Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks [102]
Chapter Twenty-three
When Marielle fell asleep in his arms, Connor didn’t see any reason to move her. He folded the blanket over her and let her sleep, sprawled across his chest, while he gazed up at the stars.
It was a miracle she still loved him, and a part of him wanted to hold on to her forever. But it was her heart’s desire to return home to heaven, and he had sworn to help her. He wouldn’t break his pledge. He was haunted, though, by the thought that time was running out. If she became too human, would the Archangels accept her back?
After a few hours, she stirred. They gathered up their clothes, and he teleported them back to the cabin.
There were three missed calls on his cell phone and an angry text from Angus. Where the hell are you?
Connor warmed up another bottle of blood and made the call.
“Where the hell have ye been?” Angus demanded. “Ye missed our strategy meeting for tomorrow night.”
“I had to guard Marielle.”
“Ye could have brought her with you. And ye should have answered yer damned phone. We were worried something had happened to you.”
“How is Shanna’s father?” Connor asked, attempting to change the subject.
“He’s in a vampire coma, but his wounds appear to be healing. We’ll know for sure tomorrow night if he’s going to make the transition.”
“Did everyone make it through the battle all right?”
“Aye, just a few cuts and scrapes that will heal in death-sleep,” Angus answered. “I ripped my kilt, and when I tried to order a new one online, they said it would be three months before I could get it.”
“Three months?” Connor had never heard of it taking so long.
“Aye, apparently there’s been a sudden rush on kilts. Forty-three orders from some town in New York.”
Connor grinned. The lad from the ice cream shop must have told a few friends, and the news had spread.
“Anyway, I want you and Marielle here tomorrow after sunset,” Angus ordered. “Everyone’s gathering here at Romatech. We’ll have some time to prepare before the sun sets at Mount Rushmore.”
“Ye think it’s a trap?” Connor asked.
“Aye. So we’ll be arriving in two different groups. If the first group is trapped, the second group should be able to set things straight.”
“Makes sense to me. See you tomorrow.” Connor rang off.
He settled on the couch next to Marielle. “We know where to find Casimir tomorrow. Ye could stay here—”
“I want to be with you.”
He brushed her hair back over her shoulders. “I hate to put you at risk.”
“I have to be there when Casimir and the Malcontents are defeated.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Casimir asked you all to come to Mount Rushmore. I lost my wings near there. I believe I will get them back at the same place.”
He groaned inwardly. Then she was hoping to leave him tomorrow night. He was sorely tempted to beg her to stay with him. But how could he? How could he expect her to give up an eternity in heaven for the short life of a mortal? If he truly loved her, he would let her go.
“Not again,” Marielle grumbled when Connor handed her a dagger.
“Aye, ye’re no’ going without a weapon.” He strapped a belt around her waist.
It was Marielle’s seventh day on Earth, the day humans called Friday. Just before dawn, the ladies had brought Brynley to the cabin as usual, and she had guarded the cabin during the day.
Just after sunset, Connor had emerged from the closet and guzzled down a bottle of blood. Now he was arming himself and Marielle before teleporting to Romatech.
“I want to go, too!” Brynley announced. “I kicked ass last night.”
Connor gave her a worried look. “Can ye shift again tonight?”
“Yes! I can shift for three nights at the time of a full moon. Tell Phineas to get his tight ass over here and pick me up.”
Connor arched a brow. “I’ll pass yer message on to him.” He grabbed on to Marielle. “Let’s go.”
“Don’t forget about me!” Brynley shouted. “I’ll kick Phineas’s ass if he doesn’t . . .”
Everything went black, and Brynley’s shouts faded away. Marielle stumbled when they arrived on the grounds at Romatech.
“Come.” Connor led her through