Author: Aileen Erin
Category: Paranormal
Go to read content：https://readnovelfree.com/p/28751_82
“Up the stairs. First door on the right.”
The stairs creaked with age as I walked up, Dastien close on my heels. The steps were covered with a patterned carpet that was a little threadbare in places. Claudia was in what I took to be the guest bedroom, rushing around the tiny twin bed. It had a white-painted iron frame.
“Can I help you do anything?” I asked.
“No. I’ve got it. Just one second and I’ll have this all ready.”
“You didn’t have to—”
Plan B - SteamyCheck out the best interactive novels on Whispers: Interactive stories.
“Yes, I did,” she said without pausing her quick movements. “You have every right to hate me right now, but we need you more than your pack needs you. The least I can do is make a clean bed for you to sleep in.”
I dropped my messenger bag with a thud. “You need me?”
She kept busy as she moved around the room. A huge lace doily sat on top of the dark wooden bedside table, which was cluttered with an ornate lamp, some colorful dishes, a bowl of potpourri, and a lit candle. The potpourri and candle were going to have to go. The concentrated floral scent was already giving me a headache and I was barely in the door.
I stepped to the candle, blew it out and handed it to Dastien. He grabbed the potpourri and went back downstairs. Knowing him, he’d grab all the rest of the little smelly things around the house and chuck them out the window. I hope they didn’t leave any important potion stuff hanging around.
Sure enough, I heard something crash. Hopefully, whatever it was wasn’t irreplaceable. Raphael started talking downstairs, but he didn’t sound angry, so I ignored it and focused on Claudia.
I felt awkward not helping as she rushed to make the bed, but if bustling around made her feel better, then I might as well let her have at it.
When she was done, she smoothed a hand over the white and yellow quilt. She was a couple years older than me, but she acted much older than that. It made me wonder how much responsibility she’d had to take over when her parents left the compound. “There. The closet is small, but empty. There are hangers, too. I don’t have a desk for you, but I could—”
“This is fine. I didn’t bring much. I’m not staying longer than the full moon.”
Claudia finally stopped moving. “That’s fine. If we can’t do what needs to be done by then, it’ll be too late.”
I shot a look over my shoulder as Dastien came back into the room. He gave a barely there shake of his head. I haven’t figured out what Claudia’s planning, either, he said through the bond.
“What’s going on?”
“That’ll take a bit to explain. I’m sorry for what I did, but we’re desperate.” She pushed past me to exit the room. “Get settled, and then come downstairs.” She checked her watch. “Luciana will be here soon to make Dastien leave. We can talk more once he’s gone.”
Dastien moved into the room and set my duffles by the foot of the bed. “What do you want to do? We can turn around now. I can take you home.”
I shrugged. “It’s too late to back out.”
“It’s never too late. I don’t like you being used as some sort of pawn in whatever game the coven is playing.” I could feel his desperation through the bond, even if he looked cool as a cucumber on the outside.
I can’t, I told him through the bond. Leaving would mean a fight.
Dastien wasn’t scared of fighting, but that was exactly what I’d been trying to avoid. “At least we sort of know why they told Luciana.” I bit my lip as I considered the situation. “They’ve helped us twice. I have a feeling these weeks are about repaying the favor.”
“I have a feeling you’re right.”
The doorbell rang. “Time for the dog to leave.” Luciana’s voice filled the house.
Dastien growled and I stepped into him, wrapping my arms around his waist. Calm down.
I hate her.
I’m pretty sure the feeling is mutual.
Luciana was waiting in the living room, but neither of us said a word to her as we walked out the front door.
When we got to the front gate, Dastien took off his shoes, shirt, and pants, but left on his boxer briefs. He handed it all to me, but I wasn’t paying attention. The sight of him took my breath away.
“Cherie?” He reached to cup my chin.