“I’ll share it with him. We don’t want it to go to his hips!” says Phillip.

  Andrew is a bean pole and everyone chuckles. Andrew attempts to chat with Hannah and blushes all over himself.

  “Are you having a nice time, Ms. Hannah?” Andrew asks.

  “Yes, Andrew, are you going to save a dance for me?”

  “His dance card is full,” Phillip says a bit snarkily. Andrew looks coy and disappointed at the same time. Phillip quickly gets Andrew back on the dance floor.

  I have to smile to myself. It’s nice to see Andrew with someone who cares so much about him. Helena smiles at the couple too. Hannah grins.

  Indio has a new drink and is going to take a sip when she spills it all down the front of her. I have a feeling a certain invisible force helped her. Iris laughs at her sister. She takes a sip of her drink only to have it spill down the front of her dress too. Now I’m sure they’ve had help. A girl could get used to an invisible body guard. Everyone tries not to laugh, including Hannah.

  “I think we had better go now. I need to get this dress rinsed out before this sets. Come on, Indio. Say good night to the nice people.”

  “Good night, Hannah. Good night, Sebastian. Good night, Julian and Helena.”

  I just couldn’t resist. “Good night, Indio. See you soon, dear.”

  I wiggle my fingers at her and she sneers at me. She raises her hand and starts to say something.

  Iris grabs her and turns her towards the door.

  “No casting tonight, you idiot,” Iris whispers. “You’re so drunk you’ll turn it on yourself and then you’ll come crying to me to sort you out.”

  Of course I can hear her and have to work to keep a straight face. Sebastian quickly turns me around so they can’t see me. Then he glares at me.

  “Do you really value your life so little? You go to extremes to draw her out.”

  “I knew she was too drunk to do any damage tonight, Bast.”

  “Yes, but what about tomorrow when she sobers up? Did it escape you that they have some new and especially worrisome information about you?”

  “No, it did not,” I say. Suddenly I’m tense again with my fear and panic.

  Hannah comes up to us.

  “I’m so sorry about that, Lily. I walked right into it. I didn’t know what to say. They knew I was older than you and that I would have been lying to them to tell them differently.”

  “You did well, Hannah,” Julian says. “You’ve gotten into their good graces when the rest of us are suspect.”

  “I can’t wait to annihilate Indio. It will give me extreme pleasure,” Aidan says from behind all of us. He’s popped back in now that the sisters have gone. “I would follow them but I think Indio is too drunk, thanks to Hannah, for them to plot anything tonight.”

  “I hate to agree with you, but I do too,” Sebastian says.

  “While she was talking about you I was trying to blast her back to Hades. They are too well protected at the moment. Julian, we must discuss this and why Alexander took such an interest in Lilith.”

  “We will, my friend. First I think I’m ready to go home, how about the rest of you?”

  “I think we might have a hard time getting Andrew back home, but he can take a cab when he’s ready. I’m ready to call it a night,” I say. “It’s not long before Hannah and I have to go to bed.”

  “Good. No hard feelings, Lily?”

  Hannah sounds truly worried. How could I be mad at Hannah? She executed a perfect move against the witches. It was very clever and sneaky. I wish I would have thought of it.

  “No hard feelings, Ganja Girl,” I say as I hug her tightly. “You might have to watch your back for Indio though. It’s not going to take her long to figure out now she has competition for Sebastian.”

  “I thought about that. I’m going to have to come up with someone else to drool after,” she says as she looks Aidan up and down.

  “Oh no, not me. Me doth protest way too much!”

  I know I shouldn’t but I want to protest as well. Not my Aidan. He is special to me.

  “Well, I have to have someone to tell her about and you’re the lucky man. Come on, British accent, fine-looking. Beyond fine-looking. It’s your lucky day.” She smiles slyly at Aidan and touches her finger to his chest.

  I’m a bit put out. Sebastian notices my expression and looks pissed.

  “Can’t we just find someone off the street, please?” Aidan grimaces and throws his hands up.

  “What? Am I not good enough for you? Do you have a problem with vampires, Aidan?”

  “He prefers a particular vampire,” Sebastian says harshly.

