She digested that. “Perhaps it’s wrong of me to ask this, but . . . Evan. He doesn’t seem as strong as most vampires his age. Regarding the sunlight, I mean. Did his childhood disease somehow cause that?”
“Aye.” Niall took his time expanding on the answer, giving Alanna the sense that it was a question that preyed on the servant’s mind as well. “Uthe had Brian take a look at Evan a couple decades ago, when Brian first got their attention with his research. That’s how Evan knows him. They’ve stayed in contact, became friends. Evan respects Brian’s field.”
“It makes sense,” she observed. “His focus is different from that of most vampires, much like Evan’s.”
Niall inclined his head. “Brian thinks Evan’s mortal wasting disease, how close he was to death at turning, affected him. The abilities that grow with a vampire’s age mature slower for him. His sensitivity to sun is like a hundred-year-old vampire’s. Same with speed, agility, the whole package. Since a vampire can sense the strength of another vampire and estimates his age based on it, Evan’s often taken for far younger than he is.”
Alanna now fully understood Niall’s concerns about the risks their Master took, but he gave her a reassuring look, a wink. “He’s far stronger than us humans, of course, but in the vampire world, he’s the gym class runt.”
At her disparaging look, he held up a hand. “That’s his description, not mine.”
“And yet he travels across territories where he might run afoul of vampires far stronger than him.”
“What he lacks in strength, he makes up for in intelligence, diplomacy. Sheer cleverness. He’s also got a hell of a poker face. Not much rattles him. Even when things should,” he added darkly.
“You worry for him, but he’s brave.” She considered it. “Most vampires don’t have to be brave. They follow the political path, fall in line with the hierarchy, and rely on their age and strength to make their way.”
“That’s not his focus.”
“You admire it,” she realized. “Even as his motives elude your understanding at times. To a brilliant man, the complex is obvious, leaving the rest of us searching for answers.”
“Didnae swell his head too much. He’s aggravating enough already.” Niall switched gears on her. “Is psychotherapy part of the whole InhServ training?”
“Somewhat, yes. I’m supposed to anticipate my Master’s needs, understand those around him, anticipate their moves and feelings as well.”
He sighed. “Can ye turn it off awhile and be a lass all aflutter about dress shopping?”
Alanna had no clue what such a person would act like, but she nodded demurely. When he reached over and squeezed her knee at the ticklish point, making her jump and pull away, he winked at her. In retaliation, she took the playlist back to “Eye of the Tiger” and fended off his attempts to change it. His pokes at her side to tickle her and get the player controls away from her had her laughing in no time.
She’d hit a few raw nerves, but seeing the grin that covered his handsome features and stayed there, the earlier shadows driven away, proved that his playing with her successfully turned his thoughts to a better place.
It gave her a sense of satisfaction, the feeling that she’d served both Master and servant well. For the moment, that was enough.
13
OH, damn it. The sudden surge of panic was an unwelcome disruption. For the last forty-five minutes they’d listened to music and enjoyed casual conversation, the city skyline of Asheville rising before them as they descended from the mountains.
However, now she remembered. Due to all the new experiences the day had brought, as well as Niall’s impatience to get going, she’d forgotten to bring the blocker, and she was due for it. She cringed inwardly, recalling Lord Brian’s stern admonishment. Never forget to take it at the proscribed time.
Damn it, damn it, damn it.
They had a full to-do list. If it was only about her dress, she might say something, but they had a list of items for Evan. She was not going to inconvenience her Master by making this a wasted trip. It would be okay. There had to be some residual effect from one blocker to another. She’d manage.
She turned her attention to the passing scenery. The garish tourist traps were of particular interest, with everything from chain saw-carved wooden black bears—similar but not as well-done as Henry’s—to dream catchers fluttering in the wind, feathers dyed in bright colors.
“Okay?” Niall’s hand was on her shoulder. He’d picked up on her worry. Since it was noon, Evan would be well asleep, but he’d likely deduced it on his own. The Scot was quite intuitive.
“Fine. Just . . . I like the quiet at our cabin.”
Our came out without thought. Home was wherever her vampire Master was, but she realized that it felt like home to her. Despite her uncertainty of how best to serve Evan and Niall, the short span of her time with them, she realized she’d embraced the peace and quiet pace of their existence like a drowning swimmer reaching land. A sanctuary.
