Taken by a Vampire (Vampire Queen) - By Joey W. Hill Page 0,79

to a lustrous shine. Everything about her said she was a polished gem, intended to be displayed as part of the wealth of a vampire Master.

She met Niall’s gaze before she swept her own down. “How may I please our Master with you, Niall?”

Niall caught both her hands. “Where did you go, lass?”

Her brow creased. “I don’t understand.”

“You were here, with me. And now you’ve taken your heart and soul away, only leaving your body.”

“If it is my Master’s wish for me to be more . . . emotionally engaged, then I will do so.”

“You’ll act like it, you mean.”

“No. My emotions are my Master’s to command. If he desires enthusiasm, or tears, or passion, then I provide that.”

Christ, Evan. She doesnae know the difference.

Evan considered the issue. Let her go, Niall. Tell her I have no further need of her today. Do not allow her to help you with anything. Let’s see what she does with that.

Niall’s reply to that was a continuation of last night’s what’s the point of all this disagreement. But Niall hadn’t liked where that argument had gone, and neither had Evan. So he was relieved when Niall suppressed it. Somewhat.

Fine.

Is that a woman’s “fine”? Meaning “not fine,” but you’ll do it, despite the fact that you think I’m wrong and you plan to brood about it? Or is it a man’s “fine”? Which, by the way, men don’t often use the word in either manner. It’s “okay,” “right,” or “piss on you.”

Piss on ye, then. That works.

Evan smiled tightly. Yes, it does. For now.

9

ALANNA was bewildered. Niall had retrieved her T-shirt and bra, pressed them into her hands as he set her aside. He’d told her he had some other things to do up the mountain, and that she was to spend the day as she liked.

She found him putting together a backpack in the kitchen. “I don’t understand. What should I do?”

Niall shrugged. “Ye have the books you bought. I’ll show you some easily marked trails that’ll take ye to pretty overlooks, but dinnae wander off them looking for plants or you’ll be lost. There’s plenty of food to make yourself something for lunch. I’ll nae be returning until early dinner.”

She trailed after him as he moved around the small cabin. When she would have helped him pack a sandwich or put water bottles in his pack, he firmly shouldered her aside. “I’ve been caring for myself for a while now,” he said. “No need for a woman’s help.”

“I wasn’t . . . I didn’t intend an insult.” She shouldn’t be hurt that he set her aside now, or even earlier. Perhaps the vampire had decided to sample her directly. But she didn’t like how this felt.

“I didnae take it as one. We do for ourselves, and when Evan has nothing for me, I pursue my own interests. You need to do the same. There’s no threat to him here, so no worries about leaving him on his own. He can call us if he needs us. Go exploring, read a book, bake yourself a cake and eat the whole thing yourself.” He flashed her a grin. “Soften up that pretty arse.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I am soft in all the proper ways.”

“A woman’s arse cannae ever be too soft. Makes it much nicer when skelping it. Or other activities.” Niall winked at her, shouldered the pack.

“I could help you do . . . whatever you’re doing.” She tried to keep the desperation from her voice.

“No. I’m checking some places Evan wants tae visit. I’ll be moving fast, so I can cover them by dusk. You can’t keep up. Enjoy your day, lass.”

Going to the doorway, she watched him take one of the deer trails, his long strides removing him from sight in a blink. The mountain view stretched out before her, magnificently indifferent to her dilemma. There was birdsong and insect life, a breeze, but also a complete stillness, an underlying lack of noise and activity she’d never experienced in her city life.

She sat down on the log bench, crossing her arms over her breasts. The contact immediately made her think of Niall touching her, two sets of eyes on her through his vivid gaze. She’d nearly lost herself in it, until she recalled her duty to be focused on their pleasure and desire. A moment later, things had changed. Cupping her breasts as Niall had, she closed her eyes, remembering his fingers rubbing over the nipples. She almost did it herself,