  Hannah will end up hating me soon.

  “Let me guess. You know, I’m beginning to see where Indio gets her attitude.” She winks at me again.

  Aidan pops out with a little wave to me. I’m fuming.

  “Sebastian, that was uncalled for. Aidan left now, are you happy?”

  “Yes, I’m immensely happy and I want to finish this conversation in the car, please.” His voice is steely.

  We go to the coat check, get our coats and wait for our car to pull up. The rest of our party seems uncomfortable with the tension although Helena has to hide a smile. The heater is thoughtfully on full blast in Sebastian’s car. He barely waits for the door to shut before he starts yelling.

  “Lily, I hate the way he looks at you, his little stunt of stealing a kiss and tonight the way you looked at him when Hannah was talking about him. You should have been happy and instead you looked territorial. I won’t stand for it.”

  “You won’t stand for it?! Sebastian, I care for you, but you’re the one who decided that you wanted to suddenly have a relationship with me. This has all been on your time frame. I haven’t had any say. One minute you’re this huge player, with a different woman every night and the next you’re telling me that you only want me. How am I supposed to trust that? How am I supposed to get a handle on that? It’s overwhelming!”

  I say everything I’m feeling without any filter.

  “What does Aidan have to do with any of this?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “When you figure that out, come and tell me.”

  We ride in silence the rest of the way home. A very uneasy silence.

  He gets out of the car and slams the door. He comes to my side and gets my door. After he lets me out he says, “If you will excuse me.”

  And he leaves me standing there. Julian has pulled up behind us and gets out of the car and stares at me. I don’t want to talk to them, and especially not Hannah. I walk up the stairs with as much dignity as I can muster.

  I fume over our fight and am hurt at the same time. I really do care for Sebastian, so dammit why did I act that way when Hannah was talking about Aidan? I should have been happy, like Sebastian said. Instead I am tied up in knots. Now it’s my birthday and I’m all alone, hurt and confused. I should be at home where I can wallow in self-pity in private. But I’m stuck at the manse. What does Aidan have to do with how I feel about Sebastian? Could I really keep my feelings about each of them separate or was this all too much for me? I’ve had a hard time managing one relationship, let alone two. I don’t know how some women do it. I gotta get a grip. I get some hand sanitizer out and slather it on and then I start pacing. My stomach is in knots and shoulders tense. What did I do? I will not go back on what I said. I really do feel that way, but I’ve hurt Sebastian. Dammit, he’s hurt me too. What a mess. Now instead of having him hold me all morning, he and I will be hurting in separate parts of the house, alone.

  I wonder if I call out if Aidan is listening. It can’t hurt. I need to talk to him.

  “Aidan… are you there?” I say in a soft whisper.

  He pops into my room.

  “I rode back with Julian and saw Sebastian walk away.” His eyes glint. Then he moves toward me, his face serious for once. “I wanted to make sure you were okay tonight. I didn’t like the way Iris looked at you when she found out you still had to sleep. I really didn’t like Alexander’s attention to you so I figured if Sebastian isn’t going to watch you I want to be here. I was just listening, I promise.”

  “It’s okay, I’m glad. I want to talk to you. And I do feel safer with you here. Please stay visible.”

  “It’s my pleasure.” He smiles. “What’s wrong, love?”

  “Everything, but I don’t think I want to talk about that right now. It’s much too close to dawn and I’d rather discuss more pleasant things. How did you like dancing tonight?”

  “It was as much fun as this body has ever had. I want to try it again, especially with you. It’s nothing like flying in the wind though. That is total freedom. You’ve had a taste of it when we transmanifested.”

  “It’s too bad you weren’t able to dance more then.”

  “Another time. Soon,” he promises.

  I go into the bathroom to change into a gown and then I climb into bed so I won’t fall face first onto the floor. I pat the spot next to me. He jumps up on the bed like a little kid. It makes me laugh. Everything is child-like with Aidan, refreshing and fun.

  “Are you going to stay until I wake up?”

  “Yes, or until Sebastian comes in and tries to kill me.” He wiggles his eyebrows in mock concern.

  “He won’t be so dense.”

