Things are heating up 🌶️

Would you have played along with Wren, or set him straight?

Chapter 2: Wren's Lie

"I said no." Slamming the boot shut so Wren couldn't throw his rucksack in, I went so far as to lock the car as well. But he snagged the keys from my fingers with vampire speed and had the boot open before I even noticed I no longer held them.

"And I don't believe I gave you a choice," Wren replied, stuffing his bag between two suitcases before slamming the boot shut again. Hidden from the bright sun under a large, hooded jumper, his expression was shadowed, but his light tone betrayed he was enjoying my frustration as much as the buzzing of the bond did. "Don't worry, sunshine, I'll stay out of your way if you want, until I'm sure Frank isn't planning anything. Then you'll never have to deal with me again."

"I'll have to deal with you as long as I can sense every time you're in a foul mood," I muttered, snatching the keys back.

"Then it looks like you're stuck with me for a while yet because it shows no signs of disappearing, which I find just as horrifying as you, don't worry."

He wasn't lying. But he wasn't telling the truth either. He did find it horrifying, he hated that he had to watch his thoughts, he hated that I knew how he felt, that I knew when he was starving himself, but the dislike wasn't disgust. Not like it was in the beginning.

I held his gaze over the top of the car in a battle of wills I already knew I'd lose.

"Your mum did say it would be nice if you brought a man along," Laura teased, her voice making me realise Wren and I had been staring at each other in silence for a solid minute.

Wren smirked.

I cut my friend a sharp look.

"It would be better if you confronted Frank with a vampire at your side too. He probably wont give a toss if it's Wren and get bored of the whole thing; it's Taran he wants to annoy.," she pointed out. "Let him come. If he does, your mum will be too busy scrutinising the state of that frayed hoodie he has on to care that I'm ruining her bright and flowery aesthetic."

She may have had a point there. Sighing heavily, I considered it a moment before asking, "Does Taran know you're coming?"

"No."

"Does he know about Frank?"

"He knows something is going on but I didn't tell him, like we agreed."

I shook my head and splayed a hand out in a gesture for more information than that.

Wren shrugged his shoulders. "He basically said whatever is going on with you is none of his business anymore."

Ouch.

My eyes prickled but there was no way I was going to get upset now.

Besides, Wren's side of the bond went eerily quiet, which meant he was concentrating on keeping me out. Why? I narrowed my eyes. There was something he wasn't sharing.

Something about Taran?

The moment I felt curiosity pique, I shut it down, fortifying myself. Taran was none of my business anymore either. And whatever Wren's true reasons for coming didn't matter as long as I had a vampire at my back. Laura was right, it would be easier than facing Frank alone.

Knowing I would probably regret it, I looked at Laura. "You're in the back then."

"Nuh uh! Best friends get priority seating over stalkers."

Wren scoffed.

"Toss a coin or something then."

I got into the car and started the engine, hoping they would sort it out between themselves. They did. . .after one threat of biting, and another of staking.

Laura made it clear she wasn't happy as she slid into the back, muttering under her breath and yanking on the seatbelt with more force than necessary.

"Hey!" I twisted to give her a glare. "Be kind to Bugsy. She needs to make it through her next MOT."

"As if it will. Unless you plan to hide the gaffer-tape holding bits of it together."

I fell silent. She may have had a point about that too.

With a sigh, I pulled away from the pavement and pretended I didn't see Wren and Laura sharing a look when the engine stuttered unhappily. My cheeks warmed. Why could they not have kept fighting instead?

The roads were busy with others travelling for the summer. The weather had been a blessing over the last month and we Scots knew to make the best of heat and sun when we could.

Laura and I babbled happily about what we would get up to when we could escape my mother's clutches, and the more we talked and laughed, the more I could feel Wren's stare boring into the side of my face. He sat in his usual stony silence, but he wasn't just listening to our conversation, I could feel a tickle through the bond, like searching fingers.

My hands tightened on the steering wheel. I spotted his cocky grin out of the corner of my eyes but couldn't risk looking away from the road to shoot him a glare. And I couldn't tell him to stay out of my head without raising Laura's suspicions.

We'd barely been driving an hour before our late night caught up with Laura and gentle breaths filled the back of the car. She probably needed the nap, she'd been working every night this week, however, being left in silence with Wren was uncomfortable.

"You can turn the radio back on," I offered.

Wren shook his head, propping an elbow on the door. "You hear music, I hear static over computerised sounds and voices."

Okay then. No music.

Seconds stretched into long minutes of silence, made louder by the quiet stretch of country road we idled along.

"You want to ask about him," Wren stated out of the blue.

"Ask about who?"

"Taran."

"I do not." My chin jut out. "He doesn't care so why should I?"

Wren made a noise that might have been a chortle. "Fuck. You're both as bad as ane anithir."

Risking death, I pinned him under a glare. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing."

My teeth ground together.

Why did I bother trying to converse with a man incapable of more than a few words at a time? Unless he was insulting me, or reminding me he saved my life, and how much he wished he hadn't. Once again I wondered why he was even here in the first place. Why put himself through the pain of being in daylight, being stuck in a car with someone he hated, and stuck with her family too at that. It was probably a moment of stress induced insanity that had me pushing these questions to Wren, each one floating through our bond like a feather on the wind. His acknowledgement came with a feeling of being pricked with shards of ice.

"I'm here because the only vampire who gets to threaten to kill you is me, Sunshine. I saved your life, so it's mine to take unless you find another way to repay the debt." He shrugged. "Or until we find a way to break the bond."

I laughed mirthlessly at his threat. "You've been spending too much time with Taran. Believe me, I've learned my lesson not to make deals with devils and demons of any sort. If you're thinking of offering something, one of these transactions you vampires seem so fond of to repay this debt, it's a big fat feckin NO."

Reaching up for his aviators, he pulled them slowly down over his eyes with a smug grin. "We'll see."

God. How did I keep managing to get myself into these situations?

"You? What am I getting myself into?" Wren prodded at the glovebox that didn't shut properly anymore. "I thought your family were rich."

Irritation crawled up my spine. I had to remind myself to lay off the pedal lest I get a speeding ticket. "Firstly, stop reading my thoughts or I'll pull over right now and let Laura take your seat. Secondly. . .they are rich. I'm not. You probably won't have to worry about my parents too much you know. Mum will be too busy making sure every flower petal in the garden has bloomed just as she wants it for the next few days, and my dad never really comes out of his office when he's home." I studied Wren's old jeans and hoodie out the corner of my eye. "Laura was right by the way, if you don't want to get eaten alive by my mother, you should maybe buy something more. . .um."

"More like something Gwydion might wear?"

My lips twitched at the disgust in his voice. "Yes."

"Fine." He huffed. "At least I'll get to see you in something less nursery teacher."

My hand flew away from the steering wheel to whack his arm, but his hand caught my wrist before I could make contact. Yellow-gold flashed behind the darkness of the sunnies shielding his eyes. Something in my belly fluttered in answer.

A low hum worked its way from his chest, his thumb circling over my pulse point. "Your heartbeat is very fast.

"I-is it?" I stuttered, eyes glued to the winding country road, even while I tried to tug myself free from his grip.

Was killing us all in an accident how he wanted the debt to be repaid?

I was no more relieved when he did release me. I could still feeling the ghost of his fingers on my skin as I gripped the steering wheel again and tried to settle the butterflies in my stomach. Wren's head cocked to one side with an expression of deep though.

"I wasn't sure you felt the same way I did," he murmured quietly, almost as if he meant it for himself.

Uncertain about what he meant, my thoughts were too jumbled to form a reply anyway, and then shattered completely when his hand crept across the car to encompass my bare thigh, just below where the floral shorts I wore ended. My entire body jolted like I'd been struck by lightening, causing the car to suddenly lurch forward, and then back when I panicked and hit the break.

"The fuck?" Laura startled in the back, bolting upright

Wren lurched his hand back to his own lap but stared at his palm with that same confounded expression.

Face hot, voice rough, I croaked out an apology to Laura, "Sorry, rabbit ran out."

"Are you sure?" Wren made as if to peer at the road behind us. "I could have sworn it was a mouse."

***

The driveway to the home I'd grown up in wasn't quite as grand as the one leading to An Toiseach, but Wren still sat up in his seat and snorted at the sight of open, wrought iron gate, and the sprawling two story Manor House. It was no where near as old as An Toiseach headquarters either, nor many of the other cottages and houses dotted around this part of the countryside, but it did its best to look the part with the ivy climbing up the pale walls and its cute bay windows imitating Victorian architecture.

I grimaced as the doors swung open before I could pull up, mum sweeping out with a grin that turned to a judgmental glower when the car stuttered to a stop.

"Here we go," I muttered.

Laura leaned forward to pat my shoulder. "Three days, then we're back home. You can do it."

I'd have to now we were here.

Casting a wary look at Wren, the vampire held his hands up defensively and promised, "I'll be on my best behaviour. Cross my immortal heart."

"It probably won't be so immortal when Taran finds out the truth about all this," Laura muttered under her breath before she swung herself out the car to greet my aghast mother. "Mrs Campbell, it's been so long!"

I chuckled at the look on my mum's face as she descended the stone stairs. "It's nice to see you without all that black around your eyes."

Great. Barely out the car, and already she was insulting my friends. Laura took it in her stride, smiling warmly to my mother's face, then miming strangulation as she swept over to hug me. I had to do my best not to laugh, wrapping my arms around my mother's thin frame, nose wrinkling at the overindulgence of perfume that about seared the hairs from my nose. She pulled back to cup my face, eyes the same green-blue as mine glittering with scrutiny as she looked me over.

"You're pale."

That's what happens when you start hanging out with vampires, I wanted to reply.

"She's still more tanned than I am," Laura spoke up.

Mum's stern gaze moved reproachfully to my friend. Aqua eyes trailed up Laura's outfit, ripped black skinny jeans and a white t-shirt she'd stolen from me covered in small navy swallows. She'd even toned down her makeup, softening her usual black eyeliner, and swapping blood red lipstick for a dab of my pink gloss. Pursed lips betrayed my mum's disdain. Which was exactly what Laura had been after despite her effort to dress 'normal'.

"On the contrary," Mum said, moving to air kiss each of Laura's cheeks. "It is nice to see you making an effort."

"Anything for you, Mrs C."

Mum grimaced, but it was nothing compared to the expression that contorted her features when she caught sight of Wren skulking in the shadow of my car. Aviators still hid his eyes, the baggy hoodie he wore hiding every other inch of skin from the sun, as much as the curls of his hair hid his face.

"And who might this young man be?"

With an uneven smile so charming my mouth about fell open, Wren stepped to my side and offered his hand to my mum, answering, "Wren McCreary. I'm the boyfriend."

Mum's practised smile slid right off her face.

I was so busy choking on a breath, certain I was going to suffocate with the way my chest gave a panicked squeeze, that I couldn't correct Wren before my Mum was slowly shaking his hand with a measured response.

"Boyfriend? Sorcha, why didn't you tell me. I guess you want to share a room then...Laura can have the guest across from you but I'll need time to set it up."

"We do not want to share!"

My frenzied reply gained a smirk from Wren, and a questioning look from my mother. Laura stood behind her with a hand over her mouth that I could only guess was to hide laughter.

What the fuck was Wren playing at? He was enjoying it far too much. His side of the bond was practically singing with amusement.

"Wren has a bad sense of humour, mum, he's not-"

"Not usually dressed so casually," Wren cut in, tugging at his hoodie before pushing up his sunnies to reveal alluring brown eyes fractured with vibrant yellow. "I'm afraid I might be making a bad first impression, Mrs Campbell, but it was such a long drive, I wanted to be comfortable."

I glared at the side of his face.

Whether it was vampire magic or Wren was better at playing the part than he let on, my mum's face softened, judgment fading to understanding. "There's no need to be sorry. I'm only sorry I didn't know you were coming!" She gave me a sharp look. "If you're against sharing, Laura can stay with you in your room, and Wren can take the spare. That would be probably make your father happier, you know how he is."

"If I wanted to share a room with my boyfriend, I think I'm more than old enough now," I grumbled, then cursed myself when I realised that I should have taken that moment to say that Wren wasn't my boyfriend.

"Old enough or not, this is your father's house, so you'll live here by his rules." She glanced at Wren again then tucked my hand in hers. "I really wish you'd told me you were bringing someone. I invited some friends and told them to bring their sons." She sighed and waved a hand. "No matter. Lets get you settled in. You'll grab the bags from the car won't you Wren, dear?"

I smirked and twisted to look at Wren, handing him the car keys. "Oh Wren would love to carry our bags in for us, wouldn't you? He's so helpful like that."

His smile was polite, but he snatched the keys from my hand and trudged back to the car. I swore I even saw him give the sun the middle finger.

I sniggered.

Playing at being a couple might be fun.

"I thought we could go into town tomorrow to get you something nice to wear, and you Laura, then we could do lunch?" Mum proposed.

"Dinner," Laura muttered under her breath.

Mum either didn't hear or pretended not to, carrying on as she swept us through to the drawing room that was used as our more casual, family gathering room, because living room was far too common a word for my mother.

"Your cousins will arrive tomorrow evening," she continued. "and the day after, I will be too busy making final preparations for the barbecue. So tomorrow will be best. You will have to bring Wren along, of course. I'd love to hear all about him...and why you have been keeping so many secrets from us, Sorcha. Jobs, boyfriends, whatever else?"

