“Yeah, I’m a little curious about that, myself,” muttered Nathan.
She gave us both a bewildered look. “Oh, for the love of God! I saved Duncan’s life! That was the only reason we bonded.”
I scowled at her. “What about the two times before he was injured?”
She threw her head back and laughed. “You’re unbelievable,” she said. “You’re acting like a jealous innocent virgin, yet you’re stringing Duncan AND Ethan around. You of all people shouldn’t be pointing fingers.”
“This isn’t getting us anywhere,” interrupted Duncan, his eyes filling with anger. “We came here today to find out if you know what happened to Susan.”
“To be truthful, we really don’t. Have you asked Ethan?” replied Caleb.
I shook my head. “No. But I doubt very highly that it was him.”
Caleb frowned. “Why?”
I took a deep breath. “Because we were together, until early this morning.”
“As I was saying…” said Celeste, under her breath.
I stole a glance at Duncan and could see his anger. I felt horrible, especially now that I was beginning to realize how much he still cared for me. I decided to change the subject.
“Who and what is Faye?” I asked.
Caleb turned back to me. “Why?”
“Because she was with Ethan this morning at the Ruth’s Diner.”
“Stay away from her,” said Caleb. “She’s very dangerous.”
“What is she?” I repeated. “Duncan said she’s some kind of shape-shifter?”
Caleb nodded. “She has the power to change form as well as manipulate people. Not only is she a shape-shifter, but she also feeds on humans. I’m not talking just the blood, either.”
I grimaced. “What’s going on between her and Ethan?” I asked.
Celeste smiled. “Probably just sex. He’s a very promiscuous guy, Nikki. I could have told you that from the beginning.”
The pot calling the kettle black, I thought.
Just then, another young guy entered the sitting room. He was tall with longish, sandy blonde hair and bright green eyes. He also looked like he’d just gotten out of bed and wore nothing but a pair of black velour drawstring pants.
What was with all the hot vampires?
“What’s going on here?” he asked Caleb, “A party, mate? And I wasn’t even invited?”
I recognized the Australian accent and knew right away; it had to be Drake, the guy Susan had gone out with a while back. Looking at his chiseled muscles and sexy grin, I totally understood how she’d been drawn to him.
Caleb cleared his throat. “Friends of Celeste’s. They were just leaving.”
“Oh, no! Don’t leave on my account,” he smiled, staring at me with interest. “I just blew into town and would love a little fresh company.”
“Did you hear about Susan?” I blurted out.
His eyebrows shot up. “Susan?” he asked, studying my face.
“Yeah, the waitress you were talking to in the diner last night?” snapped Nathan. “The one you were flirting with?”
Drake frowned. “I wasn’t in any diner last night, sorry, cobber.”
My brother scowled. “The name is Nathan and yes, I did see you last night talking to Susan. Right before she was murdered.”
Drake’s face darkened. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. I just got into town early this morning.”
“Bullshit,” said Nathan.
Drake stepped forward until he was in Nathan’s face. “You callin’ me a liar, cobber?”
“I guess I am,” snapped my brother, his jaw clenched. “Fucker.”
Celeste got between them. “Okay, that’s enough. Cool your jets.”
“I have to agree,” said Caleb. “There isn’t time for this, and Nathan,” he smiled, “I wouldn’t start picking any more fights with Roamers. Your mother would kill me if I let anything bad happen to you.”
Duncan stepped forward and patted Nathan on the back. “Let’s get out of here, come on. They’re not going to give up one of their own. This was a wasted trip.”
Although they were both still staring at each other with obvious rage, Drake and Nathan stepped away from each other.
“This really was a waste of time,” I huffed. “Obviously, nobody here is going to admit to anything.”
Drake, who seemed to have already forgotten his beef with Nathan, sidled up to me and smiled. “I’ll admit one thing, Ethan has very good taste.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, staring at his amused expression.
“When he thought you were in danger, he dropped everything to come back here to Shore Lake. Christ, you were all the bloke talked about in New York City. It was getting bloody annoying,” he said, touching a strand of my hair. “But now,” he smiled. “I guess I can understand his interest.”
Nathan grabbed my arm and pulled me away. “Okay, enough. Let’s get the hell out of here.”