“I can’t say I’m happy to see you.”

“Excuse me? What did I do?”

I unwound my legs and dangled them off the side of the bed so that I could look at Micah directly.

“You sprayed my boyfriend with liquid silver and you let Ian Despereaux feed me, which bonded us.” I eyed him with my anger and let the words sink in.

“But…” Micah began, only to stop and think more about what I had told him. “We didn’t know it would form a bond, Gwen.” He paused and silently cursed. “He planned this all along. He bewitched Fiona so we thought she was dead and so that you’d allow him to drink from you, and then he knocked you out with magic because he knew we’d have him feed you to bring you back, forming a bond. I may hate the prick, but he’s clever.” Micah snorted.

“Yeah, and Aiden was trying to stop it but he was too weak from being sprayed with the liquid silver, thanks a lot.” I spat out. I knew that Micah wasn’t solely responsible, but I had a lot of anger stirring within me and I needed to direct it at someone. I found fault with Micah to a certain point making him a fine target for my anger. He may not have known what constituted a bond with a vampire, but he was the reason Aiden couldn’t stop it from happening.

“Aiden would have killed Liam if we hadn’t sprayed him. He’s strong, Gwen. Wyatt and I could have subdued him for a little while, but not long enough to save Liam’s life. Liquid silver was our only option.”

I stared at Micah, my fury aimed right at him but I didn’t speak; it’d be pointless to repeat what I’d already blamed him for. I wanted him to know how pissed I was for what he’d done, whether it was for Liam’s life or not.

“Yeah, well now my life is the one in danger. You guys let Ian get away and I’m bonded to him.”

“We’ll find him, Gwen. We ambushed the warehouse two nights ago and have all of his goons in custody. The VC (Vampire Council) came and killed four of them but the ones that are left are only alive because they are spilling all of the information they know about Ian’s dealings. I suspect that they will be dead by the end of the week though, I don’t trust the VC. Witches’ blood benefits vampires too much for them to really care about taking action to stop it. We’ve learned some interesting things though,” Micah said.

“Yeah, I have a feeling that things are going to come to blows between the VC and the NAWC very soon. You’re lucky you’re a werewolf and not in the middle of the shit storm. What interesting things did you guys learn?” My anger had eased, if only a tiny bit. I was more excited that I had been able to lead Micah to the warehouse where Amy Harper and Bridget Downing had been killed. It was a small victory though; the vampires would just move their operation to another secluded area.

“Remember how you kept saying the main guy was British?” Micah asked and I nodded my head. “Well, Ian’s goons told us that he’s from Bedford, England. He probably disguised his voice while he was around us because the vampires say he normally speaks with an English accent. I wanted to be absolutely certain that Ian was, in fact, the man so I made sure to ask about that. He’s learned how to use the magic very well so that’s why no one could see his face. Without you’re help, we wouldn’t have been able to get this far, thank you, Gwen.” Micah’s eyes showed too much emotion for my liking. I broke eye contact and leaned my elbows on my knees, resting my head in my palm. I focused on the floor instead of the longing in Micah’s eyes.

“Were one of the vampires close to Amy Harper?” I asked, remembering from Amy’s memories that she had definitely known her attacker. Her brother, Anthony, had seemed nervous talking to us.

“Yeah, his name was Jason. He was only three years old, in vampire terms. He was one of the first ones that the VC killed. Amy had started dating him three months before she was killed.”

It was nice to see all the loose ends make some sense. I was still uneasy though. I knew the situation was far from over.

Aiden opened the bedroom door and said, “Sorry to interrupt, but Gwen and I have dinner plans.” I arched an eyebrow at the news but with the mention of food, my stomach grumbled.

“Right, I’ll head out. I just wanted to catch you up on the case. Happy you’re okay, Gwen, and I’m sorry for letting Ian feed you but you have the FPD’s guarantee that we’re doing everything in our power to find Ian and put a stake through his heart.” Micah gave me a small smile and then walked to the door but, before leaving, he turned to Aiden and said, “I’m sorry for spraying you with the liquid silver but we thought it was the only way to stop you from killing Liam. I understand what it’s like loving Gwen, you’d do anything to keep her safe.” Micah looked back at me and then turned and left.

************

Aiden paid to have one of the nicer restaurants in Flora closed for only the two of us. Behind the restaurant was a brick patio, surrounded with wisteria-covered lattice for privacy. White twinkling lights wove through the lattice, making the purple flowers glow.

