Page 78 of Rafe

“How old were you?”

“I guess I was around twenty-one or so. I haven’t worn it for a long time. It was in my old bedroom.”

“Is that a crow?”

“Yeah, my dad. He’s got a family of them. He feeds them every day. Even though it’s been years, the babies grow up and then they keep coming.”

“Why’d you move to New Orleans?” Ilsbeth asked.

“I went to college here. I love books. And film. New Orleans has both.”

“But you don’t go to blood clubs, I understand?”

“No.” The skin on her neck tingled as she recalled being bitten. Never again.

“And what about Rafe?”

“Hmm. What? I’m sorry?”

“He claims you.”

“I don’t know what that means. I’m human so…” Skylar shook her head, emotion still swirling in her chest. Her focus drifted to Rafe, who walked toward her, a sexy smile on his face.

“You and my son have found yourselves in quite a quagmire, have you not?”

“What? Oh, sorry.” Skylar’s attention snapped back to the witch, yet she couldn’t remember the question asked.

Ilsbeth smiled and shook her head. “It’s a good thing you’ve come to New Orleans. Now come. Swim before spells. It’s healing.”

“But I didn’t bring a swimsuit. I don’t know if I can⁠—”

“My dear. It wasn’t a request.”

Skylar opened her mouth to speak but shut it as Ilsbeth rose and walked away toward the pool. She glided with grace as if she were a model on a New York runway. Spellbound by her electrifying presence, Skylar watched as the high priestess stripped off her robe revealing a white one-piece bathing suit. She dove into the water, swimming without breath the entirety of the fifty-foot rectangular pool.

Mesmerized by the sight, Skylar watched in fascination as Ilsbeth emerged and turned around, her ice blue eyes piercing through to her soul.

Rafe touched her shoulder, instantly breaking the spell and she jumped in her seat. “Oh, Rafe. I, uh, think she wants us to go in the pool.”

“So I heard.”

“Why the water? Magick?” Skylar brushed a bead of sweat off her temple, the heat intensifying in the afternoon sun.

“Because it’s hot.” Rafe’s low voice rumbled through her, his sexy smile implied more than the weather.

The Alpha’s gaze burned over her skin, her heart pounding in her chest. His bite tingled on her neck, the sensation reaching down her body. She willed the pulsing ache between her legs to recede. As he reached for her hand, she willingly followed, helpless but to yearn for more.

Ilsbeth’s words played in her mind, tempting her like a rich box of chocolates. Was she implying that she and Rafe could be together? Were her words driven by kindness or sadism?

Rafe’s fingers brushed the small of her back. Instinctively she leaned into him, his arm wrapping around her waist. Her heart pounded in her chest, the tendrils of her restraint pulled tight like a rubber band about to snap. She wrapped her hands around her waist and pulled away, determined to keep her distance.

As she steeled her resolve, forcing a shield around her heart, her gaze locked on Ilsbeth. The witch smiled, staring right through her, as if she had read her thoughts. She knew.

13

As the day wore on, Rafe’s beast threatened to reveal itself, his thirst for Skylar becoming insurmountable. He loathed the vampire inside him, the beast craved its nourishment, blood. As if she’d sensed it, she’d pulled away from him. Conflicted, he refused to treat Skylar as food. Though the craving for her tempted him, he cared too much about her to subject her to his addiction.

Greyson waved to him, attracting his attention. “I’ll be back in a second. I need to feed.”