Page 48 of Captive Hybrid
Tears flow down my cheeks. ‘I’m sorry.’ I sniffle.
He leads me to the couch, grabbing a box of tissues. He sits next to me, holding the box out. ‘Did anything happen? You’re okay?’
I nod, still trying to calm my racing heart. ‘I’m fine.’
Aidan winces. ‘Only until Evelyn gets home.’
My eyes snap wide.
He waves me down. ‘I just mean she was frantic, worried about you.’
‘Why would other vampires attack me if Drusilla wants me alive?’
Aidan gives a shrug. ‘Because she forgives too easily. She’s too bloodthirsty herself. Thank the Goddess she hasn’t locked you up in one of her personal chamber cells.’ A shudder passes over him. ‘Not the best way to win you over, I guess.’
‘Wait, did you just display a creeped out vibe to a vampire?’ I raise a brow.
‘Oh, sassy already.’ Aidan smiles. ‘Drusilla is messy. I’ve seen those cells. They’re covered in blood. She doesn’t have them cleaned. That’s just gross.’
I wipe my tears away and turn on the couch to face him, holding a cushion tightly in my lap. ‘I’m sorry. About before. How I’ve been talking to you, what I said to Will in the Dome… all of it. I know I don’t really get it, but it’s up to you.’ I have to play nice if I’m going to survive down here, and my relief at seeing Aidan was not faked.
Aidan bobs his head. ‘I appreciate that. I can pass it on to Will. He’s a good guy, I’m sure it will be fine. Hey, once Evelyn gets home and gets past her freak out with you, we could have dinner, the three of us. We could even invite Will and some other witches if you want. Would that make you feel more comfortable or less?’
I offer a grimace. ‘Yes,’ I say honestly.
Aidan offers a light laugh. ‘Okay, well, why don’t we start with the four of us. You can talk to us, ask us anything. Respectfully, you know. I don’t know how long you’ll be here, but I hope you believe us now when we say we want to keep you safe.’
My heart finally steady, I nod. ‘Will Evelyn eat with us? Vampires don’t eat… food, do they?’
Aidan shrugs. ‘Sometimes she does—’
‘What the hell?’ Evelyn bangs the door open. ‘Godric just told me he found you alone!’
I cringe, my heart picking up again.
‘We’ve both yelled at her already,’ Aidan says calmly.
‘Well, I haven’t,’ Evelyn snaps, locking the door behind her. ‘Are you okay? What were you thinking? Are you trying to get yourself killed?’ Her tone switches from angry to concerned to incredulous in one breath.
‘Yes, I wasn’t, and no.’ I arrange my features so as to look well and truly chastised, which is easy.
Evelyn pouts, throwing her hands up in the air. ‘Ah. It’s like babysitting. Okay, from now you, let me be clear, you are not to leave this apartment by yourself. You are not to ever go anywhere by yourself. If you’re alone, expect to be eaten. You hear me?’
I smirk. ‘Yes, Mum.’
Evelyn’s copper eyes flash.
I dart a gaze to Aidan, wondering if my sassiness is about to get me in trouble. His mouth is twisted, trying desperately to hide a smirk. He turns and bursts into laughter, only slightly muffled by a pillow.
I laugh a little too.
Evelyn pouts. ‘You two,’ she snarls.
‘Can we have Will over for dinner?’ Aidan says, still flushed with laughter. ‘I think it would be good for Zenna.’
Evelyn tosses her head back. ‘Of course we can. What do you want for dinner?’
I stare between them, shocked at the turn in events. ‘Anything. As long as it’s not me.’
Aidan completely loses it, laughing until his face is red.
