Free Magestorm: The Embracing by Chris Fornwalt Page B

started after several more minutes of silence, “I’m not going to play games.  I care for you, but I’m not going to be used when it’s convenient, and tossed aside when it’s not.  I’m no longer a greeter, and Xander has taught me to stand up for myself.”
    After another extended silence, he was wondering if he could possibly find her more attractive than he did right then.  She was right though.  Either he was in this for real, or he wasn’t and they should part ways.
    “You’re right.  Before this conversation moves and further, can I ask you a question?”
    “Of course.”
    “Have you been with anyone recently?  Like, I don’t know, Tuesday night?”
    “No, why that night in particular?”
    He cleared his throat and wondered if he should really press this.  It was obvious she was having sex that night, and since she wasn’t a greeter anymore, he had to know if she was remotely serious about whoever she had been with.
    “I could sense you having sex that night.  Are you serious at all with him, whoever it is?”
    A smile crept across her face as she realized he had a hint of jealousy in his voice.  It was for no reason, though.
    “I was with myself.  I have needs of my own that need to be filled.  Since you weren’t around, I had to take care of it personally.”
    A laugh shot out of him before he could catch himself.  Her smile remained and the tension was broken at last.
    “In that case, yes, I would like to give us a serious try.”
    “Good.  However, we must be fully honest with us.  What did you think you were protecting me from when you pushed me away?”
    Shit.
    This wasn’t a conversation he was mentally prepared for.  There was no getting out of this now.  He was still deciding how much to say when it just started spilling out.  By the time he was done, he was exhausted.  Then again, it could be from the near-death experience he recently had.  Either way, weakness was consuming him.
    “I know it was probably immature of me to be having relations with you both at the same time.  By the time I tried to end things, she made a threat towards you, and I decided the best thing was for me to leave.”
    Amelia was silent for a few minutes.  Finally it ended as she began to laugh loudly.  It startled him initially, and then he looked at her as though he thought she’d gone crazy.  Gaining control of herself, she smiled at him.
    “First and foremost, no vampire is a remote threat to me.  I would remove her limbs one by one while she tried to do any sort of harm.  Trust me on that.”
    The look in her eye told him she spoke what she believed.  He just wasn’t sure what kind of connections Heather might have, and what kind of numbers she could attack with.  Instead of making any argument, he wisely stayed silent instead while she continued.
    “Secondly, we were not dating before.  Not really, anyway.  I did not expect you to only see me intimately.  That is a different story if we are to date seriously.”
    “Of course.   Just be aware that Heather has shown up again since I’ve returned.”
    “If she tries anything, I will deal with her.”
    A smile crept across his face uncontrollably.  And he had foolishly thought it was him who would protect her.  His thoughts turned to Charles and the council vote that would be coming before long.  The evidence he needed must be in that apartment for them to have assaulted him like this.  It was time to head back.
    “I need to get back and search for answers on what the vampires are up to, and who had the nerve to attack me like this.”
    “You are too weak right now to be alone.  I must insist you come back to my home until you are closer to full strength.”
    Dhane agreed and he went back inside to thank John for saving him in the woods.  When he returned, Amelia grabbed him and kissed him deeply, her hands on his neck, holding him close to her.  His heart raced and he wondered just where this might go as they