Free Blood and Loss (Cassandra Myles Witch Series) by Electa Graham Page B

tonight. If he is dead set against it, I’ll move in here.”
    “Lucius goes with you tonight , Cassandra. You can talk to Declan and decide where you stay tomorrow, but I am not willing to chance your safety.”
    “ So there is nothing I can do to change your mind?” When he remained silent, I turned to Lucius. “Are you all ready, roomie?”
    He scowled at me. “I have to gather my things. I will meet you at the car.”
    I waited until he left. “Isn’t there anyone else who could do this job? Lucius hates me.”
    “Lucius is hard to get to know, bu t there is no one I trust more. He does not hate you; in fact, he always talks about you very fondly.”
    I found it hard to believe the big bag walked around singing my praises. “Fine, if it will make you feel better , I am sure we can make this work.” My words had to be forced out. This was a nightmare.
    “ Now, I have one more request that I hope you find a little easier to say ‘yes’ to.” He gathered me in his arms; his breath tickled my ear. “I want to be your mentor when you have the geis removed.”
    My heart was beating so fast I thought it would come out of my chest. I hadn’t even thought of who would mentor me. I certainly never thought it would be a druid. When you graduate from the academy, you had to have someone oversee your progress and help guide you. Some had a mentor for only a couple years and some kept that bond forever. “I would be honored, Quintus. Are you sure you want to?”
    “Why do you think that when I do things for you it is such a great chore? Did it ever occur to you that I ask for my own selfish reasons?”
    I realized we were still in each other’s arms. It felt more intimate than I was comfortable with. I untangled myself from him. He grabbed my hand and kissed it before I pulled away. I just smiled and walked left. I was so smooth. I could teach a class on how to be surrounded by gorgeous men and have none of them ever make a move on you.
     
     

Chapter 7
     
    We pulled into my driveway. I leaned my forehead on the steering wheel. Lucius was taking up way too much space in my tiny car and he was going to turn my cozy little bungalow into a wrestling ring. I wondered if moving into my car was a viable solution.
    I could feel his eyes on me and decided to ignore him. “Why are we staying here and not going into the house?” He sounded bored.
    I rolled my head to the side so I could look at him. Seriously, it had to be Lucius. “When we go in there , Declan is going to go ballistic. There will be fighting and screaming, so I am just enjoying my last few moments of peace.”
    “If that is your only reason , then we can go in. Your roommate isn’t home.”
    “How do you know?”
    “There are no heartbeats in your house.”
    Lovely, how nice . I wondered if there are any other little tricks he could do. I had worked for vampires for five years and I still couldn’t get used to all their superpowers. I was relieved I could put off the Declan debacle. It wasn’t going to be any easier in the morning, but at least I didn’t have to deal with it now.
    When we got in and Lucius pointed to my room. “Is this your room?”
    “Yes .”
    He proceeded to put his bags in there. “What the hell are you doing?” My voice had more panic than anger in it.
    “I am putting my things in our room.”
    “Oh no, there is no ‘our’ room. You can have the couch.” I was beyond angry and he was looking at me with those calm blue eyes. My feelings didn’t seem to bother him in the least.
    “I am staying in y our room with you. If I stay out here, you could be gone before I even know there is anything wrong. The fae have magic that can transport you away instantly. I am going to stay as close to you as possible.”
    “You are not sleeping in my room.” Declan’s head was going to explode.
    “I don’t sleep. I only rest. I will be able to watch over you while you slumber.”
    “That is supposed to make me fe el better?