Having done what he could, Lucian flowed through the house, the basement, and the narrow passage carved through rock to the sleeping chamber, then below to his earthen lair. He returned to his body deep within the healing soil. It required intense energy to flow free from one’s body, and he wanted the rejuvenating soil to strengthen him.
He put himself to sleep, relying on his inward alarm system to tell him when the intruder had actually violated the sanctity of his home. It took the man well over an hour after the sun went down before he managed to make it into the main yard. From there he opened the gate for two of his colleagues. When Lucian felt the disturbance, he came awake slowly, waving a hand to open the earth. The vibrations of violence echoing through his home were amplified by the stained-glass safeguards Francesca had wrought. It disturbed the soothing tranquillity of the house.
Beside him, without his consent or command, Jaxon inhaled. Her heart began to beat, and she moaned softly in distress. Lucian would never have believed it if someone had told him her built-in alarm system would be enough to disturb her sleep so soon after her initiation. Fledglings did not often awaken at the mere presence of evil. He merged with her before she could open her eyes, his intention to send her back to sleep.
Don’t! She said it sharply, her lashes lifting, her eyes blazing with fury. “You lied to me.” She pushed his body away from hers and looked around her.
Lucian could feel her rising nausea as she realized she was in the ground, not in the sleeping chamber. When he would have comforted her, she held up both hands to stop him. “I don’t want you to touch me. You buried me alive, Lucian. You buried me and let me believe we were sleeping in a normal bed.”
“Jaxon,” he said softly, persuasively. “I did not lie.” She tried to scramble out of the hole in the earth. “Call it whatever you like, it was still a sin of omission,” she hissed over her shoulder.
But when Lucian caught her around her waist and pulled her back to him, she didn’t resist, rather went very still. She was pale, her skin clammy, and he could feel her heart pounding. “Someone’s in the house.” She clutched her stomach, knowing they were being stalked. “I thought you said nothing could get in.”
“The intruder is human. Actually, if you listen, you can hear more than one. They are spreading out now, searching the upper story. I allowed them entry to the premises to see who they are. It is always best to know your enemies.” His voice was soft and winning, wrapping her in warmth and tranquillity. “I did not allow them access to your room. I did not want them touching your things.” She swallowed her anger. “That’s supposed to make me forget all about what you’ve done? I’m so angry with you, Lucian. Right now I hate the way you’re so calm and unemotional. How many more surprises do you have in store for me?”
“I presume you are alluding to our resting place, not the intruders.”
She thought about hitting him, but he was built like an oak tree and more than likely she would end up with a bruised fist. “Where are my clothes?” she asked between her teeth.
“Your usual feminine garb?” When she steadfastly refused to look at him, Lucian shrugged with his casual strength. “Your clothes are in your mind. Seek and ye shall find.” Deliberately he floated from the hole in the ground. It was a little more than eight feet deep. Jaxon could not possibly get out of her own accord.
You want to bet? Furious, Jaxon stood up and examined the walls of their grave. That was how she thought of it. Their grave. She swore repeatedly in her head, calling him every name in the book as she paced off the area. The walls were impossible to climb.
You need help? It was an infuriating male taunt.
“Not on your life. I’d rather stay down here with the worms than ask for your help,” she snapped.