Chapter Eight
A warm breeze went across my face. I lay there; hoping I was dreaming. Then I
realized I was not. There was the strong scent of Armand around me. My hands
moved a little and felt his skin. I open my eyes and saw that both of my
hands rested on his bare chest. He was smooth with tight muscular abs. I took
his scent in and understood for the first time in my life, why men and women
mate. It is the feeling of security and acceptance. That is what I felt
snuggled in his arms, which evidently woke my beast up too. I had to build my
shields higher to prevent him from sensing what I really am.
I looked over Armand's sexy chest and saw light coming through the
closed window. Did I forget to open the window? I never sleep with the window
closed. What happened to me last night? I never panic like that. I get
nervous, scared and hide. I just never freak out. Then a thought came to
mind, why is Armand in my bed? I moved my head to peek under the covers, to
see if I was still dressed. "Don't worry I didn't try anything," a deep husky
voice said into the top of my head, "I would rather you be conscious for your
first time with me." He wrapped his arms tighter around my body and nuzzled
the top of my head.
I moved my head to looked into his eyes and asked, "What happen last
night?" "You went into shock about something. Abby and Jason tried to shake
you out of it but weren't successful. Grant and I showed up to check on them.
That's when we saw you." He placed his hand gently on my cheek. "They told me
you were on the phone when you yelled out about something. What was it that
spooked you? Who were you talking to?"
I couldn't tell him the truth. I'm supposed to be alive when Grans
shows up. So I decided to skirt around the truth. "Grans and Papa Rhymi told
me that my father is alive. They found him out of sheer luck." I let out a
sarcastic laugh, "He is the famous Lochlir the healer of Yosemite Park. My
mother knew and never told me. I am not just part Sidhe but also part Dryad
and Pixie." I shook my head, "I knew about Papa Rhymi. I always thought my
gifts came from him. They actually came from my father. How does that make
you feel? You're hot after someone who is half fey."
I wanted to push him away. I knew it. I let a small part of me slip. I let my true eyes show
through. He was startled by what he saw. Something moved behind his eyes and
it frightened me. I pulled myself together. I wanted to take everything back at
that moment. There is something about this man that makes my soul ache. I
hope he doesn't reject me? I waited for him to respond.
It took him a while. There was a look in his eyes that said he didn't
want to believe what he saw. He brought my chin up a notch and brushed his
lips with mine. His lips are so soft, I could kick myself for not trusting
him. He pulled away from me a little in order to sit up. He had me sit next to him.
"Ana, I'm a wereleopard. No matter where I go I will always be feared. Should
I let my guard down? I know what it is like to be rejected by humans. People
these days are insecure around anyone different. They tend to attack first and
ask questions later. I'm happy that you let me see what is underneath your
shields." I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding. He pulled me
into his lap and held me tightly, "I know you have a promise with the Master
of the City." He paused a little then asked. "How about you becoming one of
the pard? Then he can't touch you and I...... we, can protect you from
whoever you are hiding from."
"You don't know what you are asking of me, Armand." I stated. "It is
hard to break with a Master Vampire. I have seen many try and fail. Let me
deal with the Master the way I know how." He started to speak but I shut him
up by kissing his lips and said, "Shhh, I will consider joining the pard if
you still want me to. I only want you to know the Master is not the tyrant
that you make him out to be."
"How can you say such a thing!" He pushed me off his lap and got out
of the bed. A low angry growl left his lips and he started to pace like a
caged animal. "The last Master ruled with brute force. How can you be so sure
this one is different?" He looked at me like I was insane.
I took a shaky breath and said in a calm voice. "I can be sure
because he treats me with respect. I have seen masters and kings rule with
brute force. Logan is different. Everyday there is a request from one rogue
vampire or another for safety in his lands. His numbers grow weekly. How can
he have a strong territory if he can't maintain peace? I have been in the city
for two months. There was a sense of mutual respect. The shifters stayed on
one side of the city and the vampires were on the other. Now fighting has
started." My voice began to rise a little. I was becoming emotional. I had to
control them or reveal who I am. I took steady breaths to calm myself.
"The fights have started because the vampires started them!" Armand
exclaimed, "We are just defending are rights to live here. I will make you my
mate, only if you stay away from the Master."
Hearing those words come from his mouth made my heart break. How can
I tell him I am the Master's Animal to Call? How can I explain to him what I
truly am? I took a deep breath and held the tears at bay. I answered his
ultimatum in a shaky breath, "Then I guess I should say, it has been nice
meeting you, Armand. Unfortunately, the path I have chosen doesn't go your
way. I wish you luck in deciding which two female alphas that is going to be
your mate." I struggled to get off the bed and then headed for the door. I
didn't look back. I went straight into the bathroom, closed and locked the
door. Once I had privacy the tears started to roll down my face. I turned
the water on in the shower and cried because I felt so betrayed by my mother.
Keeping this secret of my father from me and for the love I heard in
Armand's voice this morning. My only choice; breaking my heart. Adam is here
now, so why don't I just walk out onto the street and wait for him to pick
me up?
I felt so stupid. I was getting my heart torn out all over again. At
least this time I didn't have soda thrown into my face or cruel things
written on my locker. It was over before it began. I undressed and stepped
into the hot water. Maybe I can wash away some of the pain. Grans is right, I
took too much of a risk in moving here. I need to find another place to live
and soon. I'll wait until Grans and Papa Rhymi arrive. Then we can decide
where I can move to.
I stepped out of the shower a little lighter than I went in. I
wrapped up in a large purple towel. Yes, the purple and black decor has also
found the bathroom. I unlocked the door and went to my room. Armand was gone
but he left a little message behind. The sheets, pillows and comforter were
shredded. I'm surprised he left the bed alone.
"I stopped him before he touched the bed." Abby was standing in the
middle of the hallway. "What were you two arguing about?" She asked.
"He wanted me to leave the Master and I said I couldn't."
"Are you the Master's human servant?"
"No, I'm not," It was the truth. Why tell more?
"Then why won't you leave the Master?"
Well, I hoped I could get out of the Logan subject without saying
anything else. I must avoid the subject to survive. "Abby, it looks like this
arrangement isn't going to work out after all. I'll give you the money we
agreed upon for the month. I'm afraid I will be moving before the week is
out." I turned to face her. "I am very sorry that I imposed on your life like
this. I just didn't count on having such a problem with knowing vampires."
Abby walked closer and took my hands, "Hey girl, I've known you for
two months. You are the only person at school who didn't run away from
knowing what I am. I don't have any problems with vamps. I just don't care
for their life style. There isn't much fun living only for the night. Tried
it, hate it. Let me try and talk to him. I can make Armand come around.
Before you know it, he will be standing in my living room with flowers in
hand, asking you out for your birthday." I smiled. She could always make me
smile. I just knew it wouldn't happen. "Thank you, Abby. Don't go to any
trouble. I'm going to celebrate my birthday the way I have for the past
eleven years. Make myself a cake and watch movies all night."
"No way, girl! You and I will take our dates out tomorrow. Don't make
any plans because I will do the planning. You need to wear something sexy and
maybe do something different to your hair." She hugged me and left the hall
in a hurry. She was mumbling something about having a lot of work to do
before tomorrow night. I laughed at the thought of Abby blackmailing Armand
into going out tomorrow. Enough of this misery. I have school in twenty
minutes.
Index