Page 35 of Bitten By Chaos

“Hi,” I said, immediately changing my tone. “Having fun with Julian?”

“Yes!” Her enthusiasm nearly made me laugh. I couldn’t imagine what he was doing with a child. “He’s really good at twenty questions and hide and seek. But I Spy isn’t fair because of his vision.”

“You two should play a game of Twister,” I suggested, imagining Julian stretching into awkward stances with his fresh pressed suit.

My vampire’s face returned, dark promises burning in his expression. “Perhaps Monopoly. Would you like me to come home, love?” He asked the last part softer, concern showing.

“I’m okay,” I promised. “But we do have to talk tonight. Stay with Em until they get back and then we can…hang out.” I winked.

“Don’t pick it up!” Em yelled over Julian’s shoulder. “I found Twister, Uncle Julian.”

The phone clicked off, and I laughed, shaking my head. It sounded like I had a few hours until he was back. And we had to figure out where to go before the morning, or I’d be agreeing to Elsa’s nebulous statements about submitting to her harsh rules and consequences. I had no intention of doing that, and now that I was done dealing with both demons and the fae queen, there was no reason to stay in this stuffy, outdated, gothic nightmare any longer.

But sitting in my room for hours wasn’t possible. Not with the fae power still flowing inside of me. I decided to take a walk. For some reason, instead of going all the way downstairs, I hesitated at the landing on Merlin’s floor.

The memory of the last taste in that vial played on my tongue, and I found myself headed to the end of the hall, stopping at the door to his rooms. I set my palm against the wood, inhaling the intoxicating scent wafting through the space, but forced myself to stay still and simply scent him.

It wasn’t as if I were hungry after feeding on Bres. If anything, I was still high from the power of him. But Merl’s blood had that something about it that was so close to Julian that flashes of us tangled in the bed, feeding on each other sent a jolt of need through me.

My fangs pricked my lip, and I forced them back up. Get ahold of yourself, Char.

Releasing the door, I stood back and took one last long inhale. Smells were free after all. Starting to turn away, I noticed a folded bit of paper on the floor.

Don’t, said Pythia sharply just as I bent to retrieve it. I hesitated, hand outstretched. Then I remembered Em’s words before they hung up the phone. “Don’t pick it up.”

I stood quickly, glaring at the little piece of paper, and wondering what the hell was on it. Then I shook my head and turned to leave.

The door clicked open behind me, and I froze as the scent strengthened, letting me know Merl was behind me in the frame.

“Were you just going to stalk me? Or would you like to join me for dinner after all?” he asked.

I spun around, arms crossed in front of me. “Frankly, I don’t trust you.”

He took a step outside his suite. He was wearing an honest to goodness red velvet smoking jacket and brown corduroy slippers. I nearly laughed.

“What?” He looked down at himself. “You don’t approve of my outfit? This is one of my favorite bits of fashion from the last few centuries. Quite comfortable. And I do love good tobacco on occasion.”

“Have a nice evening,” I said, ready to take my leave.

“I have something you may want to see.”

“Oh? And what’s that?” I asked, forcing myself not to take another step closer now that I realized I’d been doing just that since he opened the door.

“It’s a surprise,” he whispered loudly for show. “The only charge is joining me for dinner.”

“Like I said, I don’t trust you.”

“You have good reason not to. And yet, we clearly enjoy each other’s company.”

“Julian will rip you to shreds if you try anything. That is if I haven’t already.” I was face to face with him now.

“You are a feisty woman. I like that.”

“Don’t call me feisty.” I went to move away, and his hand shot out, catching mine. A zap of electricity sparked where we touched, and we both stared open mouthed at the point of contact.

“Forgive my old fashioned turn of phrase,” Merl said after a moment, meeting my eyes. “Surely you have questions, and I have answers. I’ll offer those as well.”

“Why do you want my company so badly?” I whispered, staring at the pulse point on his throat, visible beside his jacket lapel as the rush of his blood throbbed in my ears.

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