Run the Gantlet by Amarinda Jones Page A

otherwise, he did not want the soft-hearted Eloise being with him because he was lonely. This was al or nothing. Eloise had to want to be with him because there was no power on earth that could stop her.
    “No one compares to you, shorty.” What was it with mortal women? The few flaws they perceived they had seemed to blind them to their beauty.
    “Good answer, fang face.” She fumbled with her list. “I guess you’re used to women. You know—”
    “What?” Al his attention was on Eloise. She was cute when she was confused. Arrow knew there had to be a lot of conflicting emotions within her. No matter what warning her uncle might have given her, this had stil taken her by surprise. That she loved him, Arrow did not doubt. Curse or no curse, Eloise was not a woman to give herself away unless it meant something. He longed for the day she admitted she loved him.
    “Wel , I mean, you know, you must have lots of women looking at you.”
    Ah jealousy. The words “I love you” may not have come from her mouth but it was pretty close. He picked up her free hand and kissed the palm.
    “I’m yours, Eloise, as you are mine. Whatever happened in the past is the past.”
    Her eyes were enormous on his. “Um, I need eggs.”
    “Believing in us does not weaken you.”
    “I-I think they’re in aisle seven.”
    Eloise moved off before Arrow could speak. He didn’t fail to notice the look of distaste Eloise gave the blonde woman. He fol owed behind, his eyes glancing only once at the blonde. She smiled a smile he was only too familiar with. It was al promise and no substance. Arrow needed more than that now and he had that with Eloise.

    “Sineag is making a fool of herself.” Finel a eyed the blonde in disgust. She and Darragh had cloaked themselves in invisibility and taken up their positions to watch. “Her breasts are practical y fal ing out.”
    “Yes, but she has the vampire’s attention.” Darragh was not surprised by this, as Sineag had morphed into a near-naked harpy to attract him.
    Finel a nodded reluctantly. “He does look interested. This just may work.”
    “Yes, and more importantly the Gaunt woman looks upset.” That was most important. They needed to sow the seeds of doubt in her mind. “Al we need is for her to believe he is unfaithful and then that ruins any chance of the last test being passed.” Or of Caitriona coming back to life and wreaking whatever havoc she planned. But that was not something she wanted Finel a to be focused on. If she did, then Darragh could not harness her powers to save her own life.
    “Mortals are so foolish.” Finel a’s voice was ful of contempt.
    “You were one of them once.”
    Finel a turned on Darragh, her eyes sharp with knowledge. “And you want to be again. I’m not stupid, Darragh. I know you plan to get rid of us but I’m not as compliant as you think.”
    Damn. This was not what Darragh needed. Sineag could be dealt with easily for her own ego would destroy her. But Finel a suspecting her true intent was not something Darragh had planned on. It was true. The quiet ones were always the most surprising.
    “Then I’l have to work with you.” Until I can work out how to get rid of you.

    “Or kil me.” The two exchanged glances. They knew where they stood. “Either way that slut Sineag dies.” Finel a was adamant on that.
    “Yes.” At least they agreed on something.

    * * * * *
“What is it?”
    Eloise had been unusual y quiet on the way home in the car. They had borrowed Mesopia’s. Arrow knew it had to be about the woman they had seen.
    “Nothing,” she murmured as she began unloading bags from the car. “I have one last test to get through and then—”
    ‘“We’ have the last test to get through.” That she was thinking in the singular was not something Arrow wanted to hear. They were in this together. He loved her and he knew he could make her believe in it.
    “Yes.”
    Arrow took the grocery bag from her and clasped her hand in