She had a good point but he would still worry. He just stared down at her, frown firmly in place.

“Damn. Fine.” Kira threw up her arms. “You board up the windows. I’m going to get in bed. Hurry up.”

She strode over to his bed, pulling back the covers.

He went after his pants and put them on. “I’ll be right back.”

Chapter Eighteen

“No!”

Kira flinched at the volume of Lorn’s voice. “Come on. Are we really going to argue the first day we’re mates?”

He crossed his arms over his chest, barring the door to the hallway. “If you think I’m going to allow you to walk around the house with the curtains still open, then yes. We are.”

“I need to find out if I have a better tolerance for the sun.”

“Give it a few more days.”

“How do you think you can prevent me from doing it after you leave?” She put her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes. “I’m going to see what happens. You can either be with me when I do it, or at the lodge. Your choice.”

He snarled. “You infuriate me. I could tie you to the bed.”

“You won’t. What happens if someone breaks into the house?” She batted her eyelashes at him and gave her most innocent look. “I’d be helpless. You wouldn’t want that.”

“Stop doing that. I’m on to you. You used to do the same damn thing when you wanted the last cookie when we were kids.”

She laughed. “You always gave it to me.”

“You were too cute to resist and you’d pout. Sometimes there were tears. I hated it when you cried. Don’t even go there.”

A knock sounded on the bedroom door. “Um, are you two going to fight all day?”

“Go away, bro.”

Lavos sighed. “Kira has a point, you know. We should find out how much tolerance she’s gained, Lorn. It would help if she’s seen during the day, if her skin doesn’t burn in the sun any longer.”

“Stay out of this.” Lorn lifted his booted foot and kicked the wood behind him.

“You know Brista isn’t just going to let what happened last night sit. She’ll keep at it until she has so much proof shoved down her damn throat that she literally can’t spread false rumors. I’m coming in. I hope you’re both decent.” Lavos tried to open the door.

Lorn leaned back, his weight slamming it shut. “We’re dressed but stay out there. You shouldn’t even be inside the house. I locked it up. And I don’t give a damn what Brista says.”

“I’m your brother. You gave me a key.”

“Think of Elsa,” Kira reminded Lorn. “Brista has it out for that poor girl. The sooner I’m walking around in broad daylight, the better. I’m proof that drinking blood from certain VampLycans can activate the Lycan side more. Hell, I barely had any from my dad. Elsa isn’t part human. If I can withstand the sun after being turned into a Vampire, anyone in the clan could totally build immunity to sunlight.”

Lorn appeared frustrated. “You drive me crazy.”

“Short trip, remember?” She grinned. “Move out of the way. I’ll run right back in here if I start to turn red.”

“You mean burn.”

Lorn wasn’t one to mince words. “Right.” Kira nodded. “That’s not on my list of fun things to do. Move aside and let’s find out how my body withstands it today.”

Lorn hesitated but finally nodded. “I’m not thrilled with this.”

“I see that. You’ve got fangs.”

Lorn stepped aside and jerked the door open. Lavos tumbled in but caught himself. He’d obviously been leaning against the door. Lorn reached out and shoved him. Lavos just laughed, turned, and strode back down the hall.

“I closed all the doors but opened the curtains in the living room. It’s sunny in there. Just run down the hallway if there’s a problem, new sister,” he called out over his shoulder.

“You stay close to me and you sprint to the bedroom the second you believe there’s a problem. Promise me, Kira.”

She nodded. “I will.”

Lorn walked ahead of her and Kira followed. Her hopes were high, as she saw the brightness ahead, that her skin wouldn’t turn pink again. A lot was riding on what would happen. Lorn came to a halt at the end of the hallway, blocking her. Worry showed in his eyes when he turned.

“I mean it. You beat feet if you even think you’re about to start burning.”

“I’m not going to instantly burst into flames.” It was sweet that he was being so overprotective. She reached out and rubbed his chest. “Move, baby.”

He backed up and got out of her way. Kira glanced at Lavos. He waited in the living room, standing in a patch of sunshine on the floor. She took a deep breath, blew it out, and put one foot in front of the other until the sunlight reached her lower legs. She paused there to keep her face safe.

Kira’s heart pounded but her skin remained the same pale color, not changing as she inched farther then stared down at the backs of her hands. Lorn moved to her side but kept his body from shading hers. His presence made her feel safer. He’d grab her if the pain struck and took her to her knees or something.

“So far, so good,” Lavos mumbled. “This is promising.”

Kira turned her arms over and exposed her wrists and palms. Lorn bumped up against her, one arm wrapping around her waist. He was already prepared to jerk her off her feet and rush her back into the bedroom.

“It’s warm but I’m good. I’m not burning.” Excitement rose inside her. “I want to go outside!”

“You’re killing me,” Lorn groaned.

“It’s been about a minute.” Lavos stayed back. “Give it more time, Kira.”

“You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“I don’t want my older brother to lose his mate on day one. That would be all kinds of fucked up.”

She knew he was trying to joke and she smiled. “True.”

“That’s not funny.” Lorn tightened his hold on her.

Time crawled by and nothing happened. Kira’s grin widened. “I’m not all Vampire anymore!”

“We’re not certain of that yet.”