She glanced toward him, her eyes widening when she saw him standing there. Rising, she hurried across the room to let him in. “Stefan, I have so much to tell you.”
He pressed his fingertips to her lips. “I know your family has forbidden you to marry me because of what I am.”
“You do? But how?”
“Vampire, love. I read your mind. And theirs. I have a solution if you approve.”
“What kind of solution?” she asked warily.
“I can erase the memory of what I am from their minds.”
“I don’t believe you. How can you do that?”
“’Tis quite simple. It will do them no harm. They will simply forget they ever knew the truth. I will plant a new memory.”
“What kind of memory?”
“They will believe I am a wealthy landowner, with estates in London and Ireland. Your parents will be pleased that you’ve made such a good match.”
“And it won’t hurt them in any way?”
“No. I give you my word.”
She sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers drumming on the mattress. It sounded so easy. Too easy. “When will you do it?”
“Now, if you agree.”
“Veronica and I were hoping to have a double wedding. Is that all right with you?”
“Whatever you wish.”
“And she’ll remember that we planned it?”
“Yes. No other memories will be affected.”
Bryony took a deep breath. She had seen him do some amazing things, but tampering with the minds of her family? What if something went wrong? What if he erased other memories by mistake?
Taking her hands in his, he lifted her to her feet. “Trust me, my fair Bryony. I would do nothing to harm those you love.”
How could she doubt him when he looked at her like that, his dark eyes filled with love and concern? “Have you done this kind of thing to others?”
“Every time I feed,” he said. “No one ever remembers me or what I have done.”
She pressed her lips together. Took a deep breath. And nodded. “All right. Do what you have to do.”
Opening his senses, he located her parents, Eli, and Veronica. One by one, he erased the memory of what he was and replaced it with the one he had mentioned to Bryony. It was, after all, the truth. He was a wealthy landowner, with estates in England and Ireland.
All went smoothly until his mind brushed Barrett’s. It was like hitting a wall. Stefan frowned. When he tried again, he realized Barrett was somehow immune to his preternatural power. He shook his head. Never before had he encountered anything like that.
He heard Barrett’s laughter in his mind.I know what you’re trying to do vampire,he said.It might work on my family but it will not work on me.
Stefan grunted softly. Leyton Barrett, it seemed, also knew a witch.
“Did it work?” Bryony asked.
“Not on your father.”
“What? Why not?”