Brushing his knuckles over her cheek, Niall turned into the parking lot of a camera shop. “I do, too. I expect serious sexual compensation for the sacrifice o’ taking ye to a mall, muirnín.”
“But I didn’t ask you to take me,” she pointed out.
“I’ll still expect payment.”
When she imagined what type of payment she could give him, a warmth expanded in her lower vitals, helping to dispel the tension about the blocker. It was going to be okay.
Niall let her trail after him in the camera shop, though they weren’t there long, since the shop already had the items Niall had ordered on a previous trip. The next stop was unexpected. It was a lingerie store, with a variety of fetish offerings discreetly offered in the back. Once again, Niall picked up a boxed package. He held the door for her, taking her back outside the shop before he explained.
“Evan anticipated ye going to the wedding with us, so he had me order a couple things several weeks ago for the postwedding celebration. Nope.” When she reached for it, he held it over his head. “Ye cannae open it yet. I’ll want to see ye in it, and then we’ll be arrested for what I’ll do to ye, right here.”
She eyed the package as he set it in the back. “What kind of postwedding celebration requires something like that?”
“The wedding hosts are a Master and Mistress. There’s a private party the night after the wedding for guests who like bondage play.”
Her jaw dropped. “You and Evan . . . play with humans?”
“A vampire and servant blend in that environment, no? And dinnae worry, ’tis easy compared to vampire dinners. They believe in rules, pain thresholds, boundaries. All that silly stuff,” he added with a wink.
He parked them outside the mall. When he helped her out of the car, something he insisted on doing, he retained her hand. “Your fingers are cold, muirnín.” He tucked them under his arm. “Ye should have brought a sweater. I should have brought one for ye.”
“You’re not required to take care of me,” she reminded him. “I’m fine.”
He opened the door for an elderly woman in a wheelchair, being pushed by a friend, and nodded courteously to them. Then he gestured to the tent provided by his arm, indicating Alanna should precede him. “I’m not going through a door in front o’ a woman unless a threat’s waiting on her,” he said when she hesitated. “And in a women’s clothing store, I’m far more worried about my well-being than yours.”
He was irreverent and irrepressible. She liked that about him, very much. Especially when, as she moved under his arm, a high enough arch she didn’t even have to duck her head, he caught her waist to stop her, bent and kissed her throat, an incredibly intimate caress, his fingers tight on her hip.
“It is my job to care for ye, lass. In every way.”
Her insides dissolved at the heat in his eyes, his voice. She had to stay in place for a blink of time, a little dizzy from it. She’d gripped his side without realizing it, and he gave her a brief, firm embrace before nudging her gently into the store, discreetly squeezing her backside.
“So the wedding and proper reception are an evening thing, more formal, but also outdoors, on a Southern plantation. Should be warm, even with it being fall. I’m thinking the less fabric the better.” He gave her a wink.
“Of course,” she said dryly. She fingered a garish, colorful muumuu. “Nothing absorbs perspiration like a serviceable cotton.”
“You’re killin’ me, lass. Killin’ my fantasies, right here.”
She nudged him with her hip, and he bumped her back. “So what would my Master prefer?”
“Whatever ye like. Pick some other things as well. After the wedding, we’re going tae an art colony. It’s not hiking terrain, so ye can wear skirts and such. They have a lake, so I’d prefer a bikini.”
“I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but you’d look ridiculous in one.” She wasn’t used to teasing others, but he tended to be infectious, especially when she was rewarded with a broad grin.
“Evan can buy whatever ye like, as long as you aren’t the type of lass needing five-hundred-dollar shoes. Lyssa also gave him some funds for your care, but he willnae use those.”
“Why not?”
He gave her a level glance. “Because you’re ours to care for, lass. Evan may not always seem like it, but he has as much of a man’s sensibilities as any of those ‘lord’ vampires ye know.”
Actually more so, to her way of thinking. She turned her attention to the rounders of clothes, all the more determined to find things Evan would enjoy seeing her wear. Niall as well.
She was an efficient shopper. In fifteen minutes, she’d found several suitable things to try on. Niall had wandered over to the nearby lingerie area, where he was studying a wall of mannequins in an array of lacy bras and panties. Despite the selection being far more tame than the fetish store, he seemed just as fascinated. With his hands tucked in his back pockets and rocking back and forth on his booted heels, he was amusing and captivating passing female shoppers and store clerks.
