working. A dangerous game for both sides. “Just stop it,” she said, her voice all sharp edges. “State your business or get out of here. I’ve had enough, Mr. De Luca.”
“Andreas will do.” His voice was smooth, urbane. “I fear you have assumed some evil purpose on my part, when I truly meant no harm.”
“Yeah, I can see that.” Ari looked pointedly at the blood on her hand.
He sighed. “Yes, well…” Some emotion flitted through his eyes. Regret? Uncertainty? Puzzlement? His next statement made her wonder if she’d seen anything.
“Only a small bite, after all.” When she bristled, he seemed to reconsider his words. “All right. Not my best moment.” It was a matter-of-fact statement. Not a real apology, no remorse. A muscle twitched at the corner of his mouth, as if he was enjoying the situation. Before Ari could think of a good retort, he changed the subject. “As for what I wanted, nothing. I heard the screams and came to help.”
“You came to help,” she repeated. He nodded, and she went on, her voice thick with sarcasm. “Of course, I should have guessed. Fearing some innocent was in danger, you came charging to the rescue.”
“Something like that,” Andreas agreed. “You arrived before me, and my services were not required.”
Yeah, right. Ari rolled her eyes. He’d had plenty of time to make up a better story than that. He was lying, and he didn’t care if she knew it. Arrogant bloodsucker.
He frowned, took a sudden step toward her. “You appear to doubt my word, Ms. Calin. Why is that?”
So, the vampire’s skin was not as thick as it seemed. Ari shifted her position a step to the left, increasing the distance between them. He mirrored her actions, closing the gap. She moved again, so did he. His eyes glittered in the moonlight. A sign of danger or mischief? Ari didn’t feel particularly threatened. Perhaps she should. After all, she had baited him. To be honest, this macabre moonlight dance was more weird than frightening.
“Your story is pretty unlikely. In my experience, vamps don’t give a damn about anyone else. So who were you tracking? The wolf or me? I hope it wasn’t the humans.”
Andreas raised a dark eyebrow. “In your experience? Have we not agreed that you have none?”
“Very funny. You know I didn’t say that.” Her face flushed. “And it’s not smart to keep pushing me.”
“But it is tempting,” he murmured. Then he smiled again. “Perhaps an apology is in order. I have been too long in the close company of my own kind. If you can overlook my shortcomings, perhaps we could start over.”
Wary of his conciliatory manner, Ari tilted her head in doubt.
His eyes widened. “I really am harmless.”
Ari lost it. Laughed aloud. It was the most absurd thing he could have said. When Andreas started to protest, she waved a hand to stop him. “No, no. Please, spare me.” She swallowed her laughter and eyed him, trying to read his mood. “All right, why not? A new beginning.”
He cocked his head and leaned forward. “Shall we seal this understanding with a kiss?”
“I don’t think so.” She stepped out of reach, lifting her hands to hold him off. “We’ve had enough close contact for one night.”
Too late, Ari realized her mistake. Never give ground to a predator. He appeared beside her in a blink, his quickness catching her off guard. She hadn’t seen him move.
He didn’t touch her, but his lips were close to her ear as he whispered, “What are you afraid of, young witch? Surely not of me.” His magic was back, raising the hairs on Ari’s arms.
She turned her head away, not stepping back this time, but creating a little space. “I’m not afraid.” Her voice was steady. Good girl. This was just another test. It wasn’t the first time an Otherworlder had demanded she earn his respect. She could handle anything this vampire dished out. And he hadn’t tried to harm her. Not yet, anyway.
“Not afraid?” he repeated softly.
“No. Now back off. I know how to defend myself.” Maybe she couldn’t match his strength or speed or invade his mind. But Ari had the fire magic. Crimson fire that would turn him to charred bits. If he attacked, the oath of abstinence taken by every white witch didn’t count. Self-defense was a given. Plus she had the silver dagger. No rules about using it. Her fingers touched the dagger’s handle.
“Should we test your skills?” His voice was silky as velvet.