Our table sat in the middle of a gazebo and the white lights continued around all sides while an elegant light hung from the ceiling and lent a soft glow above our table. I had eaten here three years before, but somehow it seemed more romantic with Aiden on the other side of the table, with the lights reflecting off his sapphire eyes.

A waiter poured us both a glass of champagne while another waiter carried a silver dome-covered dish, placing it in front of me. He removed the lid to reveal an array of seafood, scallops, lobster, and grilled shrimp, on a bed of rice with lemons garnishing the sides. I smiled and looked at Aiden. I had mentioned a long time ago that I loved seafood and it seemed he hadn’t forgotten.

The waiter’s left and soft music began to float on the night air as Aiden and I watched each other over the rims of our glasses.

“Consider this our first official date,” Aiden said with a smile. I had told him that I wanted to go on a few dates before things between us got serious, but things had spiraled out of control while we were on the case and we hadn’t had time for any dates.

“Seems like we’re doing things backwards. Aren’t we supposed to sleep together after dating?” I laughed.

“Oh, I have every intention of sleeping with you after this date,” Aiden said with a devilishly naughty grin. I giggled and a blush rushed to my cheeks from the fire Aiden had ignited.

It was strange eating in front of Aiden since he didn’t eat, but my stomach demanded the food so I tried not to shovel it into my mouth. Aiden watched me close my eyes as I forked a piece of lobster and put it into my mouth. The edges of his pupils had begun to darken with his growing lust and by the time I scooped the last bit of rice into my mouth, we were both ready to enjoy dessert.

**************

Aiden definitely took his time exploring my body and an hour later, we lay next to each other panting and cuddling. He rubbed my arm while I lay on his muscular chest but when his phone rang, I grumbled and moved so that he could answer it.

He excused himself and walked out of the bedroom where I could hear him talking about some order that hadn’t shown up at Vain. I made a note to check on my own inventory and give Penny a raise first thing in the morning. That girl was a peach and more responsible than any other nineteen-year-old I’d ever met.

A slight pain rushed into my head and I cursed that I was getting a headache. But when the pain subsided just as quickly as it had come and a white noise took its place, I sat up. I bunched my eyebrows as I tried to understand where the noise was coming from. Aiden didn’t have a television in his bedroom and the radio was off.

‘Ello, little witch, a voice said in a British accent. I jerked so strongly that I hit my head on the back of Aiden’s headboard. I rubbed the spot and cursed, my eyes roaming the large room for the owner of the voice, for Ian.

I can sense that you just enjoyed Aiden. You’ve got me all randy and it’s your body I’m craving. I will find you, Gwen, and you will be mine. Your body will be beneath me as your lips moan only my name. Until we meet again, little witch.

Aiden stepped back into the room and apologized for the call. He hopped back into bed and noticed that I was frozen with fear.

“Gwen, what’s wrong? What happened?” He was in front of me in a flash, both of his hands gripping my arms. I dragged my eyes to his. Tears dripped against my cheeks as I replayed what Ian had said.

“Ian communicated with me telepathically.” I mumbled. “He said that he’d find me.” I left out all of the dirty stuff Ian said; Aiden didn’t need to hear that part of the conversation.

“Damn it” Aiden said between clenched teeth. He drew me into his arms and said, “I’ll kill him, Gwen, I promise.” I moved back and wiped the tears away, knowing that, from now on, I had to be strong if I had any chance of beating Ian at his own game.

“There was something I tried telling you before, in my bedroom, before Micah interrupted. I don’t know what the future holds for me, Aiden, but I know I want you in it and if tomorrow doesn’t come for me, if Ian finds me before we find him, than you should know…that I love you.” I stared into his eyes and waited for his reaction. My heart pounded against my ribcage but it had felt great to say what I felt. I knew without a doubt that I loved him. But what if he doesn’t love me? Maybe I jumped the gun.

Aiden smiled and laughed. He leaned close to my face so that his lips hovered in front of mine and in a whisper so soft, he said the words that melted my heart.

“You are my past, my present, and my future, all that I am, all that I aim to be is for you, my Gwen. Until my last breath I’ll love you.” Aiden’s lips met mine and I knew that with him beside me, I could handle anything life threw at me.