A Job From Hell (Ancient Legends #1)

grin. “You’re shivering. Would you like a sweater, or
maybe I could turn up the heat?”
    “The temperature in the house’s just fine,
thank you.” What would Aidan think? I smacked his hand away. “I just need some
fresh air to sort things out. My heart’s beating a million miles a minute.”
    Kieran laughed. “I tend to have that effect
on girls.”
    “You wish,” Clare called from the library.
    I needed to hear the voice of someone
normal before I went crazy. Maybe Cameron would know how to get me out of this
ridiculous situation. I pointed at the landline. “Can I use the phone?”
    Kieran’s eyes narrowed. “So you can call
the police and tell them you’re being held prisoner? Sorry, that’s not going to
happen.”
    “You’re really something.”
    “Well, the ladies keep telling me. I should
warn you, I have hundreds of years of experience.”
    Was he for real? I turned to face him,
shaking my head in disbelief. “How could you have lived that long? You must be
bored out of your mind.”
    “I’m pretty good at dodging angry mobs with
pitchforks. And the boredom is bearable. It was worse before television was
invented.”
    “I’m so out of here,” I said, yanking my
arm out of his iron grip.
    “No, you’re not. I’ll tie you up, or
handcuff you to your bed.”
    I sneered. As if. “Sounds tempting, but I’d
rather make my phone call.”
    “Nope.” He shook his head, still amused,
irritating the hell out of me.
    I smiled at him, hoping he’d fall for my
bluff. “The police would laugh their heads off if I told them I was being held
hostage by a group of vampires. Just let me answer a friend’s call, otherwise he might involve the authorities.”
    Kieran stood his ground. “No, and don’t you
dare walk out that door because I’ll know it. If it’s a chase you want, a chase
you’ll get.” He winked. “I’m not in hunting mood tonight, but Clare is. You
wouldn’t want her on your heel because she’s a beast.”
    I backed up a few steps. He wasn’t going to
intimidate me. Maybe I could just sprint past him. “I don’t think Aidan would
appreciate you talking to me like this.”
    Lifting his hand, he caressed my cheek. “He
doesn’t need to know.”
    Now he was completely losing his marbles.
Or why else would he keep flirting? Why couldn’t Cameron pay me this much
attention? If only he knew, surely he’d come to his senses. He’d know what a
huge mistake he made by dumping me, and he’d spend the rest of his life making
it up to me because we belonged together, two normal people living a normal
life with no demons, vampires or Shadows.
    In two long strides I reached the door when
Kieran wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me back. “He’s my brother and I’ll
do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
    “Keep me safe? Ha! Don’t you want to rip
out my throat and drink my freaking blood? Yeah, I know all about you guys!”
    Kieran rolled his eyes. “Oh, please. If
that were the case, you’d be dead already.”
    A cold hand touched my shoulder, making me jump.
“We don’t feed from the source,” Clare said. “You’re safe with us. I promise.”
    Was a promise from a dead person even
binding? I had trusted Clare more than any of them. I should never have bonded
over wine and girl talk. I balled my fists as I glared at her. “Clare, how
could you not tell me what you were?”
    Clare exchanged a glance with Kieran, then
met my gaze. “Would you have believed me?” She had a point there. “Vampire or
not, we’re friends.”
    I snorted. “Sure, as long as you don’t come
too close to my aorta.”
    “What was she supposed to do?” Kieran
asked. “Invite you to talk over dinner? You should see the way she sinks her
fangs into her meal. She may look sweet, but her table manners are horrendous.
Frankly, I’m embarrassed to dine with her, especially with guests around.”
    “You’re such a moron.” Clare nudged him in
the ribs. “Don’t believe a word he says.”
    I couldn’t get past the fact that Clare
hadn’t given me the benefit of the doubt. I still wanted to get out of here,
but arguing wasn’t aiding my plan. Time to change my approach. “Why are you
holding me against my will? If you want me to trust you, you’ll have to trust
me first.”
    “I don’t trust you because I know you’re trying
to run away.” Clare handed me the phone. “No police, or any hints to anyone. Break
your word and I’ll lock you in your