It has been six weeks of singles' activities, mimosas in the morning with Lorelai, conversations with Elias that last late into the night, and lots of unbelievable sex—and life at the Evermore Manor has taken a turn toward pretty damn good. Granted, we haven't found the killer, but they've laid off the bloodshed since the night they butchered Tyler. The only thing missing is a little time to myself.

If I'm not with Elias, Lorelai seems to be around. I'm surprised I get a chance to take a shower alone. Although, that's not always the case either. The desire to have eyes on me at all times is understandable. I'm still an infant to this world and learning new things about the beings that live in it every day. For instance, there are seven circles to hell and each demon has an affinity to one of the seven deadly sins. Sprites are not called sprites at all, they are kobolds. When they are in their natural form, they are so small they can't be seen with the human eye, but their glow can be seen from a mile away. It's all so fascinating to me, but I have no clue how I would deal with the killer if we came face to face.

But a girl needs some me time to gather her thoughts, especially when a man consumes most of them.

I snuck out of the room I share with Elias just before dawn. The house is already buzzing with the staff preparing for breakfast, arranging the endless spread that covers the dining room every morning. I greet each person with a smile and have brief exchanges with those I've come to know by name before slipping out into the garden.

The early morning rays cast statues and exotic flowers in a buttery glow. A gentle breeze blows in from the sea, carrying a sweet floral scent fused with fresh salt. I slide my hands in the pouch of my hoodie as I stroll the cobblestone path. This stolen moment of solitude is just what I need.

I wonder what my mom and dad are doing right now. Well, my dad, I'm certain is asleep, but my mother is probably awake doing Hades knows what with her little ghost hunting group on FaceTime. They're always planning their next adventure, and now I want to know if any of them are actually paranormal creatures themselves.

Is my mother paranormal at all? My dad didn't say, but I assume she isn't or else I wouldn't be human at all. I file that question away as something to ask my dad the next time we meet in one of my dreams. I hope it's soon...I need to learn how to call out to him so I can see him whenever I want.

I'd also like for him to meet Elias. I think he'd like him. The vampire thing shouldn't be so hard to swallow now that I know my dad is paranormal too.

Stop, Cordelia, a little voice says in the back of my head. Just because he's fucking you seven ways to Sunday doesn't mean he has real feelings for you. There are people who can handle casual sex, ya know?

Yeah, I know...I'm not sure that I'm one of them after this little fling with Elias. I am certainly catching real feelings for him. I just can't tell if he feels the same, or if it's part of the ruse.

I can't believe I let myself get all tied up over him. Before this trip, I'd set all my little ducks in a row. I counted each one and was positive of what they were capable of producing. I chose a practical career in accounting, and swore I'd never give myself so freely to a guy after I broke up with James. And then I saw Elias and I kicked all those tiny ducks into the water and decided I'd dive in too...headfirst.

Gods help me. I think I'm self-destructing.

"Is this your great escape?"

I jump at the sound of the familiar deep voice and spin around. My heart pounds against my chest and I have a split second where I think I'm going to have an asthma attack. I bend at the waist and place my hands on my knees, taking deep breaths to calm down.

"Are you trying to kill me?" I ask.

Elias smirks and leans a shoulder against the tree behind him. It's a stunning picture—the knotted trunk and branches covered in bright red flowers. And Elias. He is a little disheveled this morning with his dark jeans sitting low on his hips and his button-down hugging the defined muscles of his chest.

"Are you answering my question with a question?" He cocks a brow—an invitation to a challenge of the wits.

"Why? Does that bother you?

He pushes off the tree with his foot and walks toward me. "Why would it?"

I kick a rogue rock off the path in front of me and grin up at him. "I don't know, maybe because you wouldn't be getting exactly what you want when you want it?"

He slides his hands into his pockets and circles around me. I love when he does that, makes me feel like I'm the only snack holding his interest in the entire candy store. Only turning my head, I keep my eyes on him. If he wants to check out the goods, I won't deny him.

He moves closer, never touching me. His cool breath fans against my ear as he says, "I always get what I want."

I snicker. "Is that right? Well, I think you just lost our little battle, Mr. Dagon. You didn't ask a question."

He lifts his chin, an arrogant gesture I'd despise on anyone else. On him, it's fine as fuck. "That's because it's never a question. Not even with you."

"Í alvöru? You're quite sure of yourself today, herra," I say, planting my hands on my hips.

"Your Icelandic is a bit more impressive than you made it out to be, Cordelia. I like it when you call me sir in any language," he says smoothly as he swipes a daisy from the flowerbed and tucks it behind my ear.

My jaw falls open as I lift my hand to run my fingertips over the petals. "How'd you figure it out?"

He runs his finger and thumb across his lips as if he is zipping them closed. "I have my ways. Let's just say the library is a wealth of knowledge."

Memories of the first time we used the library for my training come rushing in. Every time we are in there, I linger behind, hoping he will continue what we started that day. Even our close run in with Clayton didn't dim my desire for another moment like that. Elias is an amazing lover, but I know he is holding back. I wish he would let his needs run wild with me.

"I feel like I'm not using the library to its fullest extent," I say, doing nothing to hide my suggestive tone.

He shakes his head while his gaze soaks me in. "I can smell you from here. The thrill you get just from thinking of the forbidden acts you crave so badly. Why do you think that is? Why are you so tempted to play with the things that go bump in the night?"

The knowledge that he can smell when I am aroused should really embarrass me. And it probably would have embarrassed the old me. The me that in college, would barely talk to the opposite sex. But the me who's found out she's a Dreamwalker, who holds the sexiest being on this island in the palm of her hand? Nah.

I eat this shit up.

I take one step closer to him and let my eyes trail up and down his lean, muscular frame. There's just something about him today. Something mischievous. Like if I only vaguely hinted at being open to fucking right here in the middle of this garden, surrounded by these poisonous roses and with every paranormal creature you can think of lurking around the place, he'd lay me down in a heartbeat.

"I don't know. Maybe because my whole life, I've played it safe. Never taken a lot of chances...did what everyone else wanted so they would be happy. And I've found that I like being wicked. I like making even a vampire squirm," I say, drawing my bottom lip between my teeth and closing the distance between us.

He leans down, his mouth less than an inch from mine. His eyes dart back and forth as he continues to admire me in a way that has my entire body aware of his. "You just have to ask me, Cordelia. Say the word and I will fuck you on that table in the library or in the center of this garden. I will make every filthy fantasy in your pretty head reality."

I lift my hand to grip the front of his shirt.

"Cora, it's mimosa time! Stop being one with nature and get a little tipsy with me."

I step back at the sound of Lorelai's voice. "Your BFF has terrible timing."

"I've considered getting rid of her more than once."

Gods strike me down, but that glint in his eyes has my panties melting. "Let her live for one more day, and you and I can continue this later."

He steps away from me and slides his hands into his pockets. "I'm going to hold you to that, Cordelia."