(ZANE)
The kettle whistles on the stove, and I jump at the sound.
Kian removes it from the burner and drops tea bags inside a teapot before pouring the hot water inside it.
He is clearly the head of the household— their leader—but he doesn't argue with Blaine.
I wouldn't have either.
Kian places the teapot, a mug, and cream on a tray before leaving the kitchen.
"See?" Thereon tells me. "He's like a grandpa with his little tea set. Just as grouchy as one too. Don't let him get to you."
I try to smile but find it too hard. I feel like I am seconds away from having a severe mental breakdown.
The meal is awkward and quiet at first, but then Kaiser and Thereon start talking about a new action movie they'd just watched and how "unrealistic" the fight scenes were. I relaxed a bit and eat my eggs and bacon as I listen to them.
Afterward, I rinse off my plate and set it in the sink.
When I turned around, Blaine is right in front of me.
"Jesus," I say, my ass bumping the counter as I jump back.
"Walk with me." He doesn't give me a chance to respond before turning toward the archway. Thinking it unwise to argue, I follow him out of the kitchen. He slows his pace so I can catch up, and then we walk side by side down the hall.
The bite in my leg hurts a little, so I limp as I walk. Nothing too bad though. He slows the pace even more, as if noticing my discomfort.
"You can rest more if you want," Blaine says as we walk past rows of windows, his body passing through sunbeams. It's one thing I noticed about the mansion. Windows were everywhere, making the place feel open and bright. Welcoming.
"I'm okay. I'll go crazy if I stay in bed." I consider my situation. "Well, crazier. Because this is probably all in my head. Who knows. Maybe I'm actually lying in a hospital right now in a coma, and this is a dream or something."
"It's not a dream."
"How can I know for sure?" Blaine backs me up against the wall. He placed one hand beside my head and grabs my waist with the other.
"Does this feel like a dream?"
I… forget how to talk for a moment. I forget everything as I stare into his stormy gray eyes and feel the heat coming off his body. It is a lot like the night he broke into my shop and pushed me against the wall.
When he is close to me, my brain kind of stops working.
"Zane?"
"Um." I swallow the thickness in my throat.
"What was the question?" Blaine leans in closer, his breath tickling my lips.
My heart hammers against my ribs, and heat scorches the center of my chest.Is he seriously about to kiss me? Bite me, maybe? He's an angel, not a vampire, I remind myself.
"What are you thinking?" he asks, his body pressed to mine.
"I don't know. I think I'm about to pass out, actually."
With a light laugh, Blaine pulls away from me.
"Come on. I'll show you the house."
I stared after him before pushing off the wall and following, trying to gather my thoughts.
"Why bother showing me around? I don't plan on staying here long."
"You don't have a say in the matter." I stop beside an open doorway and frown.
"Excuse me?" "Protective custody, remember?" Blaine crosses his arms, emphasizing his strong arms.
"Until I know you're safe, you won't be returning to your loft."
"Then give me my phone." I hold out my hand. "You said you texted Dante from it. Hand it over." "No." His frown deepens.
"Why the hell not?"
"Because I don't know if I can trust you yet," Blaine says.
"What's stopping you from telling someone you're being held against your will?"
"You mean, tell them the truth? Because that's exactly what you're doing."
"As I said before…" He strides forward, causing me to tilt my head to hold his gaze. I refuse to be intimidated by him. I don't care if he was a damn giant.
"Shades have your scent. The moment you go home, they'll find you. They'll tear off your head and drink your blood while bathing in it."
I curl my nose.
"That was… graphic."
"You're safe here, Zane. So stop arguing, and fucking follow me." "Why do you care so much? You don't even know me."
A tic starts in his jaw. "I don't care about you. It's nothing personal. It's my job. Normally I wouldn't bother dealing with you pesky humans, but this is a rare case. You can be of use to us, so we need to keep you safe for the time being."
Now that I believe. I recall the way Adrian had easily dismissed me at the restaurant. I remember all the men before him who'd screwed me over, made me feel insignificant. I am stupid for thinking, even for a moment, that I am special in some way.
"Okay," I say, dropping my gaze to my bare feet.
The hardwood floor was cold beneath them. I would kill for my comfy slippers right now. "You're sad."
"Huh?" I glanced up to find Blaine closer than he was before.
"No, I'm not."
"Liar."
"Are you going to show me the rest of the house?" I ask, waving a hand around. "Or are we gonna stand here all day?"
He cuts his eyes at me.
"Now you're angry."
"You're so perceptive," I say dryly.
"I don't appreciate the attitude, human."
"And I don't appreciate yours, Nephilim. You can't just expect me to be okay with all of this." "You don't have a choice in the matter." I glare hard.
"You could be nicer to me."
It's not my job to baby you." Blaine's nostrils flare as we stare each other down.
"Hey!" Loki poked his head through the open doorway to my right. "What are you guys doing?"
"Show Zane around the place," Blaine says, turning away from me. "I have other matters to attend to."
He leaves without another word, his heavy boots clicking on the floor as he goes down the hall.