“The day I ever again allow you to tell me what to do,” she sneered, “is the day I’m a pile of ash, and even then,witch, I’d find a way to rise and choke your deceitful throat.”
Josh’s eyes widened as they darted between us. “The grounds are full of vampires guarding,” he said quickly. “Don’t worry about him, Amy, no one’s getting in.”
Monique’s coal eyes bored into him. “And yet, one single woman did get in.”
“I …” His face flushed. “Fair point, but I’m sure it’s only because they know who she is, and she probably took them by surprise.”
Monique’s jaw clenched. “A fucking elephant strolling through the yard would take most of those fools by surprise.”
“If it blew its trumpet, I think they’d find it,” Josh said, a dimple appearing in his cheek as he smiled.
The look Monique threw him was sharper than a blade. His smile crashed. “Tread very carefully, lowborn. Or you will find your head decorating the mantel.”
He held his palms up and squeaked, “No jokes, right, got it.”
“You think this is funny?” Monique looked heartbeats from acting on her promise. She indicated to Karson lying on the bed. “Any of this is funny?”
“No.” He shifted on his feet. “I mean … obviously not. Sorry, I tend to crack jokes when I’m nervous or upset, or you know, just because … you know … laughing is better than crying.”
I grabbed a leather jacket from the hook behind the door and slipped it on. “Josh, could you come and get me please if he wakes, or if there’s any change at all.”
He smiled tightly. “Yeah sure, of course.”
Dahlia was in the foyer, her sword pressed across the vampire’s throat, wearing black leathers as usual. The vampire’s fists were curled by his side, his body stiff, and his eyes darted around the room. Half a dozen other vampires stood around the edge of the foyer, tense. Pixie let out a breath of relief when she saw me.
Leon had edged forward, his arms out in front of the vampires, stopping them from attacking. “Everyone just stay calm.”
“Let him go, Dahlia,” I called out as I strode along the hallway and down the stairs.
She looked up, her face losing its tightness. “I just needed to make sure you were okay. When you rang and then hung up, I thought something had happened.”
“Nothing has happened. I was up, and it was dark, and I accidentally bumped your name.”
She lowered her sword and shoved the vampire forward. He spun back and hissed, his nails sharpening into claws. The other vampires stepped closer, forming a wide arc. Except for Pixie; she grimaced and hung back.
Leon faced them all, holding up his palms. “He’s fine. Stay cool.”
Dahlia smirked, her eyes scanning the furious vampires, no fear on her face. “Oh, please try it. I’m itching to kill someone.”
“Not helping, Dahlia,” Leon muttered over his shoulder.
“No one try anything.” The door banged against the wall as Michael appeared, tucking a vial into his jacket pocket. “We will not have any more bloodshed today.” His voice was calm and polished with a slight royal English accent that curled around every word. Champagne to my ears. The same accent as Karson’s.
Karson had the kind of voice that when whispered in ears, it made your pants wet. Whether from desire or fear depended entirely on his mood.
Michael was tall with brown hair, tanned skin, and a strong jawline, but in contrast he had soft lips and warm brown eyes. He was a full package of perfection. With the minor imperfection of the need to consume human blood to survive. You couldn’t have it all.
The vampires backed off. Not one would go against the orders of Michael. He was old and powerful, and if he decided to, he could take out everyone here. Although, I’d never seen him kill. Michael was a peacekeeper. The calm amongst Karson’s storms.
He also didn’t hate witches, unlike most of the others. “Lovely to see you, Dahlia. What brings you here at such an early hour?”
Dahlia sheathed her sword, and in the blink of an eye, it disappeared. “Amy rang. I came to make sure she’s alright.”
“I see. Well, why don’t you two catch up. I have some business to attend to.” He fixed his attention on the lingering vampires. “The rest of you get back to your stations.”
The vampires didn’t look happy, but they left immediately.
“Something to do with the dead vampires, I assume?” Dahlia placed her hands on her hips and called out to Michael’s retreating back.
