Page 28 of Until Forever Comes
“Oh,” I said, taken aback by the idea of leaving den after den, of never setting down roots.
“I own several places,” he said. “I can tell you about them, tell you where they are, and you can choose where we go next. How’s that sound, baby?”
With his voice so soft and his expression so tender, it couldn’t sound anything but good.
“It sounds perfect,” I said as we turned the corner to go into the warehouse. “So, uh, you said you couldn’t live in Kfarkattan until they did some building. What kind of building are you waiting on before you can add it to your rotation?” I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.
“Usually I like to buy land that’ll be used as a cemetery. People don’t tend to build over cemeteries and they’re quiet, especially at night. It’s a good way to stay secluded, even when the surrounding city is full of hustle and bustle.”
I wasn’t sure whether he was making a joke. I mean, I’d heard about vampires living in crypts and coffins, but I figured those were just fables. Miguel’s expression held no hint of humor.
“Youlivein cemeteries?” I asked disbelievingly.
Miguel chuckled. “Yes, I do. But it’s not like what you’re imagining. We can build a really nice, uh, den. It’ll have all the modern amenities.” He paused. “Well, most of the modern amenities. I’d like to limit the windows. There are a few different places plotted out for cemeteries. Do you want to help me choose?”
“Uh, yes, sure.” I wasn’t sure what I’d be able to contribute to any decision making, but I liked that Miguel wanted to include me.
We had entered the warehouse and were walking toward the door leading to the lower level that held Miguel’s bed when we heard footsteps rushing toward us.
“Miguel! Hold up.”
Miguel stopped and I followed his lead, trying to swallow down my fear.
Ted, the vampire from the other night, came into view, a few other vampires behind him. Miguel stepped in front of me, not hiding my presence, but putting his body between me and the other vampires.
Ted’s eyes widened and he moved his gaze from Miguel to me and back again. “I thought you killed the wolf,” he said.
“I thought you were going out hunting,” Miguel snapped back, not addressing Ted’s comment.
“We were.” Ted gulped and looked over his shoulder at the other vampires. There were three of them, and every single one was staring at me with his mouth hanging open. He turned back to Miguel. “We are. I thought you might want to come with us, so we waited for you.”
“I’m fine,” Miguel said. “Go ahead.”
Ted slowly walked toward us. “Miguel, what’s going on? Why is that shifter still here?”
I could see Miguel’s muscles tightening. “Ethan is with me,” he said gruffly.
“Ethan?” Ted asked.
“The shifter,” Miguel clarified. “He’s with me.”
“Well, shit, don’t you know you’re not supposed to name stray dogs?” Ralph, the vampire who had led the attack against my mate, said as he walked into the room and headed straight over to Ted. “That’ll just make you get attached to them.”
My mate clenched his hands into fists and started leaning forward. “Don’t you dare talk about him that way!” he shouted. I put my hand on his shoulder, hoping to stop him from fighting over me. Miguel took in a deep breath, seeming to calm down a fair bit. “I want him out of here,” he said to Ted.
“What do you mean?” Ted asked.
“I mean your asshole friend isn’t welcome," Miguel answered. “Get him out of here today.”
“You can’t tell me where to go,” Ralph scoffed.
Miguel slowly turned his head and glared at the smaller vampire. “I rented this warehouse. Me. Not you, not Ted. I told Ted he could stay here, and I was nice enough to let him bring some friends. My mistake. One I’m going to rectify right away.” It looked like Ralph was going to respond, but Miguel was done with him, which he made clear with his body language when he looked away and addressed Ted again. “I’m going downstairs. If I see him in my space when I come back up, you won’t like the consequences.”
“Miguel, be reasonable,” Ted said desperately. “Sunlight’s in a few hours. How is he supposed to find a place to go this fast?”
“That’s not my problem,” Miguel said as he turned around and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, then began leading us toward the basement door.
“You’re kicking me out because of a dog?” Ralph asked incredulously.
