Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks [63]
“I can translate that for you,” Phineas offered. “It means he’s embarrassed he was a caveman and ate brontosaurus burgers for lunch.”
Connor arched an eyebrow at him. “The correct translation is ‘sod off.’ ”
“Dude, that’s no way to talk in front of an angel. Just because you’re having a mid-life crisis, it doesn’t mean you can be rude.”
Connor scoffed. “I’m no’ having a bloody mid-life crisis. And I’m no’ rude, so bugger off.”
Phineas leaned close. “I can give you some pointers on how to sweeten her up.”
“She can hear you,” Connor muttered.
“Right. And she heard you, too, bro. You’re in desperate need of some professional help from the Love Doctor.”
“You’re a doctor?” Marielle asked.
“Of love,” Phineas clarified, then puffed out his chest. “You’ll never find so many happily married couples as there are around here. Is it a coincidence that all this romance occurs when the Love Doctor is around? I think not!”
Connor shook his head and led them down a glass-lined hallway to the cafeteria. Through the glass, he could see Roman playing with his children on the basketball court. Radinka and Father Andrew sat on a bench nearby.
“Now let me tell you how to set up the perfect date with your lovely lady,” Phineas continued. “You gotta take her somewhere romantic.”
“Like a park?” Marielle asked.
“Yeah, that would work,” Phineas agreed.
Connor slanted a glance at Marielle, and she was watching him, her eyes twinkling with humor.
“And then, bro, you gotta buy her something sweet to eat,” Phineas said.
“Like ice cream?” Marielle asked.
“Yeah, that’s it.” Phineas slapped Connor on the back. “You just do whatever your angel here wants. She’ll tell you what’s romantic.”
She smiled at Connor, and his heart did its usual squeeze. “My goal is no’ to date her, but to get her back to heaven.”
“Oh.” Phineas looked disappointed as he turned to Marielle. “You don’t want to stay here with us?”
Her smile faded. “I don’t belong here. I live in constant fear of brushing up against humans and causing their death.”
Phineas nodded. “That’s a bummer. Roman’s still kinda pissed about what happened.”
Marielle sighed. “I’ve come to apologize, but I know that’s woefully inadequate.”
Connor’s jaw clenched. “ ’Twas my fault.” He stopped outside the cafeteria doors. “Shanna’s in here. I can leave you alone a few minutes while I report to Angus.”
“Angus isn’t here, bro,” Phineas said. “He and Emma went to Nebraska. Robby and Olivia went with them.”
Connor stiffened. “Dead bodies?”
“Yeah. Sean Whelan called to let us know that a local sheriff discovered ten bodies in a small town. They went to see if Casimir was behind it.”
Marielle hung her head. “I’m so sorry. I should have sensed that.”
“ ’Tis no’ yer fault,” Connor said. “I asked ye to find a peaceful death close by. We’ll try again tomorrow night.”
“You were able to teleport to a death scene?” Phineas asked.
“Aye.” Connor nodded. “When ye see Angus, tell him the training is going well. We should be ready in a few nights.”
Phineas nodded. “Will do.” He turned back to Marielle. “I need to get back to the office to keep an eye on everything. Thank you for helping us.”
“You’re welcome.” She touched Phineas’s shoulder. “Bless you.”
As Phineas headed back to the security office, Connor opened the cafeteria door and escorted Marielle inside.
Shanna was across the large room, standing by the window and gazing out at her children. When the door banged shut behind them, she turned.
Connor kept his face blank, but a sharp jab speared his heart. Shanna had always seemed so vibrant and full of life, but now she had joined the ranks of the Undead. There was a new fragile paleness to her skin, and something a little different about her eyes. The blue irises were more intense.
“Thank you for coming,” she said softly and smiled.
Connor flinched inwardly. Shanna’s fangs were retracted, but he could still see the sharp points. Bugger. He didn’t understand it. How could so many of his friends marry mortal women, knowing full well this would be their future?
Shanna’s eyes widened as she looked