Part 8 (2/2)

I chewed the inside of my cheek in thought. I hadn't thought about my father. My mother told me he'd bailed on us, plain and simple. I didn't ask any more questions because I didn't care. As for Mr Aleksandrov, why would he lie to me? What would he get out of it?

”Why should I believe a word you say?”

”Because I'm the only one telling you the truth.”

I couldn't help but glance at Eli. He was watching me curiously, apologetically.

”Did you and Ivan lie to me?” I asked quietly.

The vampires s.h.i.+fted in their seats, leaning closer, making sure they didn't miss anything. Ludiia dashed over to Eli and leaned against him, claiming him. The jealousy she forced into my chest distracted me from keeping my eyes solely on him. She was smirking at my frustration.

The territorial feeling that surged through my body felt alien-like. Only Eli De Luca could make me feel things I've never felt before.

”Ruby, you don't want to get into this.” His voice was hard.

”What's the real story?” I asked Lucian, ignoring Eli's comment.

I didn't know if I could trust what Lucian said, but I had a backup plan. Eli wouldn't lie to me now, not after everything we'd been through together.

”Tamzin!” Lucian called.

A tall Indonesian man walked in through a flap in the side of the door. He wasn't like me or Eli, he wasn't even a vampire. He was human. Tamzin's skin was a deep olive; his hair was slicked back, exposing a narrow face and high cheekbones.

”Bring him in.”

”No, don't do this, Lucian. If this goes wrong, you could destroy everything,” Eli shouted.

”Do you think you can order me around? You're nothing more than a lowly guardian. You're disposable, replaceable.” His voice was icy and flat.

All I could get out of my brain were words. Not formed in sentences or anything that made sense. Was he going to bring in my father? Was my dad a vampire? I couldn't help but feel like my brain was short circuiting and it needed rebooting.

”Wait,” I called to Tamzin. He turned to face me. ”I accept.”

”Ruby!” Eli growled at me.

”But on a few conditions.”

”Name it.”

”You do not touch anyone at Sage Sanctum. You do not tell me anything about me until I ask. Any more information and I'm going to have nervous breakdown. Lastly, you give me a week to say goodbye to my friends.”

”And you reinstate me as her guardian angel,” Eli added.

”No.” I panicked.

”I'm not letting you do this alone.”

Everyone else in the room faded away. I wasn't paying attention to them. It was just Eli and I talking now.

”I won't put your life at risk again, please,” I begged.

”I'm not giving you a choice,” Eli said through clenched teeth.

His eyes were filled with frustration, a pleading frustration. I couldn't leave without him and he knew it.

”And Eli is to be reinstated as my guardian angel,” I muttered to Lucian.

Lucian rubbed his index finger across his top lip in thought.

”I may be a vampire, Miss Moore, but I still stand strongly against Guardian Angel and G.o.d-slash-G.o.ddess relations.h.i.+ps.”

”There is no relations.h.i.+p between Mr De Luca and I.”

”Please,” Ludiia scoffed. ”The s.e.xual tension is suffocating me.”

I scowled at her.

”Ludiia is right. It's painfully obvious the feelings you have for each other. Your actions speak louder than your words. It's disgusting.”

”I have a boyfriend. His name is Hunter and he's a G.o.d,” I lied, dropping my gaze to the floor. I hoped it would better our chances and take the scrutiny off Eli and I. I was still mad at him for what he did, but if dropping his name helped, it was the least he could do for me.

”Hunter Reeves?”

I didn't know Hunter's last name but I nodded anyway. I glanced up at Lucian, who was rubbing his chin, pondering my conditions.

”Fine. You have a deal. I expect you back here on Friday. You have six days to get your s.h.i.+t together.”

I exhaled, but I wasn't relieved, although I should celebrate every small victory I get over a vampire. Vampires aren't usually known for negotiating. I must have something he really wants.

”If you breathe a word about this to anyone, I will destroy your school and everyone you know.”

In entered the masked men with guns that escorted us in earlier.

”Oh, can't I keep him?” Ludiia complained.

”Not anymore.” Lucian replied.

I turned and met her eyes before we exited. She no longer smiled her impudent smile. She glared at me, her jaw clenched.

Out in the open the trees rustled loudly against the cool night breeze, giving an eerie feel. For a moment I forgot where we were. The tent seemed like a permanent structure, not a temporary one set up just outside my school.

My home.

The sounds of the dry crackling leaves beneath our feet were sending s.h.i.+vers down my spine. I was on edge. I glanced over my shoulder and the three anonymous men were gone, leaving Eli and I alone in the bush. The tress cast freaky shadows on the clear path. I tried to force the unwanted images of being mauled to death by vampires from my mind. I needed to get to the safety of my dorm.

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