Total pages in book: 207
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
His tone gentle, he said, “I mean it, you know. I will do my best to find out what’s happened to your parents.”
She managed a smile. “I know. You told me you don’t lie, remember?”
Ah.
The way she trusted him so even though they had just met? Cute.
The way she was doing her best to maintain a strong façade even if it was obvious she was worried about her missing parents? Cute.
Everything she did was too damn cute, and right now, it wasn’t just his cock affected by it. His whole damn world was impacted by her every word and smile.
And that was not good.
Not good at all.
“Alexandru?”
He blinked, realizing that she had been calling his name several times now. Looking around, he also realized that his men were nearly finished with cleaning up, ensuring that there was not a speck of evidence that might allow humans to discover their existence.
This particular mission was already complete in other words, so what was he still doing here? He had never lingered around this long and had certainly not spent this much time with any of the targets he had rescued.
“Alexandru?”
Damn. He had lost himself in his thoughts again. Looking down on Zari, he said gruffly, “I apologize, pet. What is it?”
Zari bit her lip, suddenly finding herself self-conscious and awkward. She had rehearsed what she intended to say over and over in her mind before calling for Alexandru. But now that she had his attention, his gorgeous green eyes focused on her completely?
A sliver of memory drifted in her mind, of Alexandru tweaking her nipple—-
Fires burst on her cheeks. Oh my God, why did she have to remember that now?
Alexandru’s brow lifted when he noticed Zari blushing madly. Interesting. “What are you thinking?” She didn’t answer and was unable to meet his eyes, either. He put two and two together and from there, it was easy to deduce what was suddenly embarrassing her.
His lips curved, and he murmured wickedly, “Have you just remembered that I’ve seen your body naked, touched your breast, and played with your nip—-”
Gasping, she reached out to cover his mouth, forgetting that if she did, it would mean opening her cloak and revealing her nakedness.
But Alexandru hadn’t, and he reacted swiftly, pulling her close.
She gasped again as her body slammed against his.
“Idiota. Have you forgotten you haven’t a stich of clothing under my cloak?”
She had.
But because she hated feeling like an idiot and hated even more that he had pointed out her idiocy, Zari just glared at him in response. “It’s all your fault!”
He laughed at her stubbornness, which he found ridiculously cute as well. Dammit. What was wrong with him? Why was it that every little thing this slip of a girl did was so interesting?
When Zari struggled, he let her go immediately, which she found strangely disappointing. The thought had her shaking her head mentally. God, what was wrong with her? Maybe this was all because he was the only living person she knew now and that was why she was feeling so attached to him.
“Zari?”
She scowled at him, her way of keeping her defenses up. “What?”
Did she know how cute her scowl was? He hoped not. It would be a pity if all this was a ploy to ingratiate herself to him.
“Do you have anyone I may contact? Anyone who could take you in while I search for your parents?”
She shook her head.
He had figured as much. The information provided to him had mentioned about Zari and her parents living isolated lives, trekking jungles all around the world. “In that case, I will take you to a place where you can be safe. I trust the people there completely – they will never allow any harm to befall you.”
Zari bit her lip hard.
He frowned. It was obvious she wanted to say something. “What is it?”
Looking down on her shoeless feet, she muttered, “What about you? Where are you going?”
Her emotionless tone told him that she was feeling strongly about the question, and in an instant, he realized that his little soul seer was scared. “The people I’m entrusting you with are people you can trust. I promise you that.”
Her fists clenched against her side. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“I have no home, Zari. You know what I am, right?”
“A vampire.”
“Yes, and my job is to protect my race. I’m asked to go to different places and make sure that vampires who violate our laws are...eliminated.”
She shivered at the last word. It made her realize that the vampire before her had likely killed some of the creatures inside the mining shaft. The fact should have frightened her, but she strangely found it reassuring. Somehow, she knew instinctively that he would only kill not to harm...but to protect.
“There’s nothing for you to be afraid of—-”
Looking up, she burst out, “Why can’t I stay with you instead?”