Amusement flared in his eye, his expression saying he recognized my explanation for what it was: a lie. He had incredibly long lashes and beautiful eyes. Sapphire came to mind but…

Grinding my teeth at my weird behavior, I started toward the driver’s seat, going for that space between us before I did something stupid like reach out and touch him or continue gazing into his eyes like a lovesick dimwit.

“Aren’t you going to tell them you hit their mailbox? I mean, it’s against the law to flee a crime scene and all that.”

I glared at him. “I will talk to them when they come home from work. For now, I plan on leaving them a note. Not that it’s any of your business.” I searched inside the glove compartment for a notepad or anything to write on, but found nothing.

“I could explain to them what happened if you’d like,” he offered in a gentle voice. “You know, share the responsibility. After all, I did distract you.”

Seriously, how could someone so beautiful and tempting be so arrogant and annoying? I counted from ten to one then said slowly, “I don’t need your help.”

“Actually, you do.”

“No, I don’t.” I marched to my house, conscious of Blue Eyes watching me. Sure enough, when I looked back, just before I entered the house, his eyes were locked on me, an amused smile on his lips. What was he so happy about? And why couldn’t he just go away?

I pulled a piece of ruled paper from my folder and scribbled an apology with unsteady hands, then went to Dad’s home office for a large manila envelope. Times like this, I missed him more. My eyes welled.

I blinked hard and put everything from the Petersons’ mailbox into the large envelope before taping my note on the outside. I’d have to figure out how to pay for a new mailbox. Mom didn’t like me working at the shop ever since I broke a few mirrors last summer, and jobs were hard to come by because of the bad economy. Something would come to me once I was calmer. Right now, I just wanted to get my butt to the pool and lose myself swimming.

I paused to calm myself before leaving the house.

Blue Eyes was studying the damaged mailbox like an insurance adjuster. Why couldn’t he go bother someone else? Or at least put on a shirt?

“Excuse me.” I skirted around him and propped the manila envelope against the crooked pole.

“I can fix this before they come home,” he said.

I eyed him suspiciously. “Really? How?”

A weird expression crossed his face, but his eyes were watchful as though he couldn’t wait to see my reaction. “Magic.”

“Magic?” My hands fisted. I was in trouble, and he was messing around. “You know what? Stay away from me, Blue Eyes. Don’t talk to me or even acknowledge we know each other when our paths cross again. ”

“Blue Eyes?” he asked, eyebrows cocked.

“That’s me playing nice.”

He laughed. “Look, Freckles—”

“Don’t call me that.” I hated that nickname. It was a reminder of the hated spots on the bridge of my nose and the teasing I’d endured in elementary school. I slid behind the wheel, started the car, and took off. I was careful not to drive too fast even though I wanted to floor the gas pedal.

I could see Blue Eyes watching me as he grew smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror, until I left our cul-de-sac and turned right. My day had just gone down the toilet.

Relentless

Karen Lynch

Excerpt

The motorcycle came up behind me as I passed the city limit sign. I did not turn around and the Ducati purred behind me like a big hungry cat all the way downtown. I considered making a run for the door when I got home but apparently Nikolas had anticipated that. When we hit the waterfront he went on ahead and by the time I reached home he was standing by the corner of the building with his arms crossed and wearing a scowl that made me want to turn around and ride the other way. His moods changed so fast it was hard to keep up with them. The angry man waiting for me now did not resemble the person who had given me his coat and watched over me while I slept two nights ago.

“Did you not learn anything the other night?” he demanded, taking a step toward me. “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

Swallowing dryly, I got off my bike and walked it toward him. “Of course not.” There was no way I could tell him that I’d been quite safe with a troll who could handle any threat to me.

“No?” His eyes darkened. “Do you want to tell me where you had to sneak off to that was so important?”

“No,” I replied, ignoring the command in his voice.

His jaw clenched and I knew he was furious but I wasn’t going to cower to him. I did not have to explain my every move to him.

“There is nothing but woods for miles south of town. What were you doing out there?”

Instead of answering his question I asked, “How did you find me anyway? Did you put one of those trackers on my bike too?”

“No but maybe I should.”

“No you should not!” I sputtered. I couldn’t tell if he was serious or not but right now I would not put it past him. “I’m not helpless, you know and I don’t need you guys following me around twenty-four seven. I took care of myself pretty well before you came along.”

Nikolas cocked his head and one corner of his mouth lifted arrogantly. “Yes, I can see how well you do on your own,” he drawled in an infuriatingly condescending tone. “I’m amazed you lived this long.”

It hurt that he thought so little of me but I refused to let him know that. More than that, it angered me that I should care about his opinion of me at all. “I’m sorry I’m such a trial to you but no one is asking you to stick around here. You can go back to doing your warrior thing, hunting vampires or whatever you do and forget all about me.”

I moved past him but he did that blurring thing again and I found my way blocked by a wide chest. A hand grabbed my handlebar when I tried to go around him and it felt like my bike was cemented to the ground. He leaned down and spoke with deadly softness into my ear. “If I was a vampire, you’d be dead – or worse.”

My breath hitched and for several seconds I was back in the alley, pressed against the brick wall, unable to move. Shaking off the memory, I glared up at him, hating him for reminding me how weak and helpless I’d felt with Eli. Our eyes met inches apart and the Mori in me shifted restlessly, sending a ripple of some foreign emotion through me. I tore my gaze from his, angry that he had the power to affect even a little part of me.

“Does it even matter?”

“What?”

“You said that day on the wharf that you can’t save every orphan. What difference does one more make?”

Nikolas stiffened and I realized I’d probably just insulted his warrior ego or something. I was tired of this overbearing, he-man routine and it felt good to know that he wasn’t as invincible as he let on.

“Do you mind letting go of my bike?” I asked when he did not respond to my question. “Nate will be home soon and it’s my turn to make dinner.” And I needed to get away from him because he made me feel angry and safe and afraid at the same time and I didn’t know why.

Instead of loosening his grip, he growled, “Khristu! Do you not understand the danger you are in? I know you want to believe you are safe here surrounded by your werewolf friends, but someone went to great lengths sending that pack of crocotta to find you. If it is that vampire, he won’t give up.”

His words made the back of my neck prickle and I remembered the hunger in Eli’s eyes when he had been forced to release me.

Nikolas saw me waver. “If you are honest with yourself, you’ll admit I am right.” He let go of the handlebar and laid a warm hand over one of mine. “I can protect you if you will let me.”