Pax released her hand and leaned back, watching her. “He’s a Kurjan. You can’t be friends.” Even so, his expression was thoughtful.
“Sure, we can.” Her voice rose. Why couldn’t she get into the dream world to see Drake? Then she paused. “You know, last time I talked to him…”
“No,” Pax said. “Definitely not.”
She perked up. “It has to be you, Pax. You were in my bedroom last time I dreamed and met Drake in a dream world. Even before the dream worlds went away, you were usually around. You’re the connection.”
“No.” Pax sounded as tough as any demon soldier now that his voice had deepened.
“Pax.” She reached for his hand again. Her parents had met in dream worlds, so it made sense she could also meet friends in such worlds. The only problem was that the worlds had been destroyed during one of the Seven’s rituals, or something like that. “You have to stay over tonight. You haven’t since that one night when I saw Drake, the last time, and we have to see if your being here makes a difference.”
“You want me to stay the night?” He sounded hoarse now.
Heat ticked from her chest up into her face. “Yes. Come on. We used to stay the night together all the time before you moved in with your uncle.”
His jaw hardened, and for a moment, he looked like his vampire father. “Things have changed, Hope. If I’m staying in your room, I ain’t sleeping on the floor.”
Her mouth gaped open. Paxton did not just say that. Not her Paxton. “You want the bed?” Why couldn’t she breathe?
“You know exactly what I mean,” he said, meeting her gaze levelly.
She couldn’t speak. Where had this over-the-top immortal bullshit come from? Pax had always been beyond that. “So you’re saying you want to fuck me, Pax?”
He drew back.
Oh, two could play at this game. She leaned forward. “That’s what you’re saying, right? I mean, if that’s what you want, shouldn’t you have the balls to just say it?” He wasn’t the only one who’d grown up a little bit in the last six months, even though he was still the only boy she’d ever kissed—and that was three years ago. Triumph filled her when he looked away.
Until he looked back. “Yes. I want to fuck you.”
Now she drew back. “Paxton Phoenix!”
“You started it,” he returned.
She sat straighter in the chair. “I did not. You did.”
He sighed, looking more like her Paxton again. “It’d be more than fucking between us, and you know it.” Then he leaned over and turned the fire higher. “Have you been dating anybody now that you’ve turned sixteen?”
“No.” She’d been busy. “You?”
“Not really.” Then he cleared his throat. “I’m always thinking about you.”
Chapter Ten
Karma felt quite decadent in the butter-soft boots the queen had provided for her. Even though they were of a modern style, they looked perfect with the long pink and blue floral skirt she wore today. She stood at the glass door leading to the patio of Benjamin’s suite, happy to be standing again.
It was her first day out of bed, and already, she was tired.
Rain pattered gently outside as if tuned to her mood, and the lake shimmered a light gray color that was more dreamy than chilly looking.
Her body felt no different with the mating bond destroyed, although the bite mark on her neck had disappeared. Oh, she was still tired, and her limbs were heavy, but the queen had assured her those weaknesses resulted from the high fever she’d endured and would soon dissipate. The queen was definitely one of those romance heroines Karma had read about. They really existed.
A knock sounded on the door, and she partially turned to call out, “Come in.” It was an oddity, having the power to allow people into her space, one she had not yet become accustomed to.
There was no reason to get comfortable.
The door opened, and a tall woman, a very tall one, walked inside. She had sandy-blond hair, generous curves, and deep chocolate-colored eyes that looked…worried. “Hello?”
Karma turned from the view outside and strode toward the fireplace, double-checking that the woman was alive and not a spirit here to visit her. “Hello. Are you looking for Benjamin?”
The woman studied Karma, her stance somewhat hesitant. She wore dark jeans and a light yellow sweater. “No. I’m looking for you, I think. I’m Sarah. Sarah Pringle Petrovsky.”
Karma paused. “I am Karma. If I ever had a last name, I do not remember it.” She ran through the other woman’s names. “You are mated to Max Petrovsky?” The hulking soldier was frightening, that was for sure. Was that why this female appeared scared?
“Yes.” Sarah hesitated.
Karma gestured her toward the chair on the other side of the coffee table. “I apologize for my manners. I haven’t entertained in many years.” She took the opposite chair. What in the world did this vampire mate want with her? “Is there something I can do for you?” Was this female going to ask about Virus-27? Did she want to be infected so she could run from her mate? Karma was the last person in the world who could help right now.
Sarah sat in the chair and perched at the edge, her legs so long, her knees poked up. “Benny suggested we meet, and I’d already planned to find you, anyway.”
Karma settled her hands in her lap. “Shall I request tea or lunch? Are you hungry?”
“No.” Sarah pushed back in the chair. “Thank you, though.” She chewed on her lip. “I meant to see you earlier, but I was visiting friends and just got back last night. This morning I had classes—I’m one of the teachers for the Realm kids.”
“Oh.” Karma warmed to her. “You teach cooking?”
Sarah frowned. “No. Lately I teach physics and tactical warfare, and I’d like to start teaching philosophy soon.”
Karma exhaled. A female taught such subjects? The Realm was a much more interesting place than she had thought. “I see.” Yet she did not. “I am not familiar enough with those subjects to discuss them.”
Sarah fiddled with her earring. “I know. Sorry. I’m just nervous.”
Karma tried to make sense of the situation as the rain increased outside. “I do not, I mean don’t, understand.”
Sarah sighed. “You saved Rose, and I wanted to thank you. But then I got nervous. Was she your child? I mean, I know that her parents were human and she was found in an orphanage, but did you adopt her and then give her up three years ago to keep her safe?”