Read Online Tempt Me When the Sun Goes Down by Lisa Olsen - Free Book Online Page B

that.”
    “Bloody useless,” he muttered in disgust, wrenching his hand free from mine to dig in his pocket.  “I’ll let m’self in.”  He produced a key, which turned easily in the lock, but Rob came upon an impenetrable barrier when he tried to step in.  Apparently, he hadn’t been invited in since he’d turned into a vampire.  I’d already been invited, but it wasn’t polite for me to force my way in and try to get her to invite Rob. 
    “Let me try,” I suggested when his face twisted in frustration.  His emotions were all over the place, and I did my best to offer him a supportive smile before I called to his sister from the doorway.  “Leila?  It’s Anja.  We just want to talk to you, I promise.” 
    “Only the dead talk, and they whisper like leaves on the grave.  Begging, always begging…”  Her voice faded to little more than mumbles that I couldn’t make out even with my enhanced hearing. 
    It was clearly one of her bad days and I wasn’t sure what would reach her.  “Would you rather come out and talk somewhere else?  It doesn’t have to be here if it makes you feel unsafe.”
    Leila appeared at the end of the room, her dark eyes peeping across the edge of the wall.  “I’m not the one in danger.  I’m not the bleeding heart.”
    “I think maybe we should leave,” Rob said, his brow deeply furrowed, but I thought we were making progress.  At least she’d come out of the kitchen. 
    “We need her help, unless you have any other bright ideas?”
    “I’ve other family who might be in the know.  It’ll take a while for me to put the word out, ask around a bit on their whereabouts is all.”
    Time was not on our side, not after seeing how unstable Rob had become.  “I think we should maybe…”
    “You brung him low,” Leila accused, shuffling forward, her long hair falling over half her face as she approached.  Despite the cool weather, she wore a short, summery dress of bright green over flowered leggings, her feet bare. 
    “I know, and I’m sorry,” I said gently.  “But that’s why we’re here, to try and break the curse.  Don’t you want to help us?”
    “Don’t know much about curses.”
    I suppressed the squeal of happiness that she was actually talking to us semi-lucidly, casting about for the best way to draw her out, while Rob remained silent.  “But you knew how to make him the charm, out of my hair, right?  You know how to get around the curse, at least temporarily.”
    “That was only a bandage.  The only way to save his heart is to cut out yours.”  Her head canted to one side, dark eyes fixed on me.  “Shall I fetch a knife?” she asked, with the same tone she’d once used asking me if I wanted a biscuit.
    “I’d rather keep my heart intact if it’s all the same to you.”
    “It’s not all the same to me.  I want my Robby back.”  She began to cry, tears falling with shocking speed, down her cheeks and the tip of her nose.
    “I know, Leila.  I want him back the way he was too.”  Without thinking, I crossed the threshold, pulling her into a hug and she let me hold her while Rob looked on, his face twisted with regret.  I closed my eyes against the sting of tears, there was no time to dwell on what was, only to try to find a way to fix it.  “Is there any way you can think of to save him without killing me or Jakob compelling me not to love him anymore?”
    “Curse magic is strong.  Hatred lasts so much longer than love,” she sniffed.  “Have you talked to Stephanos?”
    “You mean Stevo?” Rob’s brows climbed.  “That’s a good idea.”
    “Who’s that?” I asked.
    “He’s a cousin, of sorts.  Hasn’t got a lick of real magic in him, but he might could know how to point us in the right direction.  Thanks, Bits, I know where to find him.”
    “Thanks, Leila,” I smiled, giving her one last quick hug.  “Hopefully the next time I see you we’ll have this curse thing beat.”
    “Hatred lasts