Page 135 of Immortal Bastard

The female nodded, and he recalled she had a gift for telepathy.

She’s reading you, pintura.

Shit—

His hand returned to her thigh. “Take some bread.”

His mate took two rolls and picked at the dough. No one seemed to notice that she wasn’t eating the main course. But when the dishes were passed around the table, he felt obligated to place a small serving of each on Delilah’s plate.

Just move it around with your fork.

She lifted her fork but only stared at the sliced meat and soaked rice.

“This is delicious, Destiny,” Sister Annalise praised.

“Very good,” Brother Adam agreed.

“Do you like it, Christian?” Sister Destiny asked. Her husband should correct her for not addressing him correctly.

“It smells very flavorful. Thank you.” It seemed to escape everyone’s notice that there had not been a prayer. “Shall we say grace?”

The scraping of forks over china silenced. Sister Grace was the first to bow her head. Adam looked to Cain being that he was the head of the house.

“Right,” Cain said, bowing his head. The others silently followed, but Christian did not feel the usual unification he experienced at service. There was disquiet in the hearts of these immortals.

“Amen,” Cain announced, and everyone, save Delilah, continued to eat.

By the end of the meal his mate had a napkin full of meat and a belly full of bread and water. He’d found Sister Grace the most abiding of the group, until she started bickering with Dane. Christian couldn’t imagine why they would invite the boy if the two could not tolerate each other.

They like each other.

He frowned as Delilah’s thought swept through his mind. They haven’t stopped bickering since we sat down. They despise each other.

That’s how they flirt. Trust me. She likes him and he likes her. But Gracie is saving herself for her mate. Oh! Maybe Dane’s her mate.

That would be impossible. He’s a half-breed.

A chair scraped and Sister Grace abruptly stood. “I think I’ll clear the dishes.”

Delilah’s guilt flooded him. Do you think she overheard us.

Christian couldn’t form the concern Delilah felt for such petty drama. He only wanted to leave.

“Really, Christian?” Delilah said, standing and going after Sister Grace.

Brother Cain snickered. “Gotta love a modern woman. She’s a feisty one.”

“I’ll ask you not to speak of my mate.”

“Right.”

The females cleared the table and lingered in the kitchen. He wished Delilah would return so he didn’t feel such pressure to make idle conversation with the males. They were much younger than him and he did not know their interests.

“I have a wagon that needs mending,” he told Adam.

“Of course. Bring it by tomorrow and I’ll take a look.”

The tedious task of crosstalk drained him. Why did Delilah insist they do this? He’d barely spoken to her all night. She could have simply asked to visit with the females again. He’d gladly put any trust issues aside if it meant avoiding such awkwardness in the future.

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