Haunting Shadows (Book 2)

After

Leita stood in the middle of the hall, her hands on hips, her bare hips. Her eyes were frozen over, he lips stretched in a thin line. Andreas took a deep breath. “For heaven’s sake, put on some clothes.”

“Does my nudeness make you uncomfortable?” she challenged, her icy stance giving no hint to warming.

“No, but there happens to be a child living in my house, and she does no need to be exposed to nudity yet.”

“You didn’t strike me as the kind of man that care about how something might influence anyone else.”

Andreas stopped advancing, his eyes hardening. “I typically don’t.”

“Some people are just special?”

“Yes.”

Realizing that was as much of an explanation as Andreas was willing to give, Leita approached him. He remained in his spot as she began circling him, tracing her finger around his torso, an action that would have an arousing effect on any man. An action that didn’t do anything to Andreas in that moment. Leita frowned and stopped in front of him.

“The girl is right, you know? Why do you allow me to stay considering you don’t actually like me?” Andreas must’ve imagined it, but he could swear he heard a hint of pain in this cold creature’s voice.

“I don’t know why I keep you here. Perhaps I simply enjoy the distraction you pose.”

“I’m touched to mean so much to you. But I’m much more than just a pretty face and a wickedly sexy body. I think you are just afraid to let yourself get to know me for fear that you will start liking me and forget your precious Lana.”

The dark cloud formed at Andreas’ ankles, caressing him with the affection of a mother. “No matter what you do, fish, you could never accomplish such a feat.”

“So she died?”

Andreas pushed the mermaid against the wall, his arm trapping her by her neck. She swallowed but refused to show any sign of fear. For a moment their gazes were locked in a struggle for power. Perhaps, Andreas thought to himself, this was what he liked about Leita, the challenge she posed.

Disregarding logical thought, Andreas kissed her. She wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer. He started steering them back to his room when a young voice stopped him dead in his tracks.

“Sorry to interrupt, but there’s someone at the door,” Izzy said, clearing her throat and averting her eyes. Andreas put Leita down. He took off his shirt and gave it to her to wear.

Andreas walked wordlessly over to Izzy, Leita following shortly behind.

“I guess that’s why you keep her around,” Izzy said, trying to hide her laughter.

“Not a further word.”

“She must be really good if you keep sleeping with her despite her horrible personality.”

Andreas stopped and stared at Izzy, his mouth gaping open. He couldn’t believe he was having this conversation with her. But then again, he hadn’t counted on her walking in on him and Leita. He started walking again and Leita followed.

“I’ve warned you before, and I will not do it again. Some topics are not up for discussion.”

“Like Lana’s death?”

Andreas froze, not daring to look at Izzy. “How?” was all he asked. Leita leaned against the opposite wall, examing her nails.

“Do you think I’m stupid? Awesome observation skills, remember?” she said gesturing to herself. “What else would explain why she’s not here, why you refuse to talk about her, and why you seem sad every time I mention her instead of mad like you would’ve been had she simply left? I heard about the execution at the palace last week, it wasn’t hard to put two and two together.”

Andreas searched for something to say, but nothing came out. Izzy didn’t look sad as much as compassionate. She was feeling bad for him. This sent a sudden wave of anger through him and he flashed himself to the front door to avoid having to deal with both Leita and Izzy.

Izzy was right, there was someone at the door. Someone who hadn’t stopped knocking for the five minutes it had taken Izzy to get Andreas. He opened the door.