Page 42 of Mage Massacres

“But hearing your thoughts in my head is an addiction I wasn’t ready for. When Caplin shot you, your mental voice disappeared for hours, and it drove me crazy with worry. Now, I listen. To get to know you better, to understand you more… Just to hear your voice. But I back out of your mind when your thoughts should stay your own.”

Several emotions rolled over her face before she cleared her throat. “That’s—How do I not feel you?”

I shrugged, teasing, “Because I’m always there? You’ve grown used to my presence, so your subconscious knows I’m not a threat.”

“You’re not a threat.”

“Ouch. Wound my manhood a little more. I may be into humiliation. I don’t know, though. I’ve never tried.”

She grinned, shaking her head. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I meant it. Sort of. I’m curious, at the very least.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I’m afraid you’ll have to wait. I’ve got to get ready for tonight. I told Miller I’d solve her ex problem.”

“Mmm,” I acknowledged, noticing her effort to be upfront about her plans. “We’ve heard.”

“Of course, you have.”

I ignored her sarcasm as I asked, “And how do you intend to solve Miller’s issues?”

“Just the one issue tonight,” she corrected, slinking toward her bedroom. “And I’m going to solve it the only way I know how.”

9

Sloane

Wednesday, June 10th

Night

Getting dressed had been a... hard task.

Between the chilly weather and a handsy vampire, it took me twice as long to make myself presentable as it usually would have. Every time Novak would corner me or get too frisky, I’d mist myself to the opposite side of the room with a smirk on my face.

I had somewhere to be.

He’d just have to wait.

He groaned in frustration as his hands swiped at my disappearing body again. “Trouble. I just want a hug.”

“No, you don’t. I can hear you too, you know? You are not thinking about just a hug.”

“I’m not now. Are those pants leather?”

I rolled my eyes.

“The mage will ask if you have a jacket. If all you’re wearing is that strappy bra thing, then you’ll get cold,” he reminded me as we left my room.

One of his grungy flannel shirts landed in my hand. “All covered.”

My vampire grinned. “There’s a difference between being covered by me and by my clothes.”

“I know. The shirt doesn’t grab my ass while I’m trying to get dressed,” I sassed, cutting my gaze at him.

As we rounded the corner to the foyer, he gave me his most serious expression. “What? You expect me not to touch your butt? That’s asking a little too much of me, don't you think?”

I heard Hyland’s voice before I saw her. “Devil forbid you not touch her ass for like four hours. That must be killing you.”