Page 50 of Twice Bitten

Leo inhaled and shook his head. “You didn’t heed my advice.”

“It was good advice,” I admitted. “But given too late. Alric was already too interested in me the moment he found out I was still alive.”

Leo’s fingers still tapped on the steering wheel, a strangely nervous gesture for a vampire. “What’s special about you?”

I laughed. “Absolutely nothing. I’m a hedgewitch who got in way over my head by accident, and I have no idea how to fix this.”

“Too late again,” Leo said. “You’re the only person who’s ever struck a successful blow against the Prime in…” His voice trailed off. “Ever. I’ve never seen anyone harm Alric.” I noticed his fingers begin to tremble. “You hurt the Prime. Vampires have long memories.”

“I sure as hell hope he remembers this night.”

Leo turned onto my street. “You may regret those words.”

The sight of my house was the best thing I’d seen in hours. “Thanks for the ride.”

His lips twitched. “Thanks for not stabbing me with a rose.”

He pulled into my driveway and unlocked the doors.

“It was a peony,” I said as I slid from the car. “Big difference.”

Leo flashed a smile. “Have a good evening. Don’t forget to lock your doors.”

“Tonight is the one night I won’t forget,” I assured him.

Once I was safe behind closed doors, Leo pulled away from the curb. I sagged against the foyer table and let out a slow, deep breath.

“Bad night?” Edmund asked, his voice echoing in the hallway.

An almost hysterical laugh rose. “I stabbed the Prime.”

A long silence. “Do I need to fortify the house against a potential invasion?”

I tossed my keys into the bowl on top of the table and hung my purse on the coat rack. “I’m not sure how to respond to that. Do we have fortifications prepared for an invasion?”

“Of course we do,” Edmund said, as if having such a thing was perfectly normal.

“Right.” I sighed and began rubbing the rapidly stiffening muscles in my neck. I’d have a glorious handprint bruise tomorrow. “Just keep an eye out for vampires. The Prime didn’t react as strongly as I suspected him to, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts sniffing around soon.”

The moment I stabbed him I expected to be dead. While I was glad that didn’t happen, the alternative might be worse.

“Very well, Alex. Don’t forget your favorite pajamas are in the dryer. Would you like me to set the wrinkle refresh cycle on so they’ll be warm?”

I flashed him a grateful smile. “That would be wonderful.”

“Done.”

I pushed away from the wall and padded toward the bedroom.

“Oh, and Alex?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m glad you stabbed him.”

I let out a huff of laughter. “Me too. The guy’s a total prick.”

The next morning while I was enjoying coffee in the sunroom, the doorbell rang.