  “He’s thinking about it now I’m sure. You know he can probably hear us.”

  “I’m hoping he’s in the library.”

  “He’ll come in and check on you at some point. He won’t be able to help himself.”

  “Well serves him right. We aren’t doing anything.”

  “We could be…” He smiles wickedly.

  What is it about men? I wonder how it all would work with a djinn…?

  “No we can’t, Aidan.”

  “Fine. But I am kissing you good night. And by my calculations that should be now or you won’t be conscious much longer.”

  He leans down and gently kisses me. He pulls back a little and then kisses me again but with more enthusiasm. I can’t help kissing him back. The passion that erupts from Aidan is like fire burning through me and I become engulfed in it. The next thing I know, I wake up to Sebastian sitting in a wing back chair next to my bed.

  23 . AIDAN

  Lilith finally fell asleep. I regretfully pull my lips from hers. Her kissing was like flying in the wind. I was moved around the world and back. I think I might be in love with this beautiful creature. A vamp, a beautiful, bloodsucking, undead woman. I move my arms around her protectively. Damn Sebastian if he comes in, she is mine for the moment and I won’t let anything happen to her.

  While she sleeps, I continue to stare at her. I can’t get enough of her. I memorize her face, the shape of her body underneath the sheet - supple, full breasts, curving hips, soft creamy skin. What I wouldn’t give to be pressed up against her, making love to her. I can only imagine what that would be like, but after holding her, my imagination takes me to places I want to go.

  She isn’t ready for that, though. But soon. I will have her. Somehow I will convince her that she wants to be with me. I have millennia to wait. I can be patient.

  I listen to the noises of the house as I lay holding my momentary gift. The groundskeeper trims the lawn and the maid makes up the other rooms. I want to give Lilith the world but I don’t think she is the kind of woman who wants lavish gifts. That isn’t what impresses Lilith. Kindness and compassion move her. It’s what she is about. It’s something I need to work on. I’ve spent so many years being alone and seeking revenge that my compassion has come to me late in life. The hours pass by like minutes and I watch the light play against her skin and hair, across her lips. I gently kiss her again and take in her lovely scent, a mixture of lilacs and orange blossoms.

  I don’t know how to protect her from Indio and Iris. She won’t come to my flat and she doesn’t want a constant body guard. She cherishes her independence. That may be her downfall. I’ll just be extra watchful with her and follow the witches every moment I can. I will not let anything happen to her.

  Fuck, I hear Sebastian coming. I knew he couldn’t stay away. She’ll be up soon anyway. At least I had most of the morning with her. I change into a fly.

  24 . LILITH

  “Good morning, Cherie,” Sebastian says tentatively.

  “Good morning, Sebastian,” I say coolly. I haven’t forgotten our fight and I am damned confused about how I went to bed on fire from kissing one man and have woken up to another in my bedroom.

  “What are you doing here, Sebastian?”

  “I came to apologize. I didn’t want to do it in front of everyone. I thought we deserved some privacy. I behaved like a jealous fool last night. How I feel about Aidan has not changed. I don’t like him around you and you can’t expect me to be okay with it. I’m trying to tolerate the idea that you might have some. . . feelings. . . for him.”

  He chokes on the words, I swear, before he tries again.

  “But I know you have much stronger feelings for me and I don’t intend to go down sans combattre. You were right. I didn’t properly court you. I just jumped into your bed, so to speak. So be prepared. This is your warning. I am formally courting you now.”

  With that Sebastian gets up, kisses me tenderly on the forehead and walks out of my bedroom. Aidan pops in just as the door closes. My undead heart skips a beat and that is saying something.

  “Geez, Aidan. You scared me to death!”

  “I thought it would be prudent to make myself scarce when he came in.”

  “I think that was a good idea. Did you stay all morning?”

  “I did. You are just as beautiful when you sleep. It was a peaceful time for me laying there contemplating life, holding you. I found comfort. I want you to know that if Sebastian is formally courting you I must also throw in my glove. Prepare yourself to have two suitors.”

