“Stay safe. And don’t let anyone know what you all are up to.”
“I will.”
Allison enters back into the study and holds out her arms to hug Simon. “I’ll miss you,” she says.
I stand back to let them say their goodbyes. I’m no longer jealous when I see the two of them together.
Maybe because Allison now has my last name.
Or maybe it’s because of the heat I saw in her eyes earlier. Either way, I stay quiet as they hug one last time.
“Be careful,” she tells Simon.
Even though she has no idea what he’s up against, she must sense the danger he’s facing. It’s part of her gift, knowing how vampires feel, and I wonder how long it will take for her to develop her powers.
We leave the study and follow Simon outside. I head closer to my Bentley, opening the back door for Allison.
She hesitates but tucks herself into the car without a word. I slide in after her. “Let’s head home, Han.”
He pulls out of the circular drive, and Allison rests her head against the window. Soon, she closes her eyes. I stare down at her, watching the rise and fall of her chest. The musky scent of her blood draws my nose closer to her neck, and I fixate on the vein pulsing beneath her porcelain skin.
I’d give anything to feed from her.
Right before she falls asleep, she whispers, “Can you read my mind?”
I wish I could. I wish I knew every thought running through her beautiful head.
But even I’m not that powerful.
Over the next forty-five minutes, Han winds through the dark roads, cruising up the mountains to my home. It’s an eighteenth century castle that has been updated with all the modern amenities I’ve grown to love over the years.
As soon as Han pulls into the drive, I wake Allison.
“Honey, we’re home,” I say a bit sarcastically, but feeling a pang in my chest after saying it.
She stirs, rubbing at her eyes as she opens them. “Wow,” she says as soon as she glances out the car window. “It’s just… wow.”
“I know,” I tell her, exiting the car and then reaching down a hand so I can help her out.
I lead her up the steps to my home.
To our new home.
Ten
Allison
* * *
Now I’m really in a fairytale. This rustic castle has all the history of twenty libraries stacked on top of each other, and as much charm as a zillion romance novels. The monstrous castle, with stone walls, shoots straight up to the heavens above, a conical-shaped spire on each end. There’s four altogether, and it looks medieval, but not as scary. Light pours from the long, slender clerestory windows, illuminating the castle for me to get a good view, and I smile at Draven as we walk inside.
He leads me into a formal living room with tall white walls and a travertine covered stone fireplace.
“You must like the colors black and red.” I try to take in the room all at once, looking at the vintage decor. Somehow, it all looks new and clean.
“You can redecorate if you don’t like it.”
I shake my head. “No, I… love it. Besides, I won’t be staying here that long.”