noting the hint of challenge. He was almost daring me to be offended by his flesh version of a pantry.
“Marty always drank from tightfisted tourists,” I said, arching a brow in answering challenge. “Said it served them right for not tipping after our performance. He never tried to drink from me, of course, because he said that business and food should be kept separate.”
Vlad’s lips curled. “Subtle you’re not. If you’re wondering whether I’m intending to drink from you, don’t play games. Ask.”
“Are you?” I responded at once, adding, “I don’t want you to. I know it won’t kill me or turn me into a vampire, but I’m already an ‘instrument.’ I don’t want to be dinner, too.”
“No, I’m not,” he replied calmly. “Nor will any other vampire while you’re under my protection. Your friend Marty and I agree about keeping food and business alliances separate.”
That was a relief. Maybe staying with Vlad wouldn’t be too different than living with Marty, though hopefully it would be much shorter than the four years Marty and I toured together.
“What did the two of you do?” Vlad asked, lacing his free hand behind his head.
“Traveling circus performers,” I answered, braced for the scorn most people showed upon hearing that.
Nothing changed in his expression. “Clever, with your condition. If anyone noticed your tendency to electrocute people, they would assume it to be a circus trick, and you wouldn’t remain long enough in one place for more serious questions to arise.”
“That’s exactly it,” I said with surprise. If only my dad and my sister could grasp that logic so easily. My job was an embarrassment to them. The last I heard, they told people I was a stage actress.
Vlad shrugged. “Vampires have experience hiding what we are. Ah, here is the town. Beyond it is my home.”
I glanced out the window to see us whizzing by a small town that did indeed look like it had shops and restaurants. With all the snow and the quaint, picturesque architecture, it also could’ve doubled as a snapshot of the mythical Santa’s Village.
“Pretty,” I said, “but I hope your driver doesn’t get pulled over. I doubt the speed limit here is eighty.”
It sounded like Vlad stifled a laugh. “No need to worry.”
I kept looking out the window, seeing large rocks peek up amidst the trees. A shift in balance leaned me farther back into my seat, confirming that the road was getting steeper. Still, the driver didn’t slow down, whipping around the bends and turns with what seemed to be total disregard for life and limb. I glanced at Vlad, but he appeared unconcerned. Of course. He could survive the car careening off a cliff or hitting a tree.
“No need to worry,” Vlad said again with more amusement.
“Oh, I’m glorious,” I replied through gritted teeth. Closing my eyes was probably the best way to get through this.
It might have only been ten minutes before the car came to a stop. To me, it felt like a solid hour. I’d probably sent enough nervous currents into Vlad to power a small locomotive, but he hadn’t let go of my hand. Now, however, he entangled himself from my grasp.
“We’ve arrived.”
I opened my eyes. His body briefly blocked my line of vision, but once he was out of the vehicle, I saw the house we’d stopped at. And stared, my mouth falling open.