Page 32 of Midnight Whispers
“No.”
I can sense the questions bubbling beneath her surface. She bites her bottom lip and my dick hardens at the sight of her lip rolling between her teeth.
I clear my throat. “If you ask, I’ll answer.”
Lillia raises an eyebrow. “Anything?”
“Mhmm.”
“You’re a vampire, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I am”
“And Cedar?” I dip my chin in confirmation. “But why are youhere?In Emolyn Cove, I mean.”
“My maker was a founder of this town, many lifetimes ago.”
“And you?”
“Not me.”
She lets out ahumphand furrows her brow.
My eyes register light in the close distance, and I quicken my pace. “Do you need to go to the hospital?”
She shakes her head vehemently. “No. I’m fine. I’ll just take some ibuprofen or something.”
I fight against my desire to heal her. Blood-sharing is averyintimate act and creates an unbreakable bond that I don’t think either of us are ready for. She nestles into my chest, and I inhale her scent deeply, hoping for it to become woven into the coils of my mind.
The road is empty as I carry her across it. I quicken my pace and within a moment we arrive at her cottage. The house is empty, so I enter the back door and cross the kitchen to head toward her room.
Gently, I place her on the bed and go into the bathroom, rummaging through the medicine cabinet and drawers for bandages and things to clean her wound. Once I’ve found everything, I gather it all into my arms and walk back into her bedroom.
“I can do it myself,” Lillia protests sleepily.
“I’m sure you can, but it’s okay to let me help.” I pour some alcohol onto the wound; she winces as it begins to bubble. Wetting a cloth with more alcohol, I gently clean her leg. Once it’s clean and dried off, I wrap the bandage around her leg.
I look up to where her head is resting on her pillow, only to find her sleeping. I want her to be comfortable while she sleeps so I go to her dresser and look for something more comfortable.
First, I check the top drawer, and my body stills when I see my noteandthe portrait of her there. Glancing over my shoulder at her, the moonlight shining down on her face, I release a sigh.
I close the drawer and look in the one below it. I find a sleep shirt and place it on her before I take my place in her armchair. I’m on high alert to attack anyone who may threaten her safety.
The sun is beginningto rise. Her roommate came home but went to her own room. The sound of her insistent snoring now echoes throughout the house. I helped myself to one of the books on Lillia’s bookcase, a very well-loved copy of Dracula.
Ironic.
Lillia’s sleepy voice takes me by surprise when I hear, “There are darknesses in life and there are…”
“Lights, and you are one of the lights, the light of all lights,” I finish the quote, cutting her off and closing the book.
“It’s been one of my favorites since I was a girl.” I look at her over the top of the book.
“Funny.”
“Seriously!” She sits up. “Vampires, fairies, you name it. I’ve always loved fantasy books the best. I was even Team Edward.”
“Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t sparkle.”