Afterlight - Elle Jasper [51]
I can’t express how it felt to know that four vampires sat casually in my living room, taking turns petting my dog and watching TV. It was just . . . freaky. And I’m not sure my brain would ever fully wrap around the entirety of it.
“Morning,” Luc and Phin said, almost at the same time.
“Your tats are sick,” said Josie, staring at my inked arms. She looked at Eli. “Can I get one?”
“Later, Josie,” said Eli, and gave me a casual glance. “You intrigue them.”
I really wasn’t sure what exactly intrigued them. The unique aged claret running through my veins? “Great. Okay, well . . . I’ve got a client in fifteen, so I have to go. You guys can help yourself to whatever.” I really didn’t have anything a vampire would want, I suppose—except my blood—but I didn’t know what else to offer.
“Thanks,” Phin said with a grin. “But we just stopped by to bring Eli his . . . breakfast.” He grinned. “We’ll take you up on that later, though.”
“Can’t I stay with you?” Josie asked Eli, and shot me a quick glance. “I want to watch her.”
“Not today, squirt,” said Eli. They seemed so normal, just like other brothers and sisters, that it seemed weird to think of them as vampires. I supposed no matter what, they were still siblings. “But maybe another day. And you’ll have to ask Riley.” He inclined his head toward me. “She’s the boss.”
Josie looked at me with wide blue eyes. “Could I?” she asked. “Please? I won’t get in the way, I swear.” She nearly squirmed where she stood, dressed in a Go-Go’s T-shirt, skinny jeans, and high-tops.
I shrugged. “Yeah, sure.” I smiled. “Cool shirt.”
Josie beamed. “Cool band.”
“Damn straight,” I agreed. “Okay, I seriously have to go now.”
Luc looked at me and smiled. “La paix hors.”
In the next breath, they were gone, and I literally heard Josie giggle just as the downstairs door closed. I would never get used to that. Eli stood, watching me, amused. “He said, ‘Peace out.’”
“Oh,” I responded. “Okay, come on.” Running against the clock, I hurried downstairs, Eli and Chaz on my heels. At the bottom of the steps I turned, and Eli stood on the step above me, not quite a foot away.
“Look,” I said, grasping the wooden handrail and looking up at him. “You’re about to meet one of my favorite people in the entire world. She’s very buoyant, optimistic, and sweet—and she’s my best friend. She’s already freaked about Seth, so don’t make it worse by staring at her all day, okay?”
Eli’s smile was subtle but effective. “Why do you think I’d stare?” he asked.
“Because you stare at me constantly,” I answered.
He drew closer. “Are you freaked-out?”
I fought the ever-growing urge to touch him and instead glared at him. “No.”
Again, he smiled. “Good. So what are we going to tell her?”
I cocked my head and stared, keeping my voice down. “A big fat freaking lie, that’s what.” I poked his chest. “I can’t tell her about . . . your heritage. I believe because your father proved it to me—in my mind it’s indisputable. Hard to grasp, but I can handle it. I’m not sure if Nyx would be able to. For now you’re just an apprentice hanging out for a little experience. That’s it. No connection to what she witnessed with my brother. He’s gone to rehab on Da Island. Got it?”
“Understood,” Eli said, then, with his forefinger, grazed my angel wing. “You look”—his gaze raked over me with appreciation—“amazing.”
Why that compliment affected me, I haven’t a clue. But it left me a little breathless, a little shaky, and, strangely enough, wanting a lot more. “Thanks,” I answered, and tried to seem like it was no big thing, but Eli’s smile proved he knew otherwise. I rolled my eyes,