I didn’t know what Devlin was cooking in the kitchen, but the second I left the bedroom, the most delicious aroma hit me. A quick breath told me bacon was definitely on the menu, along with something cooking in the toaster.
“I’ve forgotten how much I love hanging out with you.” I grinned, sitting on the vacant stool at the counter. I peered forward at the crackling frying pan and nodded. It was just as I thought, bacon strips and a fluffy heap of scrambled eggs. The toaster popped behind Devlin, revealing two perfectly browned slices of bread. I was going to dine well this morning.
“I know you just love me for my cooking.” He teased and placed a clean plate with silverware in front of me. “And they say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach!”
He began dishing out breakfast and the first mouthful resulted in a loud moan of satisfaction. “I would totally marry you if I didn’t think I’d gain a thousand pounds from your spoiling me. These are amazing!” Flavor exploded in my mouth, eliciting another happy groan.
I took a small sip on the orange juice by my plate. “Wow, freshly squeezed too! I’m in love, Devlin!” I laughed as I placed my hand over my heart. “Thank you for this.”
“You’re welcome. Did you sleep well?” he casually asked, resting back on the counter.
Images from my dream swept through my mind—blue eyes and heartfelt smile lingered. “I did. So much that I didn’t want to wake up.” Devlin cocked his eyebrows and I shook my head at him. “And no, I don’t want to share.” I could feel my cheeks flush with heat.
His throaty chuckle told me he had a pretty good idea why and I continued eating, while he poured himself a glass of juice.
“Oh gosh, you still drink that stuff?” I pointed at the half empty tomato juice bottle. “You do know that I haven’t been able to stomach it since your prank. You’ve emotionally scarred me for life!” I didn’t bother hiding my revulsion, that day forever embedded into my memory.
“You deserved it and you know it. Besides, I thought it was hilarious.” I wanted to wipe the smug grin off his face.
“Jerk,” I muttered under my breath, glaring as he took a long drink. It all seemed so familiar, even now.
I first met Devlin when I was about ten years old. I’d heard a lot about him, whispered conversations about the vampire Enforcer and I’d seen, firsthand, how the pack swooned over him. So, when my mother invited me to come with her one afternoon when she visited Vivien, I jumped at the opportunity. I’d overheard her telling my father she needed to meet with her friend and the Enforcer, so it was my chance.
I’d never really seen a vampire up-close before. My parents kept me sheltered from pack business, ushering me into my room whenever we had visitors. I took great care with what I wore and brushed my long brown hair until it shone. I wanted to make an impression, to know if he was as dangerous as the gossip said he was.
Disappointment crashed over me when he wasn’t there to greet us at the door. Vivien swept me up into her embrace as I craned my neck to see if I could spot him. I was told to head on outside to check out the garden, and as I passed by the parlor doors, I spotted him. He was every bit as handsome as I’d imagined.
So that’s the vampire Enforcer, I smiled. He was busy studying the frames over the room’s fireplace and I gasped when he looked up. His red eyes were definitely something new, and when our eyes briefly met, he nodded. I was instantly intrigued.
“I won’t be too long, Darcy. As soon as it’s time for refreshments, I’ll send someone out for you and you can visit.” My interest had caught the attention of my mother.
That was the longest hour of my young life. I usually enjoyed roaming through Vivien’s estate, discovering all the new flowers she had planted for the different seasons. I especially loved exploring the herb patch she had, trying to guess what she used each one for. Sometimes one of Vivien’s coven members would walk with me and tell me stories but today I was all alone. It made each minute drag by endlessly.
I practically ran back into the large manor when I was heard my name being called. There were a million and one questions swirling around in my mind, and each one involved Devlin. Everyone was seated around the guest dining table and my excitement was almost palpable at sitting directly opposite him.
“Darcy, this is Devlin.” My mother introduced us and my young heart fluttered at his beautiful smile.
“Pleased to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you,” I gushed, blushing when everyone laughed at my enthusiasm.
“Well, I hope it’s all good.” Devlin winked.
