Chapter 14

Lucian’s POV

I didn't lock the door out of spite. Okay, maybe a little. It was my car after all.

Aritzea rattled the handle again, turning to my slowly, eyes narrowed like she was one second away from launching herself to the driver's seat and snapping my neck.

“Is this your twisted little way of asserting dominance?”

I stretched out, fingers tapping lazily against the steering wheel. “No, this is my way of explaining the rules.”

Her eyes narrowed. I smiled slowly, because frustrating her was already becoming one of my favorite pastimes. She was still pissed about the whole arrangement and this wasn't making things any better.

Cute.

“Rule one,” I started, dragging the words out, “don't touch my things.”

She snorted. “Like I want anything in your dusty old vampire castle.”

I ignored that.

“Rule two... stay out of my way.”

Aritzea leaned back against the seat, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded with boredom. “What next, no curfew?”

I smirked. “Would you even listen?”

“Not a chance.”

Exactly what I thought.

“Rule three…” I tapped my fingers on the wheel again, letting the silence stretch just long enough to make her shift in her seat.

Her fingers drummed impatiently against her thigh.

I waited.

She snapped first. “Oh for gods' sake—stop being such a drag and talk.”

My smirk deepened. “I'll tell you when it's necessary.”

Her eyes rolled. Full dramatic flair, too—head tilted, lips parted.

“You're insufferable.”

“Well, thanks for letting me know.”

She muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like leech.

I clicked the lock open with a casual flick of my finger. “Welcome home, darling.”

She pushed the door open harder than necessary, climbing out and slamming it shut behind her. I took my time following, watching as she stopped to take in the house.

The place was modern—all sleek lines and dark glass. Security cameras tucked into corners that most people wouldn't notice. Not a castle, not old and definitely not dusty.

Her nose scrunched a little, like she wanted to hate it but couldn't quite find the reason.

“This where you lure in all your victims?” she muttered.

I grinned. “Only the interesting ones that tickle my fancy, love.”

Her glare cut sideways, sharp and irritated—just how I liked it.

I led her inside and her eyes flicked around, like she was waiting for a secret torture chamber to pop out of the wall.

"You were expecting cobwebs, weren't you?" I said lightly.

Aritzea crossed her arms. "I still am."

I chuckled, amused. “You know, that's the same as saying you wolves live in the forest. Oh wait, you still do.”

She glared at me, her cheeks bulging in anger. “We live in houses, you leech.”

“That are in the forest?”

Her expression contorted and I stifled the laughter threatening to come out as I led her down the hallway, stopping at a door.

"This is your room."

She stepped inside, glancing around. The guest room was spacious with a king-sized bed, soft lighting, a private bathroom and a glass balcony overlooking the city. Everything was neat and perfectly in place.

She shifted from one foot to another, muttering. “Wow, how perfectly soulless.”

She glanced at me out of the corners of her eyes, clearly insinuating something. I didn't mind, leaving against the doorframe as I watched her walk in.

"Oh, wait. There’s just one little thing I forgot to mention."

She glanced at me, already suspicious. "What now?"

I nodded toward the door directly across the hall.

"That's my room."

Her entire face froze for half a second before she recovered, narrowing her eyes.

"You planned this."

I smiled slowly. "Sweet dreams, Aritzea."

Her fingers twitched at her side like she was debating whether or not to punch me.

Honestly? I'd probably let her—just to see what she'd do next.

Instead, she muttered something under her breath and kicked the door shut behind her, leaving me standing there grinning like the smug bastard I was.

I walked back to my own room, hands in my pockets, the faint sound of her frustrated footsteps echoing behind me.

This was going to be fun.

I shouldn't have been this entertained. I shouldn't have cared that she was here, filling up my space with her fire and defiance.

But I did.

Then again, when did I deprive myself of pleasure? Never.

***

Later in the evening, I sat in a chair holding a glass of wine I wasn't really in the mood for. I stared at the door impatiently, waiting for a person to walk right through.

Aritzea had locked herself inside her room since she came and for a second, I wondered if I scared her. But just for a second. The next moment, the door swung open, a blonde man walking through.

Armand.

I raised a brow as I assessed him. “You got run over twice?” I asked.

It was a question worth asking. He looked rough—clothes wrinkled, collar askew and a cut at the corners of his lips. I also caught a glimpse of several red bruises. He looked like he'd been thrown into a blender and spit back out.

“No.” He sighed. I stood up, heading towards my study and he trailed after me, his footsteps dragging in a way that told me he was exhausted—or pissed off. Definitely both.

As soon as we entered the study, he sank into the chair, stretching his legs out with a groan.

“So what happened?” I asked, leaning against the desk, hands folded across my chest.

“My ex.”

“You were dating a boxer?”

He groaned. “No. Her new boyfriend.”

It seemed even more bizarre. “You let a human do this to you?”

Armand groaned. “I didn’t let him, Lucian. He caught me off guard.”

I frowned, sensing what was coming next.

His jaw tightened slightly. “But this guy… I don’t know. There was something wrong about him.”

“Wrong how?” I asked, irritated with how long he was taking.

Armand hesitated, eyes narrowing like he was trying to piece something together. “I can’t explain it. He wasn’t stronger than me, but he was fast. And the way he looked at me… it felt calculated. Measured.”

I leaned back, considering that. “A hunter?”

“That’s the thing.” Armand shook his head. “He didn’t feel like one. No weapons, no silver, no anti-vampire tactics. It was like fighting someone who knew what I was but wasn’t afraid.”

I drummed my fingers against the armrest, thoughtful. “You'll look into this boyfriend. And schedule a meeting with the auction house owner for me.” I stared right at him.

He nodded. “Which one?”

“The one where I met my true love.” I picked up the glass from the table and took a sip of wine.

He stared at me deadpan. “You have a true love?”

I rolled my eyes. “You're such a spoilsport. Aritzea.”

He opened his mouth to say something but a loud call broke the air.

“Lucian Vaughn!!!”