Page 32 of To Love a Vampire
“Of course,” the hybrid says as he drums his fingers absently against the wooden table.
Raske turns toward his son, Kaino. He and Shane listen closely for what their lord has to say, but his words never leave his mouth.
“I’d like to go as well,” Asher says as he strides up to the end of the table, a pleasant look filling his features. My shoulders tense from the sound of his voice, as if he might tell me he loves me all over again and then disappear the moment he says it. “The community knows Fallon wastakenby a hybrid. Let her explain herself, explain the mystics in the naturally good light we always seem to be in.” He smirks but no one else shares his humor, aside from Gabriel who clasps his friend’s shoulder, the two of them passing a sarcastic look between themselves.
Kaino and Luca look to their father immediately who simply stares at the hybrid as if he’s suggested we all start doing some quiet book clubs at night instead of celebrations.
“Unfortunately, that doesn’t sound like a good idea, Asher. The humans are a touchy breed, their emotions run higher than ours.”
My head turns slowly toward the mystic seated at the head of the table, my narrowed eyes focusing only on him.
“A touchy breed?” I repeat carefully, in an attempt to find a less disparaging meaning.
I wonder if he’d still think we were pathetically emotional if he knew how much his son cared for the werewolf seated next to him. If he knew his daughter hasn’t stopped talking about a redheaded hybrid since he blindly walked into this community. If he knew that I can’t even begin to explain my emotions let alone feel them.
“The human society has just been raised that way, Fallon. I’m not belittling your race.” His warm eyes smile down at me and I force myself not reply.
“As I was saying, the plan has been made. I appreciate your interest but now is not a good time to introduce a hybrid into a human society.”
My fists clench at my sides, beneath the table my hands are little wads of fury.
“Asher’s going. The humans will wrap their tiny minds around my friendship with the hybrid. They’ll understand that genetics don’t decide if someone is good or bad. They’ll see the good in Asher, just like I do.”
The room couldn’t be quieter if we were all dead. Luca’s dark brows are raised so high I wonder if she wishes we were.
I shouldn’t have said all that.
My heart pounds as I look to Asher at the opposite end of the table. The corner of his lips pull up into a hesitant but arrogant smile.
“Then it’s settled.” Asher raises his palms up as if everything is crystal clear now. “The humans will love me as much as your princess does,” he says with a wink, not allowing any room for protest as he strides from the tent.
* * *
It surprises me how close the secret community of mystics is to my camp. Weeks passed when I traveled from the camp to Asher’s grandparents’ house. The mystics are faster than humans. All it took was a quiet statement from Kaino about how much faster it would be if we all ran to the camp.
“I could always carry you,” Declan says to me with a playful smile that gains him glares from everyone in the group.
“Not a chance,” Asher says, stepping between Declan and I as I fasten my backpack around my stomach, my fingers fumble, the clasps falling from my hands when his hard body presses against my side.
“Kaino’s right, though, we’d make better time if you let me help you,” Asher says in a whisper as he takes the clasps from my hands, his fingers brushing against my bare stomach. My shirt is short and reveals soft flesh to him, making my breath catch with every movement of his hands. He buckles my pack around my midsection but his hands slip over my sides, almost holding me against him, but not quite. My palms land on his forearms, but I don’t dare move another inch.
We’re on the outskirts of the community, at the edge of the forest. No one can see us here, other than the three others traveling with us.
“Let me help you,” he says in a gravelly whisper, his mouth pressed against my ear, sending shivers across my skin with every hot breath he takes.
I clear my throat and nod, my heart beating wildly in my chest as my mind fills with inappropriate thoughts. My eyes dart around to the others. Luca’s eyes are wide as she watches us intently with a smile.
Declan starts off without a word, running into the forest in a blur of blonde movement. Asher smirks and I push his shoulder lightly as I roll my eyes. He bites back his amusement as he lifts me in his arms, our eyes meeting once I’m held safely against his strong chest. All humor is gone. His eyes dip to my lips for only a second before he begins running.
I yelp as my hands cling around his neck. My stomach drops with a sense of diving as we run at a speed that I can’t even imagine. I try to focus on the person running next to us but my stomach twists uncomfortably as my eyes strain to see clearly.
I bury my face in his chest, breathing in his warm scent as I wait for the ride to be over. Praying I won’t be sick before we get there.
It takes two long days for us to make it to the camp. I only puked once. It’s something I take pride in admitting. The others don’t consider it an achievement like I do…
“Okay, Declan you know the drill. Stay hidden,” Asher tells him with a smirk.
“Why would I hide when you’re going to be walking around in plain sight?”
