Page 10 of The Vampire Trap
“I merely gave you the choice to call me by my name, but if you prefer to use titles, then that’s fine.” His expression turns devious. “It just seemed we should be on a first name basis since you snuck off to my bedroom and waited for me in the dark.” The viscount shifts without moving closer. He feels every inch the predictor.
My earlier blush returns, burning my cheeks worse than before. It stings, like being poked with a thousand red-hot needles. I’ve no doubt he can see it. I hide my hands in the folds of my skirt so he can’t see how hard I am clenching my fists.
“I assure you, Lord Morgan, if that is what you truly think, then I must regretfully inform you that you are gravely mistaken,” I bite out each word. Maintaining my composure without words or actions that would bring a swift death is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. At least it feels that way in this moment.
“Gravely?” he echoes with a mocking tone. “I had no idea it was so serious. Please, accept my apologies, Lady Hall.” He places emphasis on my title with a smirk. “Though, I don’t believe, for one second, that you regretted telling me so.”
I stare him down. For several long moments, neither of us moves or speaks. He watches me with a placid expression.
But I will not be intimidated. I refuse.
Slowly, his lips pull into a frown, then he looks away with a heavy sigh. He scratches the back of his head. I expect him to start muttering next. Instead, he faces me again, holding both hands up in surrender.
“Forgive me. There seems to be some miscommunication between us. I did not mean to upset you.” The viscount’s shoulders droop slightly as he adds, “I have never had such a difficult time flirting with anyone.”
That is unexpected.
“Flirting?” My voice is shrill. I clear my throat and try again. “You were… flirting with me?” Demon shit. My stomach twists into knots. I really hope I hadn’t offended him enough to retaliate.
“Yes, Lady Hall, flirting. And since I have made a mess out of our first conversation, I will risk my own embarrassment and admit that I think you are beautiful. Though it was your peculiar reaction when you first arrived that intrigued me.”
Frowning, I ask, “What was so odd about that?”
“You looked genuinely shocked to find out I’m a vampire.”
“No, I wasn’t,” I say too quickly.
He arches a dark brow. “Are you sure?”
“Yes! I bet my life on it.”
“If you want to bet, I could compel the truth out of you to see which of us is right.” He hums thoughtfully to himself. “Of course, we will need to decide what the winner gets beforehand.”
I groan and cover my face with my hands. “Fine.”
“What was that? I can’t hear you while you attempt to smother yourself.”
I drop my arms to my sides. “Fine, you were partially right. I was a bit shocked—but I already knew you were a vampire. It’s different hearing others talk about it and finally seeing for myself.”
“I am curious to know what you thought I was doing.”
Catch me off guard so you could kill me.
“I wasn’t sure,” I say slowly. Almost too late, I remember my plan to befriend him. “Lord—no… Thomas.”
The knot in his throat bobs. “Thank you, Zadie. I really would like to get to know you—more so after this. You are endlessly intriguing.”
“You want to be friends?” I say stupidly.
Why yes, Benjamin, I have become the best of friends with the vampire who has been running around murdering innocents for months. He probably doesn’t kill his friends. What could be better?
One corner of his mouth crooks up in a wry smile.
Lord—no. I should think of him as Thomas. Otherwise, this won’t work—Thomas half turns and holds out his elbow. “Shall we return before someone notices that we are both missing? I wouldn’t want word to get back to the duke and cause unnecessary trouble for you.”
I can feel my pulse thudding wildly in my neck. With one deep breath, I tell myself everything will be all right. The plan has changed slightly, but there is no helping that. It will be easier this way.
Then I hold my head high, stride over to him, then take his arm. I can feel his warmth under his jacket. There is so much about him that confuses me. I thought vampires were as cold as corpses, that their irises were the dull red of drying blood, and the ones the vampire queen created would be so twisted by the bond with their demon that
