“Gee, you really know how to charm the ladies,” I said, twirling a lock of inky-black hair. “Before you get excited, I should tell you that I’m not entirely Vampire. I’m…” I hesitated. There was no reason to believe Viktor wasn’t serious about his offer, and that meant coming clean. “I’m a crossbreed.”
Viktor leaned forward, arms resting on his knees. “A cross between what?”
I’d never told anyone my secret outside of my victims. I could only guess how they were going to react based on my previous experiences.
“A Vampire and a Mage.”
“Are you mental?” Christian exclaimed. “Viktor, you can’t take her seriously. Such a thing doesn’t exist. Once you’re a Vampire, a Mage can’t put his light into you and change you over. It doesn’t work the other way either. She’s touched in the head.”
I uncrossed my legs and rested my hands on the armrests of the chair, smiling up at him with my eyes. I’d finally found the one thing that annoyed him.
Me.
“Are you telling me that you’ve never once heard of a crossbreed or met someone who doesn’t fit the mold?” I asked.
He stroked his beard and averted his eyes, implying that he had. “Where’s your maker?”
“My fangdaddy split the day I was born.” I turned my attention back to Viktor. “I can sit in this room if you want me to, but I don’t need sleep. I don’t think I could go forever without it—maybe a week. The Mage side of me still likes to snooze. Anyhow, there’s no point in my staying here. I’m sure there’s a place up the road where I can get a room.”
Viktor stood up, making a fist for emphasis. “Absolutely not. This isn’t just a job, Raven. It’s a way of life. We live together, and that’s final. Until I’ve made up my mind whether or not you’ll fit in with the group, you’ll stay here. If you don’t like it, I can show you the door.”
Christian folded his arms and turned to Viktor. “She’s bluffing. She’s not a Vampire.”
“Really, are you still stuck on that?” I rose to my feet and confronted him.
Christian’s fangs slid down, and we faced off like two enemies. “I think you’re confusing Vampires with Chitahs.”
“I’m not a Chitah. Has anyone ever told you that you’re a handful?”
His head tipped to the side, and he gave me a crooked smile. “Funny. Women seem to think that I’m more of a mouthful.”
“I wouldn’t be so cocky if I were you. Vampires have always been the easiest to kill, contrary to popular belief.”
Viktor chuckled and clapped his hand on Christian’s shoulder. “I’ll let you two get better acquainted. I have business matters to attend to. Raven, we’ll talk more later.”
Neither Christian nor I took our eyes off each other as Viktor left the room.
When the door closed, I lowered my gaze. “Let’s just get one thing straight: I don’t care for Vampires. Don’t get any ideas about knocking on my door in the middle of the night for some bonding time with my jugular.”
He put his hands on his hips and retracted his fangs. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m a man with taste.”
“B negative, I’m sure.”
“I bet your maker will have second thoughts before making another female. Perhaps he should have waited until your cycle was over as you seem to be afflicted with eternal PMS.”
“Get out.”
He smirked, arching a sardonic brow as if he demanded the final word. “Unless you like cuddling with statues, follow me, lass.”
I followed behind him, unruffled by his remarks. Vampires were often brash and spoke freely, a personality trait I’d grown accustomed to from an early age. Hopefully my room would have chairs made from the right kind of wood that would paralyze a Vampire, often referred to as impalement wood. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than enjoying a meal in bed while he lay frozen on the floor, forced to listen to my every thought.
I chuckled at the idea.
“Something funny?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder at me.
Refrain, Raven. Refrain. “Nothing at all. I just had a tickle in my throat.”
The study was located on the first floor, and we took a different flight of stairs from the grand one by the front door. I realized the place was so big that it must have several staircases for convenience. A small statue sat in the corner where the banisters joined. I marveled at the detailed artistry as we curved around it and ascended yet another flight. The house was breathtaking, with high ceilings and masterful carvings in the architecture. While the walls and floors were made from various kinds of stone, it wasn’t doom and gloom. The house was regal, luxurious, something out of a fairy tale. Lanterns ran along the walls with unlit candles inside. I couldn’t imagine someone tasked with lighting them all, but at least they wouldn’t have to worry about burning the place down since almost everything was made from stone and iron.