Page 96 of Twice Bitten

After one glorious hot shower and an entire half-hour spentdetangling the bird’s nest masquerading as my hair, I flipped through my closet, gaping at all the brands I’d never heard of. There was silk, cashmere, Merino wool, and buttery soft cotton tops, flowy pants, and stretchy blue jeans hanging in color order.

There was a large basket of folded underthings—bras and underwear, silk and cotton camisoles, and lounge clothing. I dug out some underthings, a pair of soft pants, and a tank top, and added the cardigan Alric had given me earlier.

After gelling and running my curls through a diffuser session, I applied mascara, blush, and lip gloss, and studied myself in the mirror with a critical eye.

Every scratch had already healed, leaving my skin smooth and unblemished. I blinked and leaned closer to the mirror. And at least a shade paler than normal.

I touched my cheek. “What the hell?”

My eyes were brighter as well, my lips flushed and pink. My cheeks were high with color.

I stared at myself for a long moment and realized I had never looked healthier. A laugh bubbled from my lips. My life might be in shambles, but I looked gorgeous, like I’d gone to one of those fancy health spas where they plied you with fresh-pressed juice and positive affirmations. I guess I could look at the bright side, at least for a little while.

Shaking my head, I ran my fingers through my curls a final time and went back into the bedroom, hoping against all hope I had an extra pair of shoes somewhere. I went back into the closet and poked around, relieved to see another laundry basket. All I wanted was a pair of slippers, but Vesper had included everything: slippers, flats, sneakers, a pair of nude heels, wedges, and the supplest leather boots my fingers had ever had the privilege to touch.

I’d never be able to afford all of this stuff. Part of me, the independent, “hear me roar” part, wanted to load all thisstuff up in the car and drop it on the Prime’s doorstop, but the other part, the secret girly girl who lived inside me, wanted to bask in the loveliness of all these wonderful things.

I settled for pulling out the slippers and putting them on, frowning when they were a perfect fit.

The Prime really had thought of everything.

Speaking of the Prime, I could no longer put off the call I needed to make. I dug his card out of my purse, thoughtfully gathered up by one of Silas’s shifters, and punched in his number.

“Alex.” Alric’s smooth voice came over the line.

I blinked in surprise. I’d been fully expecting the number to go to a receptionist or something. “Err. Alric. I’m surprised you answered.”

“This is my phone,” he said with amusement. “Is there something wrong? Are the clothes not to your liking?”

Annoyance filled me. “You know damn well the clothes are to my liking.”

His self-satisfied chuckle rolled over my skin.

“But that isn’t why I’m calling.”

“Oh?” His voice had sharpened with interest. “Color me curious then.”

“Can you come by the house?”

A beat of silence. “Alex, are you asking me on a date?”

“No, you ass. I want to talk to you. In person. Can you come or not?”

“I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Have you eaten?”

Like a tiger that stumbled on a herd of wildebeest, I wanted to say. “I have,” I said instead, just as my stomach growled loudly enough to be heard over the line.

Alric let out a soft laugh. “I’ll bring breakfast.” He disconnected.

I exhaled and wondered if I knew what I was doing. Having the conversation over the phone might be the wiser decision, but I wanted to see his face when I confronted him.

He’d lied to me, and not only that, he’d tried to get me to endanger myself by luring an unwell vampire out of hiding. The Prime was a grade-A asshole, but I couldn’t fault him for wanting to save his people. Even if it made me want to punch him right in his gorgeous face.

I walked out of the bedroom, making a mental note to see what kind of temporary furniture I could find while I figured out a way to purchase the things I needed without Alric’s interference.

But for now, I could let the jerk buy me breakfast.

True to his word, Alric showed up twenty minutes later holding two large bags.