“Liv. You can’t do that.”
“Yes, I can. If I can get her to see the true Vampire way, she can be free to be with whomever she chooses. He will still be her sire, but he will be free.”
“Is that not risking he
r development?”
“No. Not if Devon is a factor in her life. She will thrive. I just want her attentions diverted elsewhere.”
“Is that for you to decide?”
“Yes. I told him I would take care of it and I will.”
“Does he know that is what you meant?”
“I’m certain that is what he asked of me. I will do my duty by him,” I say sternly. “Why are you fighting me on this?”
He just looks at me and gives up. “I’m just surprised. I thought he cared for her more than that.”
“Caring for and siring are two very different things,” I say haughtily.
“What if I did choose to sire?” he asks me in earnest. “Would you meddle with that as well?”
“Meddle? I am not meddling. He asked me to deal with it, and I will.” Now I’m pissed, and he knows it.
“Fine, go off and be his hero. I know how much you covet the role,” he smirks.
“I will be your hero as well, one day, my love. As soon as you need me to swoop in, I will be there without fail.” I kiss him and he smiles. “A sire needs to feel wanted, needed,” I add unnecessarily, then I Astral off to CK’s house to swim in solitude and then deal with Jess.
I land in the pool room and admire the décor. I wish I had one of these in my house. I must definitely get someone around to sort it out and soon. Maybe off the gym where it is not easily accessible. There are that many people living in my house now, I am finding it even more difficult for a few minutes just on my own.
I switch clothing from my dress to a swimsuit and dive in. It is fairly shallow but deep enough for a skilled dive. I surface and turn onto my back. I lounge there, floating in the peace for a good few minutes until I feel Sebastian’s presence.
“Go away,” I tell him.
He snickers. “No.”
“I want some peace.”
“Then just pretend I’m not here.”
I do try for a few seconds, but it just isn’t the same with someone watching you. I huff out a breath of exasperation and stand. “You have ruined it.”
His eyes roam over me dripping wet, my tiny bikini clinging to me. “I want to feed,” he says.
“We agreed on three times a week. We only did it yesterday, do you want to use up all of your days at once?”
“That’s for me to worry about. We agreed but didn’t say when, so I think I reserve the right to determine.”
“I’m here to speak to CK,” I say in hopes of deterring him.
“He isn’t here. Do you think that if he was you would still be alone in that pool?”
Fair point. He sees me take that in and slides himself into the pool alongside me. “We agreed and I’m collecting.”
I move to the edge of the pool away from him and climb out. I lie down on the edge and turn my head to the side. He rests his head on his hands on the side and looks at me. Those eyes, the exact color of mine, unnerves me.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN