Bat out of Hell (9 page)

“
Thank
you.
”
She
ate
in
silence.

“
Try
your
wine.
I
insist.
I
think
you'll
like
it.
”
Gabriel
smiled,
his
black
hair
was
washed
blue
in
the
light
of
the
chandelier.

Ava
picked
up
her
goblet
with
a
shaking
hand
and
tipped
some
wine
into
her
mouth.
The
liquid
raced
down
her
throat,
sweet
and
fragrant.

“
Mmm,
”
she
murmured,
unable
to
stop
herself.

“
Good,
yes?
”
Gabriel
leaned
toward
her,
his
lip
curled
in
a
sneer.

“
Yes.
”
She
put
down
the
glass,
feeling
lightheaded.

But
it
couldn't
be
the
wine
so
quickly.
.
.

“
Try
the
white.
It's
even
sweeter.
It's
my
favorite
of
my
vintages,
1803
was
a
good
year.
”
He
put
his
head
on
his
hand,
staring
as
she
drank.

The
wine
slid
easily
down
her
throat,
and
she
took
another
large
drink
of
it.
“
It's
wonderful.
”

She
put
down
the
glass,
her
head
spinning.

“
I'm
glad
you
like
it.
”

Ava
picked
up
the
other
again,
taking
a
large
gulp
of
the
red
wine.

Stop.
What
are
I
doing?

She
ignored
the
voice
inside
her
head,
feeling
reckless
and
loose
limbed.

Gabriel
chuckled
from
across
the
table,
gazing
at
her
with
a
half
smile
on
his
full
lips.

The
main
course
was
served
—
perfectly
roasted
leg
of
lamb
and
carrots.
They
ate
in
silence.
Ava
tore
into
the
food
on
her
plate
as
one
starving.

What
is
wrong
with
me?

“
I
see
your
walk
gave
you
a
good
appetite.
”

She
noticed
Gabriel
ate
little.

“
I
suppose
so,
but
the
lamb
is
delicious.
”

“
Thank
you.
”

The
final
dish
was
a
custard,
exploding
with
thick,
milky
goodness.
Ava
stifled
a
moan
at
the
flavor.
She
sensed
Gabriel
could
read
her
thoughts.

“
It
gives
me
such
satisfaction
to
watch
you
eat.
”

Ava
frowned.
“
I
could
stand
a
bit
less
of
it,
and
you
eat
so
little.
”
Her
fleshy
form
was
a
point
of
aggravation
for
her,
and
her
mother
had
warned
her
not
to
eat
too
much
clotted
cream
and
jam
in
England.

So
much
for
that
…

“
I
eat
well
enough.
”
He
smiled,
lips
curling
over
sharp
teeth.
“
No,
you're
like
a
ripe,
luscious
fruit.
No
man
wants
the
withered,
thin
apple
hanging
on
the
vine.
”
Gabriel
licked
his
lips,
and
this
time,
Ava
knew
she
wasn't
imagining
things.

And
those
razor-like
teeth
…

“
I
think
I
must
be
going
now.
”
Ava
stood,
leaning
against
the
table
as
her
head
spun.

Gabriel
was
suddenly
there
to
brace
her,
his
palm
on
her
lower
back.

She
closed
her
eyes.

I
need
to
leave.
This
isn't
proper.

“
I'm
afraid
a
wicked
storm
is
brewing.
The
roads
will
be
impassible.
”
He
spoke,
and
thunder
crashed
and
the
wind
howled
around
the
castle.

Chapter
Four

Ava
jumped,
her
heart
skittering
in
her
chest.

“
I
must
go!
”

“
There
is
plenty
of
room
here.
You
may
spend
the
night,
get
your
rest
and
return
home
tomorrow.
All
is
well.
As
I
said,
Mrs.
Verness
knows
me.
”
Gabriel
put
his
arm
around
her
waist,
and

Ava
closed
her
eyes
again,
leaning
back
into
him.
Her
head
felt
so
funny,
and
she
knew
leaving
was
out
of
the
question.
His
tone
of
voice
told
her
as
much.

“
If
I
must
stay,
then
I'll
need
to
sleep
now.
I'm
so
. . .
tired.
”
Her
voice
trailed
off,
and
she
felt
his
breath
against
her
hair.

“
I'll
call
the
maid
to
see
you
to
your
room.
If
you
need
anything
in
the
night,
pull
the
bell
beside
your
bed
and
she'll
come
immediately.
”
He
kissed
the
back
of
her
head,
but
she
was
too
tired
to
fight
it.