Blood Magic (After Dark Book 7) by Sarah Bailey (ereader for android txt) 📗

“I’m sorry I didn’t respond, something came up. I’ll be done soon. Did you still want some company?”

“You know it’s like one in the morning, right?”

“Did you forget vampires are only awake at night? You’re going to have to get used to it.”

“I guess I did. I can’t get out the house now though.”

She hadn’t exactly told him what her living situation was.

“No? Shame.”

“You could… No, that’s stupid. We’d get caught.”

He was no stranger to dangerous situations.

“Go on, what were you going to say?”

“We can hang out, but you’d have to come here. My bedroom is on the top floor.”

“No problem. Text me the address.”

“Are you sure? It’s not like I can let you in the door.”

“Dani, just trust me.”

He hung up before she could reply.

Neave won’t care if I leave now. I did just help her get dirt on whoever fucked Gavin over.

§

Jamie tapped on Dani’s window. She tugged the curtains open, staring at him with wide eyes. There was one trait he shared with Gavin. The ability to move through the shadows, although his range was limited in comparison to his brother’s. Dani had a balcony, which made it relatively easy for him to reappear outside her bedroom.

She pulled open the door. She had a pair of pale green silk pyjamas on with a robe around her shoulders, untied at the waist. Her hair flowed down her back in soft waves.

“That was quick,” she said.

“I am a man of many talents.”

She rolled her eyes, stepping back and waving an arm at him. He raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

“You have to invite me in.”

“Oh. Please come in, Jamie.”

He grinned, stepping into her room. She shut the door behind him, closing the curtain again. The walls were a pale blue which matched her bedspread and chaise lounge in the corner. She had several bookshelves filled with old volumes. Beyond that, through a sliding door, he could see a huge sunken bath.

Well, her father certainly spared no expense. I might have to persuade her to let me try that bath out.

“Do you make a habit of letting strange men into your room?”

She spluttered, walking away to the bed, sitting down and curling her legs under her as she leant up against the headboard.

“No. If anyone finds out I had you in here, my father would insist I go live on the royal estate and I’d never have any freedom ever again.”

“We can’t have that.”

“You can sit down, you know.”

He walked towards her, raising his eyebrow.

“On your bed?”

“Well, you can go sit over there if you want.” She pointed at the chaise lounge. “Just more comfortable here.”

“Are you sure I’m not going to try take advantage of you?”

She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. He kicked off his shoes, shrugged out of his jacket and sat down next to her, leaning up against the headboard. She turned to him.

“Well, are you? You should tell me now so I know what to expect.”

He snorted. She always seems to manage to give as good as she gets.

“Not unless you ask me to.”

“It’d be rather taboo. A vampire and a fae.”

“Mmm, yes it would be.”

She looked at her hands, her face flushing. Why do I find her blushing so damn cute? I need to get a grip. We’re friends. I want to know her. There was just something about Dani.

“I’m sorry about my rambling earlier.”

“I’m not. I do understand. Two lost souls, alone in the world. Perhaps now we’re friends, we won’t feel so alone anymore.”

Her light blue eyes caught his, a hint of sadness in them.

“Why are you lonely?”

It had been a long time since anyone asked him such a loaded question. He wasn’t quite sure how to answer it. It wasn’t so much he lacked for company, but he’d been away from the people who knew him the best. As much as he liked to wind up Gavin, they were still family of sorts and Neave had always looked out for him. And yet, neither of them knew his deepest, darkest secrets.

“You can spend your lifetime around people, but still feel alone.”

“How old are you exactly?”

“Seventy six. I was turned at twenty five.”

She shifted, lying down and putting her head on her pillow. She stared up at him with those intense light blue eyes of hers, tucking her hair behind her curved ear.

“That’s young for a vampire, right?”

“Relatively. Will you tell me how the queen died and what the deal is with her daughter? Gav refused to tell me.”

She shrugged, playing with the belt of her robe.

“They both cast a spell at the same time. The queen’s backfired. At least that’s what Theo told Novus. Theo was meant to marry Candace, but she fell in love with Lucifer and argued with her mother over it. Her father is the head of the Grand Coven of witches. Most of the fae didn’t know she was the queen’s daughter until she came of age.”

So, a little bit of a scandal behind it then. Interesting. No wonder Gav doesn’t want to rock the boat with all that crap going on.

“Did you know her?”

“I met her a handful of times. She always seemed quiet and obedient at court, but you can tell when someone’s hiding their true nature. At least, I can.”

He fought against the urge to lie down next to her. Dani’s innocence had him a little captivated. She had so much going on inside that head of hers. He wanted to tear it all out and learn her secrets.

“Like your superpower?”

She laughed. It lit up all her features.

“No, silly. Novus calls it my fae intuition. I guess I understood Candace in a way. Having a