“I know!I did!Caemorn only helped a little bit!”Balthazar's gaze swung to Caemorn who sipped his blood-wine absently while staring into the flames.
“You were quite clever, Balthazar, as you normally are,” Caemorn admitted.
The Kaly Vampire seemed quieter than normal–which was saying something–since he had spoken so effusively of Balthazar being his Childe down below.It was almost as if he were worried now that he shouldn’t have said it.And Ryder did not think that was because he wasn’t proud of Balthazar’s cleverness, but rather, more likely, he feared that Balthazar would come to regret it.But Balthazar was bubbling over like a pot on top of a high flame.
“And you say that I’m controlling Bone Bear, too?”Balthazar asked him, eager to hear it all again evidently.
“Yes, Balthazar.Bone Bear has been under your control for months now,” Caemorn answered as he added another log to the fire.
“I did wonder,” Christian said as he perched by Balthazar’s side on the opposite couch from them.“Bone Bear seemed to appear whenever you were upset and needed some cheering up, Balthazar.”Christian laughed suddenly as a memory struck him.“Do you remember when he got into your clothes?He was wearing a hat that one time you were so worried about the school!”
Balthazar’s lips twitched into a fond smile.“Yes, and a scarf.I have no idea where that scarf came from!”
“I think Daemon gave it to him,” Julian said as he sipped his blood-wine.“It smelled of him.”
“Really?”Balthazar looked charmed at the idea.“So what does Bone Bear do all day?I’m not conscious of telling it to go out and do dead bear things.”
“Bone Bear mostly guards Christian,” Caemorn answered as he leaned lightly against the mantle.
“Oh!Ididnotice that.But I thought it was you looking in on me!”Christian smiled, then looked a little wistful.“But I suppose it makes more sense for Balthazar to be concerned about me.”
“I do watch you,” Caemorn answered bluntly.“I have dead birds observing you all the time.”
“D-dead birds?”Julian’s eyebrows rose.
“Yes, a whole murder of crows.And not just Christian, but you, too, Julian.And, of course, I make sure I know where Balthazar is every moment,” Caemorn answered curtly.
Everyone went quiet.That level of attention–and care and devotion–was startling to hear from Caemorn.
Kaly has finally found the value of the pack, Weryn chuckled inside of him
“It shouldn’t sound sweet to be observed by dead animals, and yet, I am truly touched!I’ll have you know that I listen to your mind all the time!”Balthazar beamed at him.
Caemorn actually looked at his Childe then and gave him a small smile.“I am aware.”
“I don’t spy!”Balthazar rushed to assure him.“I just make certain that you don’t need anything.And when you do need something–”
“You make sure it is provided for me.Yes, I know, Balthazar.You are quite thoughtful about my comfort and needs,” Caemorn answered.
“Are you worried that something will happen to them, Caemorn?”Grayson asked.“Not just because of who they are, but who they are connected to you?”
Caemorn gave a single nod.“Balthazar is, of course, the co-leader of the academy–”
“He’s your fledgling,” Christian contradicted gently as he took Balthazar’s hand in his.“You look out for him.For all of us.”
Another single nod.Caemorn seemed to be unable to meet anyone’s eyes.He was truly uncomfortable being exposed like this.
Can he not see that he is with pack so it is safe?Weryn wondered.
He has no idea what that is.And he’s seen what’s happened to our pack,Ryder pointed out.
Weryn had been very near the surface since the foul words spoken by the Mirryr Vampire.Before then really.Ever since Grayson had been in the hands of another.Not that Grayson was any fainting flower.
Ashyr is strong.So strong.He needs blood,Weryn murmured.
Grayson was still eating and drinking despite the turkey comment, but he did stare long and hard at the blood-wine that was being passed out to everyone else.To his human nostrils it might have smelled disgusting, but there was a thoughtful look on his face.Ryder wondered what he was thinking.
Ashyr is strong and wise and beautiful,Weryn growled low in the back of his throat.His blood… his blood calls to us…
