Grayson laid in bed, missing Ryder, for quite some time.He had one arm stretched out towards where Ryder’s fluffy wolf body had laid, imagining he could still feel his body heat.But when it became clear that it was only himself warming those sheets, Grayson dragged himself out of bed, showered, and dressed.He had things to do after all.
Including talking to Rachel Willis, ace reporter.
He’d pulled on faded jeans and a warm, gray, cashmere sweater that was just loose enough to be cozy while also looking elegant.His hair still curled from the shower as he shuffled out to the common room.It was very quiet.Only Eiji was sitting there.
He was seated on the couch by the fireplace with a cup of steaming tea by his side and a book in the other.He smiled at Grayson and inclined his head to indicate that he could join him.Grayson grabbed one of the fresh squeezed grapefruit juices from the refrigerator.It was cold and tart going down his throat.He drained nearly the whole bottle before he sat down kitty-corner from the Japanese man.
“We’re the only ones up?”Grayson observed.
Both Mairead and Amara’s bedroom doors were securely shut.
Eiji inclined his head again.“I think that Mairead will be recovering from all those jello shots for sometime.Even the good doctor enjoyed herself at the party.We stayed out very late.”
“You’re up,” Grayson pointed out.“And you pretty much drank Mairead under the table.”
“I am old.I need less sleep.And I was never a very good sleeper to begin with.”Eiji waved off the compliment.
Grayson shuffled his feet a little and took another sip of grapefruit juice.“I wanted to thank you for last night.”
Eiji lifted a thin eyebrow.“Ah.”
“How did you know that–”
“It was not Ryder you were dancing with?”Eiji’s eyes sparkled.“I have seen how he looks at you.And the being last night did not look at you that way.”
“No, he did not.”Grayson nodded.
“Was the imposter taken care of?”Though it was phrased as a question, it was really a statement.
“He was.”Grayson nodded.
“Good.”
They sat there quietly, each of them drinking their beverages of choice.Grayson realized howgoodit felt to talk to someone who didn’t ask questions, but who understood.Of course, Eiji was understanding something dark and unsavory.But Grayson knew that they needed people who could walk into the Vampire life without the qualms most law-abiding citizens had.
“Eiji, I know that Mairead asked this the other day and you didn’t answer–and you don’t have to answer now–but do you have a Bloodline you’re particularly interested in?”Grayson asked.
Eiji, who was taking a sip of his tea, waited until he had swallowed and set the teacup down before he shifted to face Grayson fully.“I see much value in all of the Bloodlines, but I do have some interest in one.”
Grayson nodded.“Would you be willing to tell me which one?”
Would Eiji think he was just being nosy?Or would the older man believe that Grayson was trying to get intel for some other reason?The truth was that he wanted to hook Eiji up with the right Bloodline more quickly than not.As a reward, but also because he was valuable.Balthazar was probably already planning something elaborate and slightly ridiculous, but Grayson thought that while Eiji played his cards relatively close to his vest that he might want to cut to the chase.
“I do not think you ask this of me lightly,” Eiji remarked after a long time.
“I don’t.”
“And you think to repay me in some way for last evening’s discretion?”Eiji asked.
“In a way.But more than that.I think… I think you’re exactly the sort of person that we need,” Grayson said.
He realized he’d used the word “we” instead of attributing it to the “Vampires” generally.
“Ashyr,” Eiji said softly.
Grayson froze for a moment thinking that somehow Eiji had guessed who he was.But then he realized that Eiji was answering his question and was telling him theBloodlinehe wished to be a part of. Grayson couldn’t help but smile broadly.His small Bloodline would get a new member.
“You would be perfect for Ashyr,” Grayson told him.“A Vampire named Dani will be reaching out to you.”