  What am I getting into? My life is going full tilt. I really need to get my meds checked, or get on meds or borrow someone’s meds. While I am thinking this, Aidan pulls some striking orchids out of thin air and hands them to me.

  “From South America to you, Lilith.”

  “Thank you, Aidan, they are stunning.”

  There is a knock on the door and Andrew comes in carrying a huge bouquet of red roses. The note reads ‘For my love – S’. Andrew looks over at the orchids and shakes his head.

  “I’ll get another vase. Good afternoon, Mr. Aidan.”

  “Good afternoon, Andrew, I hope you slept well?”

  “Yes sir, thank you.”

  “Allow me to get the vase, Andrew,” Aidan says as he summons a beautiful green hand blown vase that compliments the orchids perfectly.

  Andrew is torn between loyalty and his ingrained good manners. While he doesn’t give Aidan a total cold shoulder treatment, it isn’t a welcome-to-the-family behavior either. Obviously he isn’t sure how to treat the djinn. Welcome to the club.

  “Andrew, would you take the flowers down to the library so everyone can enjoy them, please.”

  “As you wish, Miss Lily, Mr. Sebastian is going to blow a gasket though.”

  “You think he wouldn’t if he saw them in my room? It would bother him more in here.”

  “Then by all means let’s leave them here,” Aidan says with a smirk.

  “Not helpful,” I hum.

  I jump into my closet and throw on some clothes I brought over before we walk down the stairs together. I carry both the roses and orchids so no one has hurt feelings. The first thing I see is Sebastian smiling and then, seeing Aidan, his face turns into a toothy grimace.

  “Helena, look, I was lucky enough to get flowers from two gentlemen today! Isn’t that nice?”

  I hope Helena takes my hint and helps me diffuse the situation.

  “Lily, they’re beautiful. We must find the appropriate place for them. I am always saying we need fresh flowers in here to relieve the stuffiness.”

  “How dare you give her flowers, and how dare you be in her room this morning. Were you there when I was there?” Sebastian shouts at Aidan.

  “Define ‘there’.”

  “You bastard, I’d hit you if you’d stand still long enough.”

  “Try me. I’ve never participated in fisticuffs before, always wanted to get into a good fight. I tell you what. I promise I won’t kill you.”

  That’s good enough for Sebastian. He’s already taking his jacket off and rolls up his sleeves.

  “Aidan, do you know what you’re doing?”

  I’m not picking favorites or anything. I just know that Sebastian is out for blood and if Aidan didn’t have a rudimentary idea of how this fighting thing went he was as good as dog food.

  “I’ve watched my fair share of fights, Lilith,” Aidan says, as if he understood my concern.

  And with that, he dodged as Sebastian punched at him with lightening speed. Watching a vampire move is almost impossible unless they want you to. Bast uses every ruse he has.

  He and Aidan circle each other and Julian gives both of them tips. Helena is completely impressed. Her eyes have a sparkle to them and she jumps in and out of the way, first cheering for Sebastian and then cheering for Aidan. This kind of action is how things used to be handled, among vampires. In fact everyone in the room is comfortable with it but me. But I can’t leave. I am glued to the struggle. Aidan zaps their shirts off. Helena and I both gasp. The muscles in the room abound and I can’t get enough of them. I’m momentarily distracted from the fight. Sebastian moves in and throws another punch. This time he gets Aidan in the shoulder.

  Aidan slides in and throws a round house that hits Sebastian in the side. Sebastian comes back with an upper cut to the gut. Aidan stumbles back a little bit. He recovers quickly and moves back in. Bast isn’t expecting this and doesn’t move fast enough. He gets caught with a punch to the jaw. It’s Aidan’s turn to get cocky and Bast punches him in the nose. The crunching sound startles Aidan as much as the pain. In fact he is so startled that he almost gets hit again but moves out of the way at the crucial moment. Sebastian laughs now. He stops when Aidan punches him in the stomach and knocks out what little air he has in him. It goes on like this until Julian finally puts a stop to it and calls it a draw. Aidan’s nose is smashed and his eye blooms purple. Sebastian has a broken nose, which will heal in an hour or so. He also has his fangs out, which is so sexy. A rush of heat runs through my body.