“Oh yes, you’re pretty famous.” A sharp glare from my mother silenced me.
Our small conversation was drawn away by the serving of food and I sat in fascination, listening to the snippets of discussion. I didn’t understand a lot of what was being said, but I loved the way Devlin’s voice sounded. My crush was developing as each moment passed.
I couldn’t stop staring, watching the way he talked with his hands and the fact I’d yet to see him take a bite from his plate. When the servers were in front of him, he’d helped himself to the thinly sliced roast beef. He’d even poured some thick brown gravy over it, but it remained untouched.
“Don’t you like your food?” I asked when I couldn’t stand the suspense any longer. He’d pushed it around a few times and at one point even cut a small portion off. Earlier, when Anne and I had talked about my meeting him, we’d debated over whether vampires ate. I didn’t want to go home without this vital piece of information.
“Darcy!” My mother exclaimed, briskly shaking her head.
“It’s okay, Lynn.” Devlin intervened. “I’m sure the food is delicious. I guess I don’t have much of an appetite right now.” I took it as code for ‘this isn’t my preferred meal’ and barely concealed my cringe when his gaze rested briefly on my neck.
My shudder wasn’t missed by his observant eye and he chuckled softly as he beckoned for the nearby staff member. He whispered something into the person’s ear before they hurried away. He gave me a cheeky wink and I felt my face flush. I could definitely understand now why he seemed to have a legion of swooning followers. He was a flirt.
“Your mother tells me you’ve never met a vampire before. I’m flattered to be your first.” His hand played with the empty wine glass in front of him, rolling the stem between his fingertips. He looked so relaxed, while I was a bundle of nervous energy. He broke eye contact with me long enough to offer a ‘thank you’, when the server returned with his request.
I gasped out loud, my eyes wide, horrified. The server gave me a curious glance before continuing to pour Devlin a drink, a very red, very thick liquid that I just knew was blood. Reality hit me hard. I was sitting at the table with a vampire. One that was now draining his glass in one long, gulp. He didn’t even sip it. One moment his glass was full and now it rested back on the table, a few droplets left inside.
My heart pounded in my ears. My throat was instantly dry and I couldn’t get rid of my sweaty palms. I let out a strangled groan when the server poured Devlin another. I couldn’t tear my focus away from the way he tipped back the glass, his throat moving as he swallowed, or the flick of his tongue capturing a stray droplet. He enjoyed every last bit of the drink and I was confused when the table suddenly burst into laughter.
“Was that really necessary?” Vivien chuckled, my mother joining in. I stared at them, and then back at Devlin, who was now wearing a large grin.
“You do know you’ve probably traumatized her. Look!” It was then that I realized how rigidly I’d been sitting, my hands wrapped protectively around my neck. “Honey, it’s okay.”
“You’re fine with him drinking blood in front of you?” My question only made everyone explode into more hilarity.
“You best answer, Devlin,” Vivien deferred, shaking her head and gesturing toward me. “You’ve terrified her.”
I stared at him and caught his regret. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. See?” He held up the glass and slanted it toward me. “It looks like blood, but it’s really tomato juice. I was just teasing and didn’t mean to shock you.” He came around the table and kneeled down beside me. “Can you forgive me?”
I’ll never forget the sight of seeing a strong vampire at my feet, earnestly looking up and apologizing. “So it was just a joke?” I whispered.
“It was and a poor one at that. I sometimes forget not everyone gets my humor.” He took hold of my hand and kissed the back. “To make up for it, I’ll owe you one favor of your choice. Deal?”
The suggestion definitely appealed to my young heart. I could just imagine seeing Tommy’s face the next time he tried to bully me and Devlin showing up to defend me. I really liked the idea and I grinned.
“Deal!” I giggled loudly now, the shock wearing off. “It really was funny, though. I was trying to think of ways to convince you my blood wouldn’t taste good.”
“What, a sweet girl like you? Oh I don’t know . . .” He squeezed my fingers when I tried to pull away. “Darcy, I don’t ever drink from those I consider friends. We are friends, aren’t we?”
