Chapter 10
The werewolves arrived that morning. The war was off, which was great because my pack seemed more interested in raiding our kitchen than fighting. The vampires would arrive tonight.
Bliss was taken into custody by her own people, which I thought was horse pucky until Finnegan told me what they’d probably do to her. It wasn’t pretty, but at least she’d live. Unlike Sunny.
That left Chi-Chi the Chihuahua at loose ends. I offered to take her in if she was willing to give up life on Mysteria Lane. From her enthusiastic wriggling, I figured she was up for the challenge.
We retreated back to the Duke house to wait for representatives from the Vampire Council. Nina sent her chef over to help out, which was pretty nice of her, all things considered.
He’d loaded the granite countertops with meat pies, steak tartar and roasted venison. I slipped a bite to Chi-Chi and wondered if I should break it to the cook that we did eat other things besides meat. You know what, though? The guy looked happy. He was actually getting to cook for once, so I left him to it.
Tia had skipped her husband’s pill that morning and had reported no results yet. She planned to sit with him all day, to see if she could detect a change.
I’d spent as much time as I could that morning interrogating Francine and Nina, just to make sure there wasn’t anything we’d missed. Nina had been telling the truth all along. Good for her. And it turned out Francine was bald as a bat under that expensive brunette wig.
I insisted she remove it for the remainder of our questioning.
None of the residents of Mysteria Lane would be any wiser. But I’d sure enjoyed it.
I managed a quick “hello” with Lucien when he woke up for the evening. I made sure to show him exactly why I was so glad we’d survived the night before. He returned the favor.
Twice.
I love it when the Vampire Council runs late.
But they eventually arrived. More’s the pity. And went into closed meetings with Finnegan and our pack elders.
The pack used it as an excuse to enjoy an eighteenth course, courtesy of Nina’s chef. I swear if he ever wanted to leave her, he’d have his choice of about thirty slavering Topanga Pack members, ready to bow at his command.
Good food could do that to a wolf.
Vinny plucked a beef skewer off a silver tray and leaned up against the counter next to me. “Tia’s husband woke up.”
I smiled. “Fantastic. When?”
“About ten minutes ago. She skipped his evening meds. I helped her prop him up enough for a drink.”
“Good for her.”
“I’ll say. They’re even louder than you two.”
“Oh, shut up.”
“I ran like a girl.”
I smacked him on the arm, not really meaning it. I wished Lucien would get back soon. No telling how much time we’d have before he had to be on to his next assignment.
The mere thought of it made my stomach hollow.
Suck it up, McPhee.
I’d known this moment would come. I couldn’t have Lucien forever, even if I wanted it.
And boy, did I want it.
The Vampire Council and the wolf elders made it back to the house alive, which was a good sign.
Finnegan slapped me on the back so hard he almost knocked the wind out of me. “The war is off,” he announced to the crowd at large. “Thanks to your hard work,” he added under his breath.
Sure. Nothing like accolades for a job well done.
Oh, who was I kidding? I didn’t need praise. I had a happy ending.
At least until, “Hi, Lucien.” The corners of my mouth turned up as he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me on the head.
We ignored the catcalls from my pack mates.
Yeah, yeah.
McPhee was smiling. McPhee was smitten.
McPhee was in love.
Damn it all.
I vowed to keep my pride. I’d let him go when the time came. I just hoped it wouldn’t be tonight.
“Heather,” he said into my hair, “we need to talk.”
Damn.
I felt my smile falter. “Sure. Whatever you say.”
He led me out of the packed kitchen and upstairs to his room.
Hoo-boy. To be dumped in the same spot where we’d made love this evening. I could hardly wait. Then again, maybe this was for the best. I’d know it was over. We’d make a clean break. I could do this.
I let out a hard breath.
This was worse than preparing for a fight.
“Heather.” Lucien held my hand, his expression earnest. Curse him and his amazing body and his gorgeous lips and the way he made me feel hot even now when I knew he was about to hightail it out of town.
“Look,” I said, unable to stand it. “I know you have to leave. You said it before we ever got involved.”
It wasn’t his fault.
It was mine for being stupid enough to fall for him.
“I do have to leave,” he said, in that same infuriatingly calm tone.
I was so tempted to use my truth powers on him. My chin lowered and I stopped myself. What was the point? I already knew he was heading out for the next assignment.
Damn the man. Would it kill him to be a little upset about this? Meanwhile my insides felt like they’d turned to glue.
“I’m heading down to New Orleans,” he said, oblivious. “We’re looking into a coven of voodoo mambos turned vampire.”
“Sounds lovely,” I said, just trying to make it through the conversation with my pride intact. In a second, I was going to cry.
He caressed my cheek, which made it worse.
Could we just get to the dumping part?
“It will be amazing,” he said.
“I’m sure,” I agreed.
“If you join me,” he added.
“What?”
He looked vulnerable all of a sudden. “I could use a were who can make people tell the truth.”
Was he actually saying what I thought he was saying? “I’m not even sure it works on vampires.”
“Ask me if I care.”
I couldn’t leave with him. I didn’t quite know why, but I knew there was a reason it had never occurred to me. “You can do this on your own,” I said, making complete sense.
“It wouldn’t be half as much fun,” he said playfully.
Maybe so, but, “My pack needs me.”
“You can fly back home if they do.”
I tangled my hands in my lap. “Finnegan would never let me go.”
He untangled them. “I made it part of our negotiations this evening.”
“So you knew—”
“I think I’ve known all along.” He brushed his lips over mine. “Go with me, Heather. Let’s see where this leads.”
I pulled back, but not so far as to unwrap my hands from his. “It can’t be this easy,” I said, trying to reason with him.
Nothing in my life had ever been this easy.
It could be amazing.
“Heather?” he asked, waiting for my answer.
He wasn’t going to beg. I liked that in a vampire. Oh my God, was I actually considering this?
“Voodoo vampires, huh?” I asked. It could be interesting. And I’d never been to New Orleans.
“If I go”—I ran a finger down his chest—“will I get to sleep next to you?”
He pulled me closer. “Yes.”
A smile tickled the edges of my lips. “Kiss you?”
His voice grew husky. “I hope.”
“Would I have to let you bite me?” I hoped.
He nibbled kisses along the soft spot in front of my ear. “If you’re lucky.”
I tilted his chin my way for a long, lingering kiss.
“Okay,” I said, before I lost all control and jumped headlong into bed with him. “I’ll go to New Orleans.”
“Ha!” He let out a very unvampirish whoop before tackling me back onto the bed.
“But I have a few rules,” I said, wriggling against him. Anticipating what was to come.
“I can’t wait,” he said, propped above me.
“I will not wear high heels.”
“Done.”
“I absolutely refuse to do any more breaking and entering.”
“Prude.”
He kissed his way down my neck until I almost forgot rule number three. “And,” I said, running my fingers through his thick, blond hair, “I will not fall in love with you.”
I could feel him smile against my neck. “We’ll see.”