Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks [73]
“Is this supposed to make me more attractive?” Marielle asked.
“Mmm-hmm.” Vanda concentrated on her work.
“Is that wise? I mean—you don’t think Connor and I should—”
“I don’t know what to think.” Vanda started on her other foot. “But I do know that Connor has been miserable for a long time, and . . . I want him to be happy. You, too.”
Marielle sighed. She wasn’t sure how to accomplish that, but she did know one thing. She wanted Connor to be happy, too.
Brynley set a plate of cookies and glass of milk on the coffee table, then retreated back to the kitchen table.
Marielle enjoyed the cookies until it was time to paint her fingernails. While the polish dried, Vanda and Marta settled on the couch next to her, each enjoying a glass of synthetic blood. Brynley sat across from them on the rocking chair, munching on cookies and milk.
“I can see why Connor likes you.” Vanda sipped from her glass. “You’re not just beautiful. You’re very loving, and . . . I think he needs that.”
Marielle leaned back. “I’m trying not to think about it right now.” He needs you. He needs love.
“Then let’s talk about things we hate about men,” Brynley suggested. “Like what big babies they can be when they’re in pain.”
Vanda chuckled.
Marielle didn’t think Connor would be that way.
“Sometimes I wake up from my death-sleep,” Vanda said, “and Phil is lying next to me snoring something awful. So I punch him and tell him he snores loud enough to wake the dead.”
Brynley laughed.
“I don’t think Connor snores,” Marielle said.
“Of course he doesn’t! He’s dead!” Brynley winced. “Speak of the devil.”
Marielle sat up and looked over her shoulder. Her heart did its usual jolt. Connor had returned. He was wearing new clothes, his hair was damp, and he was as handsome as ever.
“The sun rises in fifteen minutes,” he announced.
“All right.” Vanda stood. “Marta and I will be going.”
Marta finished the last of her blood and set down her glass. “It was good to see you again, Marielle. Take care.”
Marielle gave her and Vanda hugs. “Thank you. For everything.”
Vanda smiled. “It was fun.” She set her empty glass on the coffee table next to the tray of nail polish. “Good luck with your . . . problem.” She glanced at Connor, then lowered her voice. “I’ll talk to Ian.”
Marielle nodded.
“Don’t worry about the mess,” Brynley said. “I’ll clean up. I don’t have much to do all day.”
Vanda and Marta teleported away.
Connor inclined his head. “I’ll be preparing for my death-sleep now.” He turned and walked into Marielle’s bedroom.
“Whoa,” Brynley whispered. “Is he going to sleep in your bed?”
“I—I don’t think he can.” Hadn’t he said that the light coming through the window would fry him?
“Weird,” Brynley muttered. She gathered things off the coffee table and took them to the kitchen.
Marielle wished she could help, but she needed to keep her distance from Brynley.
The door to her bedroom opened, and Connor emerged. His gaze sought out Marielle, then he looked away. “Good night.” He went into the closet next to the kitchen, closing the door firmly behind him.
“Connor’s in the closet,” Brynley whispered in a singsong voice, then laughed.
Marielle yawned. It had been another long night. “I think I’ll go to bed, too.” She trudged toward the bedroom. “Thank you for guarding us during the day.”
“No problem.” Brynley smiled as she washed dishes. “If that nasty demon shows up, I’ll blast him full of shotgun shells.”
Marielle paused at the bedroom door. “I hate to leave you alone all day, but I’ve been up all night.”
“It’s okay. Get some sleep.”
Marielle nodded. “God bless you.”
A hint of pain flickered in Brynley’s eyes before she smiled back. “Good night.”
Marielle shut the door behind her and wandered over to the window. The night sky was growing lighter, taking on that luminous glow just before the sun shattered the horizon with glorious light and color.
Daybreak had always been her favorite time, a time filled with the hope and promise of a new day. But now, she could only think of Connor lying in the closet so near to her. Dying. All alone.
With