Page 84 of Blood Match

“Stop touching me,” she hisses, her eyes huge and alarmed.

“That’s not what you were saying a minute ago,” I smirk.

The doorknob rattles. “Rowan? Is everything alright? I’m sure I heard you in here.”

“Oh, my fucking God,” Rowan whispers hoarsely, pushing at my chest. “You can’t be here!” She’s right, but her obvious discomfort is amusing me.

“And yet, here I am.” I raise a hand to my mouth and lick my fingertips. Her cheeks turn crimson.

“No! Seriously, Darick. She can’t see you. You have to—”

“Rowan!” The woman’s voice is sharp with concern. “I’m worried. I’m coming in.”

Rowan’s eyes fly wide. “Out! You have to get out. Now!”

Fuck.

It’s a command I can’t ignore; none of my kind can. Without a word, I step into the shadows and disappear.

This isn’t over.

27

Chapter 27

Rowan

Gran tilts her head and looks at me strangely as I open the door.

“Gran!” I say brightly. “I’m so sorry. I was running a bath.”

Oh, my God, I’m going to die.

Gran is silent for a moment, considering this. “Of course, dear.” She knows I’m lying. “May I come in?”

“I…I…” Inadvertently, I glance back to the empty room. Wherever he went, there’s no sign of him now. Though I’m certain I can pick up the faint scent of him.

“Rowan…?”

“Right! Sure! Of course, come on in, Gran,” I babble, stepping aside and letting her pass me. She stops a few feet into the living area.

Oh, God, please don’t let her figure it out.

“I needed to chat to you, dear. Is now a good time?” The way that she says it makes me think she knows that it’s not.

“It’s fine, Gran. I was only going to have a bath and head to bed. Can I get you some tea?”

“That would be nice. Although I won’t stay long. In fact, I hope you won’t either. I want to ask you to join me at a meeting tonight.”

“A meeting?” I pause on my way to the kitchen, looking back at her.

“Yes. A fairly…delicate one.” She walks past me through the door and starts bustling about. Gran’s spent so much time here with me that she knows the place as well as I do. Now she’s filling up the kettle and switching it on.

“The elders of the Coven Conclave have arranged a meeting with the vampire Blood Assembly to discuss recent events. I’d like you to join me.”

I freeze, my hand halfway to grabbing mugs from the cupboard. “Me?” I squeak, nearly knocking a mug down. “Why would you want me there?”

“Because you might provide a unique insight,” she says. “Your connection could give us a better idea of how they think. We could use your insights.”

---