Page 19 of His Eternal Temptation
It was like a sucker punch. “He could if he ever gave me the chance.” That definitely came out bitter.
Rowan didn’t respond. At least he’d moved on from calling Lane a manipulative liar at every opportunity and was keeping it to himself.
When they arrived at the clinic room, Rowan remained outside and closed the door, leaving Lane alone with Hunter. Dr. Hunter? Lane didn’t know if it was a first or last name.
“Take a seat.” Hunter indicated a chair closest to the door.
Lane settled in. “What are you hoping to find?”
Hunter brought over his blood-drawing supplies and started unwrapping things. “It’s best practice to check for heart damage more than once, though we’ve waited longer than usual, and you’re probably fine after the vampire blood. Honestly, I’m looking for evidence of the curse.”
“Using human medical tests?” That was weird. Surely nothing magical would register in a lab test.
“More information is better than less,” Hunter said vaguely, and got to work.
Whatever. Lane didn’t care if he poked around for curiosity’s sake. He’d been helpful last night, keeping his head when Rowan had lost his.
“No Henry and Steven today?” Lane asked as Hunter removed the needle from his arm and pressed a cotton ball to the spot.
“Huh?” Hunter blinked like he’d been miles away.
“Your shirt from last night.” Lane felt foolish for bringing it up, but what was done was done. “The Night Slayer movie.”
“Oh.” Hunter’s face lit up. He wore scrubs today and looked distinctly professional. “You caught me on my way out yesterday. I usually dress the part when I’m here. Love that movie though.”
“It’s a cult classic.” Lane wasn’t a part of the Night Slayer fandom. It was mostly a human thing, though he was sure some witches got a kick out of it. Vampires too, obviously.
“I loved the stage show in college,” Hunter said as he removed the cotton pad, revealing smooth, unblemished skin. “Looks like Rowan’s blood healed that puncture for you. Nice. You ever go to a Night Slayer Night? You seem about the right age to have experienced peak Slayer debauchery.”
“Um. The right age?” Lane had a feeling he’d missed a key part of the Night Slayer scene. What debauchery?
“Yeah, you’re what, late thirties? Same age as I’d be if I weren’t immortal.”
“Mid-thirties,” Lane corrected automatically. “Wait, so you’re not…” He stopped himself. Even if Hunter brought it up, you weren’t supposed to ask.
Hunter rolled his eyes. “I’ve been twenty-two for sixteen years, not three hundred.”
“Right.” Lane laughed, and Hunter gave him a feral grin.
“Glad you’re doing better today,” Hunter said more seriously. Lane wished they’d stuck to old movies. His expression must have fallen because Hunter added, “I know this sucks, but Rowan will look out for you. I will too. Seriously, if you need anything or feel even the tiniest bit off, let me know.”
“Thanks, I…” Lane shifted in his seat. “Did Rowan tell you to say that?”
“No. Rowan doesn’t tell me what to do. I’m not in his coven. I just work here.”
“Really?” Rowan allowed someone outside his coven this close?
The feral grin returned. “That makes you want to trust me, doesn’t it?” Hunter laughed at whatever he read in Lane’s expression. “Animosity between you and Rowan isn’t my concern. Unless you want to talk about it. I love a good dose of drama, and I’ve never seen Rowan like that before.”
“It was dramatic.” Lane wouldn’t mind telling Hunter everything, to see if he’d be on his side. But when? Rowan was outside the door and could hear everything they said with his enhanced senses. Unless… Could that work to Lane’s advantage?
“I never seduced Rowan as a part of some spying plot.”
Hunter stepped closer, delighted. “No? It would have been wild if you did.”
“I’m not that devious. I swear.”
“Then you’ll be fine.” Hunter placed a reassuring hand on Lane’s forearm. “Rowan is a good person. I wouldn’t be here, drawing blood for the Valeros, otherwise.”
