The entrance door fell shut behind Cain, and Oliver’s gaze fell on Maya who picked up her black doctor’s bag.

“Blake, Oliver, a word.” She motioned them into the foyer, but turned before they reached it to look back at Ursula. “Everything will turn out all right. One way or another.”

Oliver noticed Ursula’s doubting look, then followed Maya, pulling the door halfway shut after Blake had joined them.

“Yes?” Oliver asked tightly.

“I’ll be speaking with Gabriel about this.”

“Why bother him? He’s busy in New York right now.” He’d rather not have Gabriel find out about this when there were so many things that weren’t clear yet.

“Just because he’s gone for a few days doesn’t mean anybody is going to keep anything from him. You should know that.” She gave him a stern look. “You’re both responsible for the girl’s wellbeing. Keep a close eye on her, and don’t allow her to leave. It’s for her own safety. Do we understand each other?”

Blake nodded.

Oliver grunted. As if he needed to be told. He knew what the drill was. “I’ve got it covered. This is my case.”

Maya raised a surprised eyebrow. “Gabriel will decide that. In the meantime, do as I say.” Then she put her hand on the door handle. “And Oliver, I’m really sorry I accused you earlier. But if you bite her now, Gabriel will have your ass.”

Oliver huffed angrily. “I have no intention of biting her!”

“I’ve seen the way you looked at her.”

Blake put a reassuring hand on her shoulder and opened the door in her stead. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he doesn’t touch her.”

“Thanks, Blake.”

When the door closed behind her, Blake grinned at him. “Well, let’s see how we can make our charge a little more comfortable.”

Before he could reach the door to the living room, Oliver pulled him back. “Oh, I know what you’re doing.”

His half-brother glanced over his shoulder. “Just saving a pretty girl from the big bad vampire.”

Oliver clenched his teeth. “You’re not saving her from anything! I saw her first.”

“What’s that got to do with it? She clearly doesn’t like vampires, and since I’m the only human around at the moment, don’t mind if I try my luck.”

“You’re not gonna try anything, do you understand me?”

“How are you gonna stop me?” Blake challenged.

Many things came to mind as an answer: to rip his throat out was one of them. Shocked by his violent thoughts, Oliver dropped his hand and simply glared at him. Blake knew full well that he wouldn’t hurt him and thus draw Quinn’s wrath upon him. But it didn’t mean, he’d allow Blake to make a pass at the girl.

“Why would she go for you? You really think you’re that charming?” he mocked.

Blake grinned and pulled his stomach in, puffing his chest out like a peacock. “Oh, I am. Much more charming than you can ever be. Plus I have an advantage: I’m human. I’m afraid, for once, you’ve encountered a woman who isn’t gonna drop her panties for the mighty vampire.”

Fuming at his claim, Oliver opened his mouth and let out words he wanted to take back a second later. “She’s already offered me sex!”

A gasp from the door made him cringe.

Shit, shit, shit!

He shouldn’t have allowed Blake to provoke him. In slow motion, Oliver turned toward where Ursula stood in the door frame, staring at him in horror. Clearly, she hadn’t wanted anybody to know what she’d said to him in that dark street. Neither had he. Not only had he told Maya about it, which Ursula thankfully didn’t know, but now he was even bragging to Blake about it. Stupid move!

“Guess my chances just went up,” Blake murmured.

“Shut up!” Oliver hissed.

Ursula glared at both of them. “If you think that I’ll spread my legs for either one of you, think again!”

“But I’m human,” Blake said.

“So are millions of other men in this country, and I won’t sleep with them either.”

“But you don’t even know me yet.”

Oliver couldn’t suppress a grin at Blake’s pathetic attempt to win her favor. At least it took the heat off him.

“I’ve seen enough!” Then her eyes shifted and she stared at Oliver. “And what are you grinning at?”

Instantly, he put on a serious face. “Just a facial tick. Don’t take any notice of it.”