BloodStone: Ice (Book 1)(Completed)

Chapter 11

It had taken all of Titus' will power to allow Ella to make the drive and spend the day away from him. Only Quintus' urging that she desperately needed some space away from them kept him from spending an uncomfortable night in the swamp. Quintus rose early and drew the clouds over the sun which allowed them to make the journey so quickly. They both had breathed a sigh of relief when they found the road that led to the little ranch house with Ella's small black sports car parked outside. Still, seeing the car, was not the same as seeing her safe.

There had been so much horror in her eyes as she had left them. Even as she spoke with the little girl, her eyes kept flickering back to the door to the autopsy room. He knew she was not looking for the medical examiner. She was looking for her friend. And trying not to remember what had been done to him.

He had not expected the surge of jealousy that rushed over him when the hunter opened his door. At first the man looked as if he had not been paying attention. As if there was something more important taking place in his mind. But as they had stepped into the light, and he had taken their measure, the look had turned to cool assessment. Not the kind a fellow hunter gives. But the kind a man gives when he thinks his position with his mate is threatened.

When Ella stepped up behind the man and smiled at them with that icy blue gaze, he could finally let his heart beat again. He knew that she would be fine throughout the day while he rested. But something in him wanted her to be close enough in case she had nightmares.

She led them into the house, banishing its owner to his own kitchen with a reminder of dinner. The living room was large with an entirely glass back wall through which you could see a well manicured garden ,complete with marble columns and statuary. Titus noted that the porch columns had also been marble, not concrete. Obviously the man had money, and a sense of taste. The house was a showcase of thoughtful eye catching objects, that somehow managed to be both old-world, and unobtrusive. A house with an intelligent owner who liked to enjoy his surroundings, and protected what he owned. Obviously all the more reason why he wanted to add Ella to his possessions.

A hand smacked hard into the back of his head. A reprimand. She had been standing behind him. He smiled over his shoulder at her. Her hand had been resting on his arm as she was leading them through the living room and into the dining room.

"You're thoughts are getting closer to the surface, now that you're not so far away anymore. I caught that. I am not someone's possession."

"I didn't say that you were Ella. Only that someone was hoping to make you one." He drew her hand up to his mouth slowly and watched her eyes widen in horror. When he placed a light kiss in the center of her palm he had the satisfaction of watching her eyes go soft and felt the small tremble go through her before she snatched her hand away and began wiping it vigorously against her jeans. Quintus began to laugh.

"Stop that." She snapped. She turned away from him to face the dining room and froze. The table had been laid out with beautiful china and crystal. There was a small clear bowl that held floating iris heads. There were, however, only two place settings. The setting at the head of the table had only a single crystal drinking glass full of milk, while the setting on its left held a tall glass of white wine. There was a figure leaning in the doorway to the kitchen. The other hunter.

"I was just wondering about how to rectify the eating situation." He cleared his throat. "When Cella arrived alone this morning, I assumed that no one else was coming. Later I thought to ask if someone would be coming tonight, but she slept so deeply, that I did not wish to disturb her." He stared at them as if daring them to contradict him. Titus found himself pleased that the man had thought more of Ella's welfare than to wake her to ask her such an inane question.