Page 52 of After Darkness Falls

A Bad Idea

She should have been grateful. She should have wept with relief. Had she not questioned her decision to leave out of fear? With Mikar by her side, she had no reason to be worried at all.

Chloe doubted that the huntsmen would pay attention to her at all times, but the vampire guard would keep his eye on her. This was a blessing.

But Levi wastellingher what to do, and that ridiculous, childish, belligerent part of her that would not bend to him recoiled against the very notion.

Levi showed no surprise. The corner of his lips hiked up.

"That was a fact. I'm informing you as a courtesy. Mikar and Catherine have their orders and they will not break them."

Chloe willed herself to calm down and act like the reasonable woman she was. Thank you. The answer was yes, please, and thank you.

"Catherine?" she repeated.

Levi's smile grew broader, flashing teeth.

"Yes, Cat Stormhale. You might have seen her around; she studies biochemistry."

Chloe had seen her around. She was a beautiful, willowy loner who never gave anyone the time of day.

"I don't even know her; why would she want to babysit me?"

"She's the best-trained immortal currently available. If you want your pick of the guard, next time warn me before scheduling your little getaway."

Never mind being rational.

"Why would I? As it's apparently escaped your notice, I'm twenty-five, not six. And I don't answer to you, or anyone."

"I've noticed," he replied lightly. "Chloe, do you remember Primrose Hill? Do you want to know how close you were to being part of a murder scene—how those who took out nineteen fully trained witches left just an hour before you arrived?"

She blinked in shock. An hour? She'd planned to get there early. If the communal bathroom at the hostel where she'd crashed upon arriving in England hadn't been busy, shemighthave been there an hour earlier.

That notion made her sick to her stomach. She would have been, could have been, dead.

“I understand your nature will not allow you to submit to me,” Levi said. He understood? That made one of them. “But you need to get it in your head that I'm not trying to dominate you. I'm trying to keep you safe.”

Chloeknewhe was protecting her.

She practically had to force the words out, but finally, she said, "Okay. I'll take Mikar and…Cat." It took more self-control, but finally, she also bit out, "Thank you."

To her surprise, Levi laughed. "I know how hard that was."

"Why?" she asked him. "Why can't I act normally around you? Are you using some sort of vampire mojo or something?"

Doubtful, but she would have liked to think so—because if he wasn't, that meant the problem really was her.

Levi glanced toward Mikar before answering. "Or something. It's a complicated question."

Now, at least, she had a reason to be pissed.

"Oh, come off it. Stop treating me like a damn kid and tell me! If there's something wrong with me, I need to know."

"There's nothing wrong with you," Mikar practically growled. "Nothing," he repeated, for emphasis.

She sighed. They didn't intend to tell her at all. Suddenly exhausted, she said, "Out. Both of you. Take the door, or window, or whatever. I need to take a shower and get ready. Until next time."

Mikar leaped onto the windowsill and jumped down. Levi remained. Of course he did.

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