Dead and Beyond by Jayde Scott Page A

Not when I knew she’d be all over him whenever the chance presented itself, and knowing Layla, she always found an opportunity to get all touchy-feely. Besides, I had a right to know what we were up against. How could I protect myself when I had no idea what was going on?
    “Did you get any work done?” Aidan said, changing the subject. He always did that. It had worked in the past because I couldn’t be bothered to pursue the matter, but he wouldn’t get away with it today. Tossing my hair over my shoulder, I shot him a venomous look and marched out of the library, ignoring his surprised expression.
    I almost reached the stairs when his hand clasped my upper arm, forcing me to stop in my stride. “Go away,” I hissed.
    “Amber, you’ve been in this world for less than a few weeks. There are things you don’t understand—”
    I turned to face him, my eyes throwing daggers. “Yeah, because you won’t tell me! You keep me in the dark like some delicate flower. And I’m not. I died for you. I gave up everything—my life, my friends, my parents, my career.” I knew I was putting on the guilt, but I had no idea how else to get him to stop being so overprotective. “Can a delicate flower enter the Otherworld, obtain an ancient book, and live? No, it’d wither and die. But I came out stronger because I’m made of harder stuff than you think. Heck, I’d even describe myself as a survivor.”
    “You’re pissed and I understand.” He took a deep breath, signaling me he didn’t understand a word I said. “But you’re going to have to trust me.”
    “Why? Because you’ve got hundreds of years of experience with your supernatural world?” I snorted. “Yeah, right!”
    “Yes, Amber. That’s exactly why. You have so much to learn.”
    “Then teach me, Aidan.” I inched forward and jammed my finger into his hard chest. He didn’t even flinch. “It’s like you keep me in this ivory tower trying to protect me. After everything I’ve been through I can handle whatever you have to say because I’m a vampire. There, I said it. I am what you are so I have every right to know about this world.”
    “Please, Amber,” Aidan said softly. I shook my head as I watched his resolve crumble. He sighed and the hall fell silent. I could hear the grandfather clock ticking in the library, and started counting. I barely reached ten when Aidan resumed the conversation. “You’re a big part of my life and I don’t want to hide anything from you. Lying can destroy a relationship and that’s why I think I need to tell you what’s going on.” I cringed at his choice of words, feeling bad. I wasn’t lying to him, just keeping a few secrets I shouldn’t keep. But the thought didn’t help get rid of my guilty conscience. “For your safety, you need to promise me not to tell anyone,” Aidan continued.
    “Who would I tell? Just look around you.” I pointed down the empty hall.
    “Sit down first. This could take a while.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me back into the library, then closed the door behind us. I sat down on the sofa and waited for him to join me, but he preferred to stand.
    “You know Layla’s a goddess, right?” Aidan began. I nodded, so he continued, “Her mother, Dara, was one of the best Lore Court rulers the paranormal world ever had. She was kind, strong, and caring. But she also had a few skeletons hiding in her closet.”
    “Who doesn’t have a few of those?” I shot him a look. Yeah, Aidan had lots of skeletons in his closet. He didn’t even have room to talk. And neither did I.
    He ignored my comment. “It seems Dara had a few vices, and one of those was her inability to resist the advances of men. Layla always knew she would inherit her mother’s throne as the Queen of the Lore court—until she found out her mother had strayed, bearing several children with different fathers.”
    “So she has a few half-siblings, what’s the big deal?” I rolled my eyes. “Is she scared of