The Vampire's Executioner

Chapter 12

She headed into the library and instead of over to the table where Nikolai had informed her of everything, she chose to take a seat on the couch. Surprisingly enough, the couch was more comfortable than it looked, and as she began to flip through the pages in the binder, she felt her eyes get heavy. Maybe sitting on this couch wasn't such a good idea, especially when she needed to try and imitate Nikolai's sleeping pattern. She ran her fingers through her hair, wondering if she should go back up the stairs and grab a cup of coffee. The caffeine might be able to do a better job at keeping her awake.

"Come on, Lizzie," she murmured under her breath. "Focus. Just focus."

A heavy groan caught Lizzie by surprise, and her gaze shot to the heavy stone door being pushed open. It wasn't Nikolai, as she had expected, nor was it Lewis, or even their respective betrotheds. It was William, and a small smile was chiseled onto his face, one dimple popping in his cheek.

Lizzie felt herself sigh in frustration. Yes, he was definitely nice to look at over dinner, but right now, she had a job that needed to be done and she could most certainly live without the distraction.

"Hello Miss Grant," William greeted before sitting in the arm chair that was directly located across from the couch. "I hope you do not mind the intrusion. The conversation upstairs got rather mindless and I felt you would be the perfect companion to include wit in your repertoire."

Lizzie was unmoved. She had managed to build immunity against pleading looks and big blue eyes ever since her breakup with Brick. "Actually," she said, locking gazes with him. "I have a lot of work and I really can't be distracted, not when the threat against the prince is serious."

"Surely," William began, pushing his lean figure into a standing position as a charming smile touched his lips. He slowly started to walk towards her. "Surely you can spare me one moment, Elizabeth. May I call you that? I would love nothing more than to discuss the human world with you. Maybe my curiosity for it is insatiable, almost like the way I feel for you." By now he had walked behind her and leaned his head so she could feel his hot breath. His gaze traveled up and down the graceful column of her neck, and before she realized what was happening, his sharp teeth elongated even more, as if he wanted to sink them into her neck.

"You cannot possibly feel anything for me except some kind of lust," she pointed out, standing up so she could put distance between herself and the vampire. "And I'm sorry, but I'm not that kind of girl, a girl who just hooks up with random strangers, especially one that has a fetish for biting flesh and sucking blood."

William's dark smile deepened. "I take it, then, that you do not approve of vampires?" he asked.

"I don't like them, no," she admitted, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Though it is none of my business, I can only garner from your tone that a vampire must have broken your heart," William continued, an enigmatic sparkle resting in his blue eyes. "That is always the case when a woman hates us. If it is a man, it is usually because one of our kind stole his dear one."

"It is none of your business," Lizzie agreed in a curt manner, fingering the binder currently in her hand. "Now, I really would like to get back to work."

"Would you like any help?" William asked. "I can assure you that I am very knowledgeable concerning the royals. My father was part of the royal court, you know, centuries ago. I was raised around them. I know what they eat, when they sleep, where they hide." Lizzie could swear his eyes darkened as he continued to speak to her. He took a step toward her, invading her space. "I could tell you everything you want to know."

She was sure his tone implied more than just the history of the royal line.

"Thank you," Lizzie said, keeping her voice firm but polite. She couldn't offend anyone lest her behavior got back to Nikolai, or worse, his father. "But I really can do everything by myself. If you would leave now." She nodded her head to the door, hoping he would step toward her so she could push him back.

William stepped back and Lizzie felt as though she could breathe again. He slipped on his usual, charming smile. "Of course," he agreed. "Please excuse the interruption."

It was only when Lizzie heard the library door shut after him did she finally release a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. Though he was gone, the goose bumps on her skin were not.

***

Thank you for your support! Please leave a comment, vote, and add to your reading lists. It really does help!