But a blond vampire. So bizarre.
All vampires, draugrs included, had dark skin and dark eyes, though skin color could vary in shades of brown and tan. The blond vamp had shoulder-length hair, a handsomely sinful face, and darkblueeyes?
She studied him.
He studied her back. “She’s totally into me, Khent. You might need to sit this one out.”
Khent crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back against the counter, and watched her.
She needed to keep an eye on him too, except she grew distracted when the old woman turned into someone much younger with medium-brown skin and a girlish appearance. Not a witch, exactly, not with all that magic. But not a mage.
Still, the death magic and witchery clouding the now younger-woman’s aura felt almost divine. Like…
Val swallowed. “Hecate, I presume?”
The goddess smiled. “And you’re Valentine Darkmore. The necromancer.”
The draugr looked fascinated. “We should totally test her magic.” He gave a nod to Khent. “Hey, then you can dissect her.”
Khent had the nerve to smirk.
“I don’t think so.” Val had to force herself to unclench her fists. She glared at Khent. “No.Pleasedon’t try to protect me from this feral draugr. I can handle myself.”
The draugr laughed.
Khent huffed. “Why would I bestir myself to action over a human?”
“No, dear.” Hecate grabbed Val’s arm. “You can’t try to kill him. He’ll retaliate, and then you’ll be dead.”
“Oh, she was going big. I do like her.” The blond wriggled his eyebrows. “I’m Rolf. The only vampire you need to worry about. Don’t worry, sweetness. Consider yourself under my protection.”He puffed his chest out deliberately. “Khent, I challenge you for the honor of owning our newest pet.”
“Pet?” Val frowned. “I’m alive.”
“So?” Rolf shrugged, and she was surprised to find him carrying more muscle than his frame suggested. It was as if he wore a perpetual glamour. She focused on him and saw floating runes surrounding him, a cloak of magic invisible to the naked eye.
He preened under her attention. “Hot, right?”
Khent finally seemed annoyed. “Rolf, go away. I have business with our new associate.”
Since associate sounded much better than pet or slave, Val remained quiet while Rolf left the kitchen, laughing. Hecate remained, which made Val feel a little safer. Especially since Khent didn’t seem any friendlier, despite his invitation.
“Sit, human.”
“My name is Val.”
He sighed. “I’m already exhausted, and we’ve barely spoken.”
Val turned to Hecate. “Is there anyone else here I can talk to? I came, not because your reaper called, but because there’s a situation you need to know about.”
“Yes, yes.” Hecate moved to the refrigerator, glanced back at Val, then pulled out a tray of fruits and cheeses that made Val’s stomach rumble. “Please eat. Khent, anything for you?”
He didn’t look away from Val, his lips curling. “No, thank you. I ate a witch earlier.”
Val refused to react to mention of his human snack. “I hear they taste like chicken.”
His grin widened before he wiped it from his face. “Funny, Valentine Darkmore.”
She sighed and bit into a grape. “It’s just Val.”
