A Job From Hell (Ancient Legends #1)

last
night.”
    Cass winked. “You should’ve called me. I
could’ve taught you a thing or two about dealing with that kind of assault.” The
familiar pang of jealousy took hold of me. No way would I let Cass anywhere
near Aidan. Cass rolled her eyes. “Get a grip, mate. I was just joking.
Besides, your guy isn’t my type. Now, your brother’s just—” she tapped a
finger against her lips “—yum.”
    I scowled. The thought of my brother being
seduced by Lucifer’s daughter made me nauseous. “He’s not available.” Before
Cass could read more of my thoughts, I jumped up and headed out the door with a
false smile, calling over my shoulder, “Drinks, anyone?”
    From the corner of my eye I saw Cass mutter
to herself something like, “I told you to shut up for a while, didn’t I? Now she
thinks I’m a tart.”
    Good grief! The girl was weird, talking to
herself and all. I shook my head and headed down the corridor to the kitchen,
hoping there were enough glasses left in the cabinet. If need be, I could just serve
Diet Coke cans and straws, claiming the glasses were all shattered in a recent
earthquake.
    Among several plates and Tupperware, I
found glasses piled high in the sink, but decided against washing up. For one, I’d
have to dry up and polish, which is even worse than cooking because it entails
some sort of higher understanding of cloths and the right amount of pressure I
didn’t possess just yet. And second, last time I’d tried I ended up in an
emergency room with a huge piece of glass imbedded in my finger. Dallas didn’t
mind driving me to the hospital, but I doubted a pack of vampires would be
quite so forthcoming.
    Watching from the window, I could make out
the last rays of light on the horizon. Darkness had almost descended over the
forest, the heavy clouds bearing the promise of another rainy night. I sighed
and grabbed three cans of Diet Coke, wondering when my vampire friends would
finally make their grand entrance when Angel peered in, a timid smile playing
on her lips. “May I help?”
    “If you’re up for washing dishes.” I
pointed at the dirty glasses. “Nah, I’ll just get us some Diet Coke.”
    “You shouldn’t have left—” Angel
said, grabbing my hand.
    I hesitated. “But I thought everyone was
thirsty.”
    “Not that. But you’re funny. I’ve missed
you.”
    “Deidre asked you to accompany Devon and play
the friendship card to change my mind.” I regretted saying the words the moment
I opened my mouth. It wasn’t Angel’s fault Deidre knew how to manipulate
people.
    Angel grimaced and dropped my hand. “Let’s
just say things haven’t been the same without you.”
    “Do you remember the pendant Deidre gave
me?” I didn’t wait for her answer. “It was infused with some sort of dark magic
that influenced my mind. You can’t blame me for not trusting you when you’re
one of them.”
    She shook her head, eyes wide with honesty.
“I would never—”
    For an instant, I almost believed her
earnest gaze. Then I held up a finger, interrupting her. “Listen, I’m sorry,
but I had to do what was right for me.” I gave her hand a squeeze and turned to
the door, hoping she’d follow. “Now’s not the time to argue. Can we talk later
after we grab the book?”
    Angel nodded. We returned to the living
room in silence, meeting Devon’s questioning gaze. When Angel shrugged, he scowled
and turned away. Well, I wasn’t going to feel guilty for spoiling their plans.
Not when their plans involved playing with my life.
    My palms turned damp as I placed the cans
on the coffee table. My heart started to race in my chest. I sensed him a
moment before the door was swung open and Aidan walked in with Clare and Kieran
following a few steps behind.
    Aidan made a derisive noise as his gaze
skimmed Devon and then moved to me, gaze narrowed, nostrils flaring. He was
still mad, ego bumped and all, but cute as a button in his white shirt and
jeans with that disheveled mop on his head. Unable to suppress a giggle, I
pictured running my hand through his hair, planting a soft kiss on his lips and—
    Cass puffed somewhere to my right. “Just
get a room and give me a break, will you?” I sat down, embarrassed. Aidan shot
me an amused glance, and I groaned inwardly. Why couldn’t Cass just keep her
mouth shut?
    “How did you get past the gates?” Kieran
asked, suspiciously.
    “That would be my doing. You see, your
magic stands no chance against this little