"Neither one of you ran off and got engaged to someone else!"

He didn't flinch, but in his expression she saw her argument hit his conscience. "Everyone deserves their chance to explain themselves," he offered, but his tone lacked complete conviction.

"There's no explanation for what he did," she bit back.

Burnett inhaled and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Okay, I concede I might have been wrong allowing him that privilege. And I will forego any such actions in the future. And now maybe you and Hayden can make amends by explaining what you two are keeping from me!" He arched a brow at Kylie, raised hisfist, and banged on Hayden's door so hard it shook the hinges.

Once he'd taken his mood out on the door, Burnett cut his eyes to her again. She saw his mind churning, searching for answers. It was the first time she got the feeling that Burnett didn't know as much as she feared he might.

"Be forewarned," the vamp said, "if I learn that there's anything romantic happening here, I'm sending him packing ... less a few body parts."

Kylie's mouth dropped open. "Romantic? Oh, please, he's old. He's as old as you."

Burnett's brow creased. "Which is my point." His frown deepened. "Not that I'm that old."

* * *

Hayden opened the door and his gaze zipped from Burnett to Kylie.

Burnett growled. Then the vamp stepped across the threshold as if he ran the joint. Which he did.

Hayden wasn't happy about Burnett's grand entrance, but he didn't attempt to stop him. He backed up, allowing Burnett to come all the way inside.

Kylie swallowed, not sure how this was going to play out. Burnett was going to be furious, and as soon as her grandfather learned Burnett was on to Hayden, he would be furious.

"Okay, let's get one thing straight," Burnett said, getting things started. "No one is leaving this room until I have answers. And I don't care if I have to use force to get them." He stared directly at Hayden.

"And since I don't hit girls, I'd suggest you start explaining."

Hayden tilted his head up. "Explaining what?" he asked, not showing the least bit of intimidation.

Kylie had to admire Hayden for it, too. She loved Burnett and knew he wasn't unfair or unjust, but she still had a quiver in the pit of her stomach. The man had intimidation down to an art. And one he excelled at.

"What's the tie between you two?" Burnett asked.

"Tie?" Hayden asked.

"At first Kylie was certain that you were the one behind the dead girls, and then suddenly you are her ally. You lied when you told me she asked to be let out at the cemetery."

"I did let her off at the cemetery."

"Then you lied about her coming to you. I know Kylie, and she wouldn't have just gone to you for help without a reason, without a connection of some sort."

"I'm her teacher," Hayden answered. "I thought helping a student in difficult situations was a plus around here."

"And I thought you were smart enough to know when to come clean!" Burnett's eyes glittered with specks of angry green. "The only reason I haven't already kicked your ass out of here is that I want answers first. So start talking!"

Kylie, afraid this might get out of hand, moved between the two men. "Can Hayden and I have a moment of privacy?"

Burnett's expression hardened.

"Please," Kylie said. "I ... I think it will help get to the bottom of this."

Burnett's jaw tightened to the point it looked about ready to crack.

"And when you come back, I'll have answers for you."His frown tightened. "I'll be right outside the door."

"But you can still hear-"

"That's all I'm giving you!" he demanded.

She suddenly realized that was enough-for she and Hayden could go invisible and their chat wouldn't be overheard by intruding vampire ears. She nodded and watched the angry vamp step out. As soon as the door closed, she pressed a finger over her lips and then grabbed Hayden's hand and took him into the invisible realm with her.

"You can already do this?" Hayden's voice echoed but he remained unseen.

"Yes." Kylie held on to his hand, so she'd know where he was.

"That's amazing, Kylie. Do you realize how far advanced you are? When did you-"

"Sorry, but we don't have time to talk about that right now. What are we going to tell Burnett? I think we should come clean."

"He'll insist I leave," Hayden said. "And you'll lose my protection."

"First, I don't need protecting from anyone here. But I don't want you to go, I want to have someone I can go to if I have questions. Second, I'm not sure Burnett will make you leave. But if we don't tell him, he's for sure going to send you packing. Our best chance of you getting to stay is telling him the truth."

"I see your point," Hayden said. "But..."

"I didn't tell him, you know. He doesn't even know you're a chameleon. He just-"

"I know," Hayden said. "He's been suspicious of me since before you even left."

"That's my fault. I-"

"I know," Hayden said.

The sound of the front door slamming brought Hayden's words to a halt. Burnett stormed back into the room, his eyes glittering with fury.

"That man is impossible," Hayden said.