Page 51 of After Darkness Falls

Gwen and Blair were already waiting in front of the dorm, the former with a duffle bag on the floor and the latter standing next to a hot pink suitcase.

"You guys are early!"

Gwen shook her head. "No, Jack asked us to set up some protective shields around the vans, just in case. He's bringing them over."

Lifting her head, Chloe could indeed see two large gray vehicles driving toward the dorm. To her surprise, they were coming from Night Hill.

Chloe's heart beat just a little faster, and she cursed herself.

Any acknowledgement of Oldcrest’s middle hill never failed to tug her mind toward one of its inhabitants. And she knew that thinking of him at all was a terrible habit.

Levi De Villier.

She hadn't consciously thought about him in a while—during the day, at least. After their last meeting in his tower, she'd decided to stay the hell away from him. The way she acted around him wasn't normal, it wasn't her—and, in all honesty, it scared the shit out of her.

Chloe blamed the drop of witch blood in her veins. That was the only explanation she had for these actions that went against her nature. So, she liked to pretend he didn't exist at all. It worked, most of the time. Oldcrest had enough distractions, and Levi stuck to his tower, his hill, his people.

She'd seen him a time or two in the distance. His unfair perfection struck her each time. So did her reaction to him. Her desire to get closer, to touch him, to practically climb into his skin.

"Right," she said, forcing her gaze away from the vans. "I'll take a shower and grab my bag; catch you in a few."

She ran up the stairs and rushed to her room.

Opening the door, Chloe froze.

He was here. Why was he here? He hadn't entered her room since January, although seven vials of sleeping draughts magically appeared on her nightstand once a week.

Levi was leaning on the beige and red wall, near the open window, next to Mikar.

She concentrated her attention on her stalker-bodyguard. Him, she could deal with.

The vampire was still following her, and Chloe was used to his shadow. He'd become a friend of sorts. Having him nearby was comforting.

"You know, I wish the thing about vampires not being able to enter places uninvited were true."

He laughed. "Sorry, child. Just following orders."

Dammit. Now she had to turn to Levi.

Chloe forced a smile. He definitely wasn't smiling back; instead, his expression was dark and dangerous. And incredibly alluring.

"Hi. Long time, no see."

"Oh, you've seen me," he replied. "You just like to pretend not to."

He'd noticed. Dammit.

"What can I help you with?"

A long second passed, then he talked, his tone even.

"It has come to our attention that you intend to leave the territory. Mikar will be accompanying you."

Chloe narrowed her eyes, blood boiling with a rage that she couldn't quite place.

"No."

24

---