Night Kissed (Chosen Vampire Slayer #1) - Mila Young Page 0,23

eyes never looked at anyone else.

Chapter 8

Orion

I liked the way she stared at me in that moment of true recognition, her upturned face illuminated by a fall of silver moonlight, her full lips, and cheeks rosy from the cold. Behind the mask of bravery in her blue eyes, there was a hint of fear, and also innocence. She stood about five-foot-eight, toned, and my gaze traced the curves of her full breasts. My presence had surprised her, truly. That palpable element of shock was what I enjoyed most—a way to let her know exactly where dominance lay.

“A strange place for a girl to be wandering at night in this city,” I told her calmly. “Perhaps you’re lost.”

The vulnerable openness of her expression instantly closed up. She seemed to age a few years as her soft mouth tightened into a straight, emotionless line and her luminous eyes hardened into stones. “I’m exactly where I planned to be.” Much like she had at our first meeting, she lifted her delicate chin.

What was this pretty creature hoping to prove by pretending not to be afraid? She was no match for even quiet, brooding Logan. Had I wanted to, I could have torn the thin white skin of her throat before she had the chance to say a single word. Didn’t she know she was living purely on the strength of my mercy?

Her stubborn foolhardiness elicited a grudging but genuine admiration. Seldom did I get the chance to meet mortals whose hearts and minds were able to withstand the knowledge of my nature. This human girl, on the contrary, had sought me out, followed me to my home. And now she was caught, and she still refused to back down.

“I suppose you expect me to spare you?” I spoke somewhat sternly, so that she wouldn’t know I was in any way pleased to see her again.

“And I assume you’ll have a price,” she shot back. “How about you tell me what you three are doing out here?” Her wits were as sharp as her tongue, even under these trying circumstances. She brushed an unruly lock of wild hair from her eyes, which burned into me. Were I any weaker, that gaze might have turned my bones to ash.

“Well.” I smirked. “It’s very doubtful you’d have anything material that would interest me. But I think we could work something out. A payment plan, if you will.” Stepping forward, I reached out to touch her face with the backs of my fingers, running my knuckles from cheekbone to jaw. She was a beautiful little thing.

A tiny shudder cracked her wall as she took a deep breath.

“I don’t want to know,” she said, eyeing the three of us, and the brave little thing never recoiled, “but I have a sickening feeling you’re going to tell me anyway.”

I laughed, unable to help it. She found a way to deepen my burgeoning fascination at every turn. Reckless, ignorant, self-endangering, and funny! How had it taken so long for this rare sort of woman to fall—almost literally—into my hands? She could not be permitted to stray too far from watchful eyes unless I wanted to risk losing her. But at the same time, I suspected she’d come back on her own even if I set her free.

After all, she had been unable to stay away once already.

The girl glanced to the side as I appraised her. When she had spoken, there were no fangs of any kind I could see, just the smooth, ineffectual even pearls of her teeth all humans carried. Yet the longer I stood so close to her, the greater I sensed something unusual, a characteristic I didn’t recognize in her. Not to mention, no humans would stand before me without trembling with fear.

“Who are you, gorgeous?” For now, I kept my tone gentle and safe. Those great, jeweled eyes shifted back to mine. Her brows knit.

“Save the compliments, Romeo. My name is Veronica.” She paused, holding my gaze. How fascinating seeing I haven’t even tried to charm her yet. “By the way, I’m not giving you anything. Especially not what it looks like you’re thinking. And you didn’t answer my earlier question about what you’re doing here.” Veronica’s whole body was tense with frigid anticipation. One hand had curled into a tight fist. On the surface, she might have seemed calm, but underneath was a cornered animal, ready to fight her way out, tooth and nail.

"We’re out for a stroll.” I grinned. Not discouraged, I slid