Page 10 of Love Heals
Jared didn't know what to do other than shrug his shoulders. It was the truth, after all, and he wasn't hungry.
"You should go downstairs and eat something. I'll take care of our guest."
Jared hesitated for a short moment, then nodded. He found it hard to trust someone else with Silas, but after what had just happened? He didn’t exactly trust himself either. Silas would be all right with his sister. At least Elena wouldn’t try to take advantage of the vampire…
Decision made, Jared turned toward the stairs and made his way toward the kitchen. The smell of caffeine that wafted his way lured him closer like a siren's call. How long had he been up now? Was his lack of sleep the reason he'd acted so irrationally?
"You look like death warmed over, and you're not even dead," Aldrich's voice greeted him in the dining room. The red-haired vampire always seemed to be hanging around here lately, even though he wasn't part of the family.
As if this family didn’t have enough vampires yet…
Jared didn’t do anything more than grunt in response to Aldrich’s words while walking past him to the kitchen counter where the coffee pot stood. Remy was there too. He had something simmering in a skillet on the stove. Something that smelled like herbs. Jared's stomach gave a painful twinge. Maybe that sandwich hadn't been enough after all.
"Good to see you back among the living," Remy said. "You're in luck. I just filled up the coffee fifteen minutes ago."
"Thank you." Jared prepared a mug for himself and then held it up to his nose. This had to be what heaven smelled like.
"You need to catch some sleep," Remy remarked. "Coffee will only keep you going for so long."
"I can take care of myself," Jared reminded his little brother. Did he really look so bad that his younger siblings needed to lay into him? With the palm of his free hand, he rubbed his temple. Sure, he hadn't been getting much sleep—or food—lately, but he'd had worse days than this.
"I never doubted that you could." Remy turned back to his stove, even though he was evidently not done talking yet. "I just think that we need to be prepared."
"Prepared for what?"
Remy exhaled audibly."Prepared for whatever shit comes our way next. I don't think the vampires are done with us yet, and I don't just mean the ones currently living in this house. Or the ones currently freeloading in this house." He raised his voice a little on that last part, nodding in the direction of the dining room area where Aldrich sat and played with his smart phone.
The vampire looked up and grinned. “Please, you love my company. Besides, Talon is like a brother to me, so I’m basically Nix’s uncle, same as you are!”
Remy shook his head and went back to stirring his sauce or soup or whatever it was. With a glance at Jared he said, "Seriously, think about it, though... Just the fact that we're still living in this house.... and for how long? I keep wondering if I should cancel the lease on my apartment, but I don't know." The rapid movement of his hand made droplets of red sauce spill over the skillet as he spoke. Jared watched him quietly, unsure what to say. He hadn't known that his brother was feeling this restless. Then again, how could he have? He hadn't been paying attention to much but Silas over the past few days.
"This situation isn't going to last forever," he said.
Remy paused, letting his spoon sink."How’s it going to end, though? That’s what worries me."
Aldrich stepped into the kitchen. "Best case scenario, with a lot of dead vampires and not a lot of dead mortals."
Jared turned around to the vampire, wondering. Silas had seemed so convinced that mortals and vampires couldn't be friends, but Aldrich didn't appear to think that way at all. "Why are you rooting for us, in this scenario?" he asked. "Is it out of loyalty to Talon?"
"You think I should rather be loyal to my old coven?" Aldrich gave back.
"I'm trying to understand your motives."
"My motives?" Aldrich's eyes bored into Jared. "What are you accusing me of?"
"I'm not accusing you of anything," Jared backpedaled. Had he been too direct? "I want to know why you’re fighting on our side rather than the vampires'."
"Let me think." Aldrich walked up to the counter and propped his elbows up on it. "Maybe it's the fact that you guys didn't try to order me around for all of my existence? I'm rather enjoying my freedom."
Jared couldn't help but wonder if that was everything. Especially when he considered the way the vampire’s eyes too often lingered on Remy's behind, even though Remy seemed to be oblivious. No, not oblivious. His brother wasn’t stupid. It was much more likely that he simply didn’t care. Not that any of that mattered right now. Jared studied Aldrich closely. "You don't think that you're obligated to side with your race?"
"Race? Please." Aldrich straightened again. "Some vampires may have a misplaced sense of loyalty for their covens, probably because they couldn't hack it on their own, but as far as I'm concerned, those fuckers never did anything for me."
Jared nodded. That was a stance he could respect.
"If you're thinking about the vampire you've been watching over... that one's been brainwashed," Aldrich said as if he knew exactly what was on Jared's mind. "I don't know what your deal with him is, but I'm pretty sure it's a lost cause."
"Don't say that."
