Her gaze darted away from him, she shook her head and looked at him again. "I can't."
Relief filled him as she finally admitted it. He couldn't stop himself from touching her porcelain cheek. Her eyes drifted closed as she turned into his hand. There had been many women over the years but right now, he couldn't remember a single one. Her skin was like satin beneath his fingers as he slid them over her cheek and into her hair. Her lips parted, the last of her ire faded as he pulled her a step closer. He relished in the fact that he affected her as much as she affected him but that realization fled his mind as he was drawn to her like a bee to a flower.
Her fingers curled around his arms as his mouth claimed hers. His body became more rigid as he caught the lingering taste of his blood within her mouth. He could smell it within her veins, drifting through her system, marking her as his. The last thing he had expected, or wanted upon walking into this town, was to be irrevocably bound to someone for an eternity, but as he touched the warm recesses of her mouth, he knew he never would have changed a thing.
The distant ring of a bell going off grudgingly pulled him away from her. His gaze drifted to the backroom Ellen and Kara had disappeared into as the bell began to ring again. "Must be some new instrument," Hannah murmured. "Ellen is always playing with them."
"She is talented," he remarked. "Are you ready to head back to the tavern now?"
She gave a brief nod. "Just let me get Ellen."
He took a reluctant step back to allow her to pass by him. He walked to the front door and peered out at the shadows that had settled over the town. Candles and lanterns flickered in the windows of the homes and businesses lining the street. All of the buildings were lit, except for one.
An uneasy feeling settled in his stomach, he grabbed hold of the knob and pulled the door open. The cool air brushed over his skin and worked its way through his clothing when he stepped onto the walkway. His gaze remained focused on Calvin's somber house as humans and vampires brushed by him. He didn't pay them any attention though as he took a step closer to the house at the end of the road. There was absolutely no movement over there, not even the dogs were patrolling the gates.
He stretched his hand back for Hannah's as the door opened behind him. He didn't have to look to know that she was the first one to emerge. "What's wrong?" she asked as her hand slid into his.
"There's no movement at Calvin's house."
Her gaze drifted down the street to the eerily tranquil house. "That's strange," she murmured. "I'm sure he's just out around town somewhere."
"I'm not so sure," he said. "Come on, let's get you back."
He kept hold of her hand as he stepped onto the road with her. The tambourine in Ellen's hand jingled as she walked beside Hannah. Ellen tapped out a melodious beat against her thigh as she moved. She was seemingly unaware of the song she wove through the night but men and women stopped to listen as she walked past them. Though there were many people on the street tonight, he didn't see Calvin or any of his cronies amongst them.
He held the door to the tavern open for Hannah and Ellen as he stepped back to let them enter. He spotted Braith and the others amongst the crowd of the tavern. Braith's head tilted toward him as he approached, Aria stopped in the middle of dealing the cards in her hand. A dark eyebrow rose questioningly as her gaze drifted to his hand, wrapped within Hannah's.
"What's going on?" Braith demanded.
"There are no lights on at Calvin's house, I've got a feeling that something's not right," Jack told him bluntly.
Braith dropped his cards on the table and rose. William and Daniel stood beside him. Timber and Xavier looked up from the table where they had been rolling dice. Aria grabbed her bow and arrows and hopped to her feet as she slung them over her back. "I'd prefer if you stayed here," Braith told her.
Aria's braid fell over her shoulder as she shook her head. "Not going to happen."
A muscle in Braith's cheek twitched but he didn't protest any further. Jack used to find his brother's irritation amusing, now he found himself sympathizing. As Hannah's eyes met his he realized there wasn't anything he wouldn't do to keep her safe. "I'd like to come too," she told him.
Jack's jaw clenched but he gave her a brief nod. Truth be told, he'd prefer to have her near him anyway. "We should check the donation center first," Jack told them. "I know he spends a fair amount of time there."
"Fine, let's go," Braith said.
CHAPTER 20
Hannah remained outside of the donation center with Aria and Xavier. The handsome vampire blended in with the shadows, his chocolate eyes scanned the gloom surrounding them. Though they didn't speak, she picked up on an unspoken understanding between Xavier and the queen as Xavier paced back and forth on the sidewalk before the stairs.
"Jack is a good man," Aria said from her position to the right of the front door.
"He is," she agreed as she forced herself to meet Aria's straightforward gaze.
A small smile curved Aria's mouth as her head tilted to the side. "I think he's been a little lost this past year, as has my brother, but it seems like Jack is beginning to find his way. Sometimes all that is needed is a helping hand to assist someone through their most dismal times."
Hannah was having difficulty finding her voice. "Do you mean me?" she managed to get out.
"I hope so."
Unexpected tears burned her eyes and she found herself unable to meet Aria's gaze anymore. "It's all so strange, he's a prince and I'm an Undesirable..."
"A what?" Aria interrupted as Xavier stopped in the middle of his patrol.