Page 30 of Total Eclipse of the Moon
"What bug?" Something was getting lost in translation. The vampire didn't mean a literal bug nor that she was "in love" with Shane. She wasn't. Maybe infatuation. Maybe lust.
"When you join Shane’s team, he makes the most cynical believe in his truth. He never loses when he puts his mind to a mission. That means you now comprender it’s best not to bet against him."
A chill scattered across her shoulders. "You can drop me off anywhere and I'll take off." The streets looked empty.
"No." Antonio didn't stop. "Shane flew a long way to save you. You will give him a few minutes."
Not tonight. "Can we do this tomorrow? I have plans tonight."
"No."
* * *
Antonio dumpedtwo cloth bags filled with non-refrigerated food on the kitchen counter inside the "safe house" two hours outside of Madrid. The one-story, three-room white stucco abode, surrounded by a few acres of overgrown landscaping, was in desperate need of a power wash and yard care. Dust coated every surface inside. It smelled of mildew from disuse, but after months of being on the run, this was far better than anywhere she’d stayed recently. She was used to no bed, making do with concrete floors in warehouses or alleyways, rarely having a blanket, and often being thoroughly soaked through her clothes. Warm clothes, clean sheets, and a full belly were wonderful when she could get them, but not necessary for survival.
"You’re leaving?" she asked the vampire as she peeked out the windows, seeing no one coming up the drive.No one found me…yet.Cora's spell hadn't worked, which baffled her aunt. She'd agreed to meet Cora in a month to try again.
Her wristband didn’t burn, nor was it glowing. Staying in one place, especially with these two, wasn’t safe for them. If some international corporation with deep pockets was involved, they probably satellite tracked the car. She should move on. Being on her own was better, more controllable. Plus, tonight she needed privacy to talk to her son's ghost.
"I have business to attend to before daylight. I'm not a day walker. You'll stay here and give Shane his due. Talk to him."
Dealing one-on-one with Shane? Bad idea. He’d whittle down her resistance. All it’d take was a few penetrating stares of those honorable eyes or, God forbid, he touched her again. Another kiss, and she’d forget the danger he represented to her. She couldn’t allow him to be this close to her body or her heart. He might’ve tamed the demon within him, but his spirit howled on a frequency she was acutely tuned into. He was completely lycan and unashamedly Shane. Something about the combination called to her soul.
She was afraid.Afraid.This was an emotion she hadn’t allow herself to acknowledge in Puerto Rico, Mexico, or back in the gardens. Was this a new self-awareness? She’d gotten good at burying difficult emotions over the past few decades. Cora would be proud of her for recognizing this for what it was.
"He gets weird when the sun’s about to come up. He’s got a few hours before sunrise and stuff to do," Shane walked in and sat in a chair at the kitchen table. "Then he’s got to go find a bat-friendly hole to hide in."
"Are you a shape shifter?" Her tone softened to one of wonder as she wheeled around to Antonio.
"Now you made her think I can turn into a bat." Without a good-bye, the vampire stalked out the door and disappeared.
"Can he turn into a bat?"
Shane laughed while shaking his head. "Never seen any species change into a smaller animal. Have you?"
Yes.The power was rare, or so Cora informed her.
She ignored the question, wrapping her hand around the strap of her backpack, which she hadn’t set down. "This has all been great and I appreciate the help, but I’ve got to get going."
"No." As if a cloud descended, his brows lowered. He looked as if he just tasted something bad.
Her need to run kicked up higher. "Thank you for the rescue. I truly appreciate it, but I have somewhere to be tonight."
"We have things to discuss. How about some food? We can start with that." His tone sounded diplomatic, but his face reflected a stubborn resolve that this was going to go his way.
"It’s almost midnight."
They stared at each other for countless seconds. Her stomach growled, breaking the silence. He smirked.
She chewed on a hangnail. "I promise we'll talk, but I've really got to do this."
He peeked inside both food bags. "You good with pasta? Looks like it’s our only option. I can whip up a decent marinara from this. This place must have a few spices somewhere."
"I don't want to eat." She adjusted the backpack over her right shoulder and eyed the front door.
"Pasta it is, then. I need food." Shane studied her. "No one will find you here. It’s warded to allow only Antonio and whoever he gives permission to to enter. There’s a strong deter spell on the property for everyone else. About as safe as we can get right now."
"I'm not worried about safety, although they might've tracked us via satellite. Wasn’t like we were careful. Someone could bomb us."