"I haven't been keeping secrets, we just haven't spoken in a while," I excused. "I've been so busy with work and Uni, I've barely been in my own home."

Laura snorted.

Mum didn't need to know I'd barely been home because I'd been living above a pub, with a man . . .a man who wasn't the one masquerading himself as my new, helpful and charming boyfriend.

"Well, you're here now." Mum perched on the edge of an overstuffed armchair, smoothing her hands over her skirt. "Your father will be happy to see you. Now, tell me all about this new job of yours."

It was too early to have to start lying. "Actually, I should go help Wren. He doesn't know his way around and he'll probably want to get changed now he's here."

Pale eyes whipped to me, Laura's expression screaming for me to not leave her alone. But mum's attention was already shifting to her. "In that case, why don't you tell me what you've been up to, Laura. Still doodling?"

"I do make money from my work-"

"I used to paint for a hobby too, you know, have I ever shown you the gallery? If you would leave those dreary fine art for something more modern, you might find you do much better."

I grinned as I escaped, though I did feel a little bad for leaving Laura to deal with my mother's incredible ability to make one feel as though they were small. Laura was an amazing artist, one who I was sure could find a great market for her paintings if she'd let me help her, but of course my mum found a way to minimise that to a hobby. A dreary hobby. Laura could handle herself though. I wouldn't be surprised if she decided not to hold her tongue while I wasn't in the room.

I found Wren standing at the bottom of the staircase, his head tilted back to take in the intricate wooden railing, and the plush carpet covering the middle of the steps. The stone walls were covered in paintings of ancestors, historical memorabilia, and out of place modern touches.

"It was built to look old," I said. "The Blackbird is probably older."

"I can tell. There's not so many ghosts here."

My eyes widened and a chill pebbled my flesh. "Wh-what?"

Wren glanced over his shoulder, expression blank, but the bond between us tingled.

"You ass." I shook away the chill, telling myself he was just enjoying tormenting me. Ghosts weren't real. Were they? I didn't dare ask. He'd probably tell me they were just to watch me freak out.

He followed my march up the stairs, hoisting the bags at his feet along with them. He made a fuss of their weight, huffing and puffing along the landing to my bedroom. I rolled my eyes.

"Why did you tell my mum you were my boyfriend?" I demanded, opening my bedroom door.

I'd intended to take mine and Laura's bags from him to take them in myself to avoid embarrassment, but before I could point to the door opposite to guide him to the guest room, Wren barged into mine. Three long strides took him into the middle of the room. He looked around the baby pink walls and the fairylights around the roof, snorted, then dropped the bags. "I always imagined rainbows but pink walls is a close second."

"It was decorated like this was I was eleven, Wren," I remarked dryly.

"And you never thought to change it? I suppose you didn't go through a rebel phase in your teens like most people do."

"You're avoiding my question. Why did you say you were my boyfriend?"

"What would you have told her?" he asked, inspecting the various glass statues decorating one of the shelves of my bookcase; dolphins, horses, even dragons and fairies. No vampires though.

Lips pursed, eyes narrowed at the judgmental way he studied my childhood bedroom, I tried to rake up some clever answer, but all I could find was, "I could have said you were a friend, which is closer to the truth than boyfriend."

"And why would you bring a friend you've barely known five weeks to a family gathering? Especially as you were already bringing Laura." He turned to quirk a brow at me, smug when I had no reply. "Don't worry, Sunshine, a few days and it will all be over, as you said."

But I'd been saying that since I met Taran. And everyday something else came along that kept me stuck in their world.

"We could have come up with something."

"You had your chance to tell her the truth or make up a story," he pointed out. "You're the one who decided to play along, m'eudail."

My darling was still better than Sunshine, or Taran's Little Mouse.

Folding my arms, I watched Wren wander over to my bed. The sheets were a patchwork mix of baby pink and white, some patches with flowers and others delicate vines. He wasn't interested in that though. He leaned over the bed and drew in a breath, then went eerily still.

Brown eyes fractured with yellow.

My arms fell back to my side as I took a step forward. "What is it?"

"Frank's been in here."

Frank had been in my parents' home? My bedroom?

My father must have had him round to discuss business, I told myself. Any other options were too creepy to think about.

"Still think it's a good idea to keep this from Taran and Gwydion?" I asked, making a mental note to change my bedsheets. The thought that Frank had touched them made me shiver.

Wren straightened up, his gaze moving around the room as if Frank might be hiding in some hidden darkened crannie. "This was your idea, remember? I'm only here to make sure you don't die."