Page 10 of Tempting the Dhampir

“I mean…”

The girls are all talking over each other, but the sentiment is the same. None of us are following this guy anywhere.

The moment the noise tapers down to a more normal level, the curtain of leaves parts, and a set of curved horns bursts through. Then another set of horns on a being with extended wings appears. Different types of monsters keep coming through until everyone is gathered on our side of the clearing.

One of the women screams. Most, though, are stunned into silence as their eyes stay riveted to the scene. Hands shoot to cover mouths, one or two of the women take a step back, but Natalie quirks her head, giving a certain set of horns a curious perusal.

Everett places himself in front of me again, partially blocking me from the monsters’ view.

When everyone freezes, he turns his head and whispers to me, “Oh, fuck. Shit just got interesting, don’t you think, sparkles?”

Chapter five

Everett

My friends smash through the barrier, their boisterous mood propelling them forward. I instinctively step in front of Sadie in an effort to protect her—from what, I’m not quite sure. My friends might look intimidating, but they’re really kind guys.

When they catch sight of the human females, they immediately come to a halt. The sight of their brows shooting up into their hairlines and jaws practically hitting the floor brings me a peculiar sense of enjoyment.

The females quiet down instantly. A tense stare-down commences with no one bold enough to make a move quite yet, each too nervous to startle the other.

Two opposing groups of roughly similar numbers, except vastly different in size and species, squaring off—nothing weird about that.

“Now it looks like a party,” I say loudly into the clearing, attempting to break the ice.

Sadie turns to me and whispers, “If I pinkie promise I won’t say anything, can I just like… go?”

Oh, sweet Sadie, if only you were so lucky. Bertie’s in charge here, and that means he’s probably concocted a plan already and has two contingency plans ready to go. None of them would include turning away and pretending this didn’t happen.

Bertie steps forward, hands up and palms facing outward—the universal sign for “I come in peace”—and addresses the women first.

“I apologize for the abrupt appearance of my brethren. Please do not fret. Though their monstrous appearance may startle you at first glance, I can assure you they mean you no harm. I can attest to the sound character of each.”

I wish he didn’t sound like he was in the middle of a council meeting with a bunch of elves with carrots shoved up their butts—and not in the fun way. He might be scaring the women more with his fancy speech than Harvey’s or Jasper’s horns are.

I try to smooth things over. “Ladies, what my dear friend Bertie is trying to say is that we’re all cool, despite some looking like monsters. Which we are, but I promise you’re safe with us. I think we just need to figure out how you were able to get on the island when there were things in place to deter you,” I calmly translate into normal speak.

I look over to Bertie, and he confirms with a stiff nod. With the solemn set to his mouth and his hands clasped behind his back, he’s unintentionally doing a fine imitation of his father.

“Boys, how about heading up to the house ahead of the ladies? Put on some dry clothes, don your rings, and prepare some refreshments. Bertie and I can escort the ladies,” I tell the others, imploring them with my eyes to be cool and not freak the women out any more than they already have.

“You heard him, guys. Let’s get going,” Edmond encourages in an unperturbed tone, practically herding them with his massive stone arms spread wide, tail flicking behind him, belying his calm acceptance of the situation.

I can appreciate that he tucked his wings closer to his body from their full spread once he realized there was no threat.

While the guys make their exit, my eyes can’t help but draw back to Sadie. I wonder what she’s making of all my friends. Is she scared of them? Attracted to them? The thought is like a fist right to my solar plexus.

I stick my elbow out toward Sadie and incline my head. “Milady.”

She furrows her brows, eyes darting about, then tentatively reaches out a hand and places it in the crook of my elbow.

“This is weird. I don’t know what’s happening, but I’m just going to say fuck it and hope for the best. You better not be in some type of cult or murder me,” she adds in a completely flat tone.

“It disturbs me that murder was second in that sentence. But I can vow that no murdering will be happening tonight.”

Sadie stares up at me, searching for something in my face. I try to meet her eyes with all the sincerity that I feel.

Apparently happy with what she finds, she shrugs, glances over her shoulder, and calls, “Okay, ladies, let’s move the party up to the house. No murders on the horizon.”

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