Captivated (Deep in Your Veins 6)

“Well because … you know … you don’t like me.”

His brows snapped together. “When did I say that I don’t like you?”

“You don’t have to say it. It’s easy enough to sense.” But there was really no point to this conversation, was there? “Just have a word with her if you get a chance.”

I shrugged past him and headed into the mansion that was once solely the residence of the prior Grand High Master. Sam and Jared hadn’t wanted to live here; they felt it was too much Antonio’s home. So the ex-ruler, along with some other vampires, now only occupied half the building. The other half was office space.

Inside the restroom, I quickly went into a stall and did my business. I was washing my hands when Ursula sauntered inside, all attitude. Well wasn’t this just excellent.

Glaring at me, she flapped her arms. “I don’t get you.”

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You want him. Max. I see it. So why not be with him or—better still, in my opinion—be clear to him that it isn’t going to happen so he can move forward?”

Uh, what? I puffed out a breath. “Okay, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Her lips flattened. “Max is a good guy. Only a bitch or a fool would play him. Which are you?”

“Play him?” I echoed, drying my hands with paper towels.

“You give off just enough of a signal to make it clear that you want him, but then you act all aloof and chilly toward him. Why? Are you playing hard to get? Do you just get off on being a hot and cold bitch to keep him off-balance? I’m honestly confused.”

“That makes two of us, because I still have no idea what you’re talking about. But you know what, none of this needs to be discussed here and now. This is Alora and Evan’s night.”

I went to walk away, but she slid into my path. I felt my eyelid twitch. If there was one thing I did not do well with, it was having someone try to keep me somewhere I didn’t want to be. It reminded me of a period in my life that I most hated.

Ursula set her hands on her hips. “If you don’t want him, be straight with him and tell him that.”

“I really don’t need to,” I said slowly, like I was speaking to a clueless child. “He isn’t interested in me. Never has been. Ask anyone. They’ll confirm it. If what you’re looking for is a person to blame for why he hasn’t committed to you, you’re looking in the wrong place.”

She snorted. “Oh, I don’t think so. You have him all messed up.”

I frowned. “Are you high?” It would explain a few things. I gave my head a quick shake, absolutely done here. “Let’s just drop it. Like I said, it’s Alora and Evan’s night.”

I made a move to skirt around her but, again, she blocked my path. Feeling my agitation build, I let out a humourless chuckle and flexed my fingers. “You need to step aside. Now.”

“What I need is for you to stop acting like you don’t know what I’m talking about,” she countered, her eyes hard as ice. “You know exactly what I mean. You know exactly what you’re doing to Max. You know it’s cruel and shitty, and that’s why you won’t just admit to it.”

My eyelid twitched again, because now she was all up in my space—another thing I hated. “You need to back up, sweetie. There’s a good girl. Now, I’m going to go enjoy the rest of my evening. I suggest you do the same.”

Again, I went to leave. Again, she got in my face.

Worse, she grabbed my bare arm, digging her nails hard into my skin, and sneered, “Well you can shove your suggestion right up your ass.”

I snapped my hand around her throat, liking the choking sound that rattled in her throat. “You’re pushing me a little too hard.”

Her eyelids flickered. “Let me go.” It was a shaky order.

“But I don’t wanna. Besides, it seems like you want me to stay.” And if I walked out, she’d only follow me to continue this. It was better all round to keep the situation contained here, where it couldn’t taint the party.

She curled both her hands around my arm but didn’t retaliate. Well of course she didn’t. Because my gift? Well, I could transfer a wound from one person to another. If she injured me, I would only slap that injury onto her, and it would hit her three-fold.

Ursula gave me an imperious look that fell flat. “If you hurt me, I will go right to Sam—”

“And get laughed at,” I finished. “Which sounds like it could be fun. How about we go together? We can even link arms and stuff. You can tell her how you tried starting shit at Alora and Evan’s party, and how I tried walking away several times but you kept getting in my way. I’m sure she’ll totally side with you.”