Page 19 of Destined for Shadows
She shook her head. “So many people warned me before we got married, but I didn’t listen because I was in love.”
Bartol had no doubt in his mind that Cori’s ex-husband had hurt her emotionally and physically. He’d been in this world long enough to read all the signs now that he was looking more closely at her. It was impressive how well she’d hidden it before, but he supposed she’d had plenty of time since getting out of that relationship to build up her defenses and put on a mask no one could see past. Many immortals developed such a talent. Bartol didn’t see it with very many humans, though.
“I will kill him for you,” he vowed.
She gave him an ironic look. “Good luck. I already tried that, and it didn’t work out too well.”
He stiffened. “You tried killing him?”
“I thought I succeeded, too—until the other night.” There wasn’t a hint of remorse in her voice as she spoke, only frustration.
“Tell me exactly what happened the last time you saw him.”
Cori went on to tell him how she’d found her ex-husband, Griff, in his home and beat him with an iron poker until she was certain he was dead. Afterward, she’d dumped the body in a remote area.
“I didn’t think for a second that he might still be alive,” she finished.
“Not everyone dies as easily as you might think.”
She studied his face. “You’re not judging me for it?”
“Why would I?” His hand tightened on his flask. “I’ve killed men for far less.”
Cori got up and checked on the meat again, which she deemed finished. She moved everything over to a platter she had waiting next to the grill and turned to face him. “Everything else I prepared is in the kitchen. I can fix you a plate and bring it out here, or you can join me inside.”
He couldn’t go into her home, especially since thedishevnawas starting to lighten his mood. There was a bed and other useful furniture in there that his alcohol-affected mind might get ideas about. “I prefer to eat out here.”
“Okay. Be back in a few.” She hurried up her porch steps.
Cori returned a few minutes later with two plates filled with tantalizing meat, potato salad, and beans. They ate in companionable silence, which Bartol found surprisingly nice. It was as if learning that the human woman had her own dark past gave them a certain kinship. She’d also refrained from asking him about himself. For once, she was giving him the space he needed while still showing a willingness to talk about her past. He knew she’d left a lot of the story out—such as what incident finally drove her to try killing her ex—but it wasn’t something that could be rushed. She would tell him in her own time when she was ready. The hardest part was already out of the way.
After they finished their meal, he stood and looked in the direction of his house. A part of him wanted to stay longer, but he chose to believe the alcohol still affected him. “I must go.”
She nodded, a hint of disappointment in her gaze. “I figured as much.”
“I will patrol outside regularly in case your former husband returns.” He couldn’t give her what she really wanted, but he could do that much.
“Don’t worry about me.” She lifted her chin. “Griff can’t get inside if he’s a vampire, and I won’t leave my house after dark, so I’ll be safe.”
“You cannot even open the door. That would be all he needed to compel you, and that’s assuming he hasn’t gotten strong enough to do it with his voice,” Bartol warned.
A slow smile spread across Cori’s face. “Vampires can’t compel me. At least, not the younger ones, and older immortals have to use a lot of power to make it work.”
Bartol blinked. Very few humans who weren’t sensors had minds that could resist compulsion. “I assume this has been tested before?”
“A few times. Lucas’ brother, Micah, is the only one who has managed it so far, but Melena told me later it took him a couple of tries to make it work.”
Micah was twenty-five hundred years old and quite powerful. He shouldn’t have had any trouble with Cori, which made Bartol even more curious about the woman than before. “Is there any chance your former husband tried to compel you the other night?”
Her brows drew together. “Actually, I think he did. He ordered me to come to him and got really angry when I refused. That’s when he started to attack, and I shot him.”
“Then he knows you can resist him.” Bartol gave her a warning look. “That means he may try other tactics such as forcing a human who is susceptible to his compulsion to break into your home and bring you out. You must be vigilant for anything.”
“I will be fine.” She straightened her shoulders. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“No, I won’t, because I will be watching over you through the night,” he said, then flashed away before she could argue with him further. The damned woman would take his protection whether she wanted it or not.
