A Job From Hell (Ancient Legends #1)

course, there was the slightest
chance that even vampires go with time and adapt to twenty-first century
amenities. Who wouldn’t rather sleep in a bed than in the confined space of a
coffin with the migraine-inducing smell of wood polish? But how likely was
that?
    I sighed and jumped up, eager to find out
whether Aidan bore a dark secret. I thumped up the stairs to the second floor
and yanked open one door after another, skipping Rebecca’s room. No point looking
in there, because I knew I wouldn’t find more than a closet full of old
clothes.
    There were five other rooms in total; four
bare of any furniture and one locked. Kneeling, I peered through the padlock. Whoever
was in there had locked themselves from the inside and left the key in. Pulling
with all my might, I rattled the door, but it didn’t budge. Well, there was my
answer, then. You can’t lock a door from inside unless you’re in there. Had I
kissed a creature of the night? A real living corpse? I should search the
Internet and print out a vampire hunter’s guide so I knew all the right places
where to kick him. I snorted, anger creeping up on me. That morning I thought
Aidan was such an improvement to egocentric, self-satisfied Cameron. Gee, had I
been wrong. Why couldn’t I just meet a normal guy for a change? Preferably one
that didn’t love his car more than me, or one that didn’t need his five-a-day
in the form of blood infusions. Was that too much to ask?
    After returning to my room, I retrieved my
phone and left the house through the backdoor in the kitchen in the hope to
find reception. There was none, so I walked out the gates a few steps down the
street until one bar appeared on the reception indicator. Shivering, I pressed
two to speed-dial Dallas’s number in the hope he was still in Inverness and
could pick me up. His usual, stupid James Bond 007 voicemail greeted me,
informing me he was on a secret mission with some hot chick.
    I rolled my eyes and left him a message requesting
that he call back, then briefly considered calling Cameron when I remembered in
all the havoc I hadn’t texted him back yet. He could wait just a bit longer
because I had more pressing issues on my mind, like considering whether to pack
my bags and get the hell out of there. Anyone in their right mind would just
head for the nearest door, but that wasn’t my style. I had never backed up from
a good confrontation. After Aidan fooled me into kissing him, I felt I had
every right to give him a piece of my mind.
    The thicket to my right rustled. I ignored
it until I heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Someone pressed a broad
hand over my mouth. I spun sharply, staring straight into Connor’s pitch-black
eyes.
    “Not a word,” he whispered.
    Panic washed over me. He seemed to miss we were
in the middle of nowhere. Who’d hear my screams? And then the whole absurdity
of the situation dawned on me. This person had been hiding in the bushes even
though, as Aidan’s friend, he could’ve just rung the bell and I would’ve opened.
I groaned under his strong grip. Could this day get any weirder?
    “I see Aidan’s getting careless. He should’ve
warned you not to leave the house.” Connor pushed me forward but didn’t loosen
his grip. “You’re coming with me.”
    My gaze scanned the area, taking in the
asphalt slick with dew. Whatever his intentions were, I had a feeling Aidan was
the harmless one out of the two. I made a step forward and stopped, shaking my
head.
    “What?” The edge in Connor’s voice betrayed
irritation. I made a gagging sound that barely found its way out of my throat,
but it was enough for Connor to loosen his grip over my mouth. “Better now?
Move it, then.”
    I closed my eyes, praying for help, even
though I knew no one would come to my rescue. From the corner of my eye, I
caught movement. A strong gust of wind scattered a pile of fallen leaves.
Someone whispered in my ear, and for a moment I thought it was Connor, until I realized
I didn’t recognize the voice, nor did I understand the words. Without thinking I
opened my mouth and bit as hard as I could while stomping on Connor’s foot. He
cried out, pulling his hand back, then toppled over as though someone just hit
him over the head. Peering at me, he stood and took a step when he was sent
flying backward, a groan escaping his throat. With a grunt, he collapsed
against a tree. His body shook a few times as though something or someone kept
hitting him. I stared,