I dropped his hand and stuck it out to shake. “You bet.”
“Something tells me this will be one of my favorite friendships. Thank you for forgiving a foolish vampire.” He smiled and I answered him by throwing my arms around his neck. He encircled his large arms around my small body and an accord was struck.
Our relationship would grow stronger and stronger after that day, becoming one of the most influential and cherished for both of us.
“You know, I never did claim that favor you promised.” I laughed, a fork full of egg hovering above my mouth. “So you still owe me. I wonder what I could make you do. Something to equal the pain and suffering you caused me.” I dropped the utensil and placed my hand over my heart. “Forever wounded, Devlin. To this day!”
He tossed a crumpled napkin at me and I easily dodged it. “You don’t think this is enough?”
“Heck no,” I exclaimed. Picking up the last piece of bacon, I chewed on it thoughtfully. “Don’t worry. I’ll try not to make you squirm . . . much.”
He rolled his eyes at me, draining the glass before putting it in the stainless steel sink. “Still as dramatic as the first day I met you. Glad to see some things never change.”
“Yep, that’s me. I’m consistent and you love it.” I followed him over to the basin and placed my used silverware in with his. “I’ll do dishes seeing that you cooked. It’s the least I can do.”
“You sure you don’t want to use your favor? Conserve your strength?” Devlin reached around and turned on the faucet. I slapped his hand away and shooed him from the area.
“Nope, you don’t get off that easy.” Squirting dish soap into the quick filling sink, I began cleaning. “Tell me, did you ever pull that stunt with anyone else?”
The twinkle in his eyes and large grin was all the answer I needed. He cocked his eyebrows, folding his arms over his chest as he leaned against the now cleared counter.
“Who?” I pressed, needing to know I wasn’t the only person he’d pranked like that.
“It was another young vampire. If I thought your reaction was priceless, Vlad’s was hysterical. I just wanted to tease you. With him, it was personal.” He shook his head and I tried to picture the how it happened.
“Did you scar him as well?” Devlin’s fangs flashed as he grinned. “See? You’re leaving behind a traumatized string of victims.” I flicked a heap of suds at him.
“Hey, I just wanted a fond memory of his first taste of blood, that’s all. I just wish I’d videotaped it.”
“You’re horrible. Poor Vlad.”
“Poor me, he’s a pain in my ass.” From the sound of it, the vampire drove him crazy but there was no hiding the affection in his voice. “Anyway, it was all in a day’s work.”
I snorted. “And we all know how much you love what you do.”
“True.” He chuckled.
“Speaking of which, you sure it’s okay for you to be here with me? I can’t imagine being an Enforcer is something you can put on pause. Won’t the King be upset?” I rinsed off my plate and laid it out to dry.
“I’m exactly where I need to be, Darcy. Nothing is more important.” The sincerity in his tone made me turn around. “And Zane would agree, wholeheartedly. There are others who can pick up the slack, if needed.”
“But . . .” I hated the thought of Devlin being needed elsewhere and being stuck here with me. I was grateful he was, his presence made the whole situation bearable but I knew how much everyone relied on him. He growled in response and I laughed. “Did you seriously just growl?”
“Quit being stubborn and trust me. Now, finish up with the dishes so we can figure out what’s happening today. I’m assuming you’ll have the second trial.”
“You assume correctly.” The new voice in the room answered. Lakhesis stood patiently at the suite’s entryway with her hands hanging gracefully by her side. “It is time again, young Darcy.”
Pulling the sink plug, I dried my hands quickly and gave Devlin a brief hug. “Wish me luck!”
He returned my embrace, his strong arms holding me for a moment before releasing me. “Just keep calm and focused. You’ll do well.”
I nodded and took a deep breath. “Got it.” Approaching the Moirai, I offered her my hand as a signal that I was ready to be transported to wherever they had planned. Hopefully, whatever it was would be similar to the last one, but something whispered I shouldn’t bank on it.
My gut told me it would be harder.
