Chapter 16
Alex took her time heading home. What started out as a quick run at eight, dragged until after noon. She was proud of herself, annoyed at Collum, super turned on, and confused about how she could be, with everything else going on. She refused to look at Glenn, angry at him for ratting out her location to Collum. Thankfully, he didn’t try to engage with her. When he shifted back into his human form she noticed his purple silk shirt and matching dress shoes, but refused to give him the satisfaction of complimenting his outfit.
She ran into Domhall on her way back into the house.
He looked at her wet hair and said, “So, how was the run? Tempting?”
She ignored his jibe. “It was fine. I’m on my way to take a shower.”
“Doesn’t seem fine. You know, we can leave anytime you want, right?”
“What are you talking about? I need to be here to find the witch.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. Collum isn’t the only one that can teach you. Some of us may have methods far preferable to his.”
She dripped water on Glenn’s perfectly polished floor and studied her grandfather. “Why did you agree my mother should marry the dragon? Why are you here, Domhall?”
“Who told you about that?”
“Aunt Quinn. If you hadn’t interfered, none of this would’ve happened and I might know who I am.”
His face twisted. Electricity in the room flickered on and off and a blue light surrounded him. “I’m here because you are my flesh and blood. You shouldn’t be here with him. No dragon should be near my blood.”
“But you agreed. You’re an elder. Quinn said it was the elders who forced my mother to be with that killer.”
“That’s all they are you know. Killers. Every one of them.” He spun around pointing at the walls. “This was his house too. She would have lived here—in this hovel.”
“You haven’t answered my question.”
He shook his blond hair around his face. “You naïve thing. This isn’t even about you.”
Alex retreated from the crazed light in his eyes and stepped right into a hard chest. Heat formed a wall around her.
Collum spoke quietly. Placed comforting hands on her shoulders. “Dom, you’re frightening your grandchild. This isn’t the time or place.”
“You, you’re nothing but a beast.”
“I know, but I’ll keep her safe.”
“From who?”
“From you. Take a breath for me, buddy.”
“You aren’t the saint the world thinks.”
“No, I’m not.”
Domhall shifted and the light around him changed to a pale aqua shade. “She doesn’t have to be kept safe from me. I’m her grandfather.”
Collum slowly pulled her behind him before replying, “Then stop scaring her, Dom. Get your shit under control.”
The light around Domhall faded. He backed away from them both. “I . . . I’m sorry. It’s this place. We shouldn’t be here.”
Collum simply nodded. “We’ll leave soon.”
Alex watched her grandfather leave without looking at her. She placed her face against Collum’s spine.
He let out a breath and stepped away from her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay, but what was that?”
“That was Domhall. I told you he was close to the edge. Promise me you won’t be alone with him again.”
“I can’t believe he would hurt me.”
“Maybe not intentionally. But he’s unpredictable. While he is inside the wards, it will prove . . . difficult for me to stop him if he loses it. Maybe hang out in your room until dinner.
“I don’t want to be alone.”
“Yes, you do.”
She breathed in the scent of him. “I think I’d know what I want.”
He placed his hands on her hair and curled his fingers around the wet strands. “Do you? Because I do. I knew the minute I saw you in that ugly housecoat in Quinn’s kitchen.” He nudged her toward her room. Said, “Now, go away before I do something I regret,” before pulling his cell phone out of his pocket and walking away from her, again.
As she hurried down the corridor to her room, she realized their time was inevitable. He was demanding and pompous, infuriating and bossy. And she was incredibly, unabashedly, excited by the prospect of being with him. She closed her bedroom door, wondering if she was ready.