All eyes fell to me and pin prickles covered my skin as it always did when the attention of a vampire was on me. Karson’s eyes softened as our gazes locked. “He’s largely immortal, but people like him who drank from the waters can still be killed the same way vampires can. But he is not as fast or as skilled as a vampire, so a blade like that is a defense for him and his wife if it was ever needed.”
Michael fiddled with the stem of his glass. “You searched the hidden room—did you see it or any weapons?”
“No.” Karson ran a hand through his bedraggled dark hair, stopping in front of the fireplace to warm his back. “But he may very well have a number of hiding places.”
“Has anyone thought to ask him?” I said.
Once again, all eyes switched to me. It was Karson who answered, “Yes. He denies it, but I doubt he’d admit to harboring a weapon with that kind of power. He’d know how upset I’d be.”
Michael straightened, his eyes narrowing. “You think he’s lying?”
Monique perched on the end of the couch. “Technically, he may not be lying. He may have carried it on him.”
The room stilled. Which would mean he gave it to Sarah, and if he did, Karson would kill him and probably Marg too. My heart clattered against my chest. They were good people. It was Bob who took one look at my heartbroken face and gave me a job in the bookstore when I first moved to Church Heights.
“Bob isn’t like that, he’s gentle. And he would’ve talked Sarah down if he’d seen her. Not give her a knife to fight you with.”
Karson rubbed at the stubble on his chin. Stubble. I’d never seen stubble on his chin. I’d never even seen razors at his place. I’d just assumed he couldn’t grow facial hair. Somehow, even though he resembled death warmed up, it gave him a rugged edge, made him look sexier. I wanted to run my hand through his hair, press my lips to his, feel his stubble on my face, between my thighs …
The corner of Karson’s lips curled up as if he could read my thoughts. No, he couldn’t. I didn’t have my ring on to block my powers … but he could probably smell my desire. They all could.
Fuck.
My cheeks grew hot as I ripped my gaze away, pressing my thighs together.
Michael cleared his throat. “I agree, Bob isn’t the type to want to hurt anyone. Vampire or witch. He’s a peacekeeper.”
Monique’s gaze cut between the two vampires. Her tone was pointed. “When his daughter’s life is on the line, I wouldn’t be so sure. Anyone, even the kindest of hearts, is capable of extreme violence to protect their children.”
“Rest assured I will get to the bottom of it.” Karson’s voice was deadly quiet. “And whoever gave it to Sarah will regret their imprudent decision to help her.”
Scowling, my eyes ran up and down his body. “You’re not going out tonight. You’re still not fully recovered.”
Karson looked at the curtained window, a disquiet on his features. He was not used to being vulnerable. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine, you look like walking death.”
Karson opened his mouth to argue.
“She’s right,” Michael cut him off. “It won’t bode well for you if others see you aren’t at full strength. Stay home and rest. Monique, you should stay home as well. You haven’t slept for two days. And I, for one, do not want to tolerate two grumpy vampires. Especially you two.”
Karson’s jaw tightened. “I need to be seen in case there are rumors floating around. I’ve been … reduced.” His lip curled in disgust. “This is a time to show my power, not hide away like a coward.”
Monique threw back the rest of her whiskey. “You need to be seen at full strength. The bags under your eyes look like two graves, which is where you may end up if you insist on going out tonight. Feed, sleep. One more night won’t change anything.”
“It might be a good idea,” I kept my tone casual, “if I go out and see if I can find out any information. I’m likely to be told more from the witches than a vampire would be.”
Karson hooked an eyebrow. “You will do no such thing.”
“Witches won’t hurt me,” I implored. “Sarah isn’t in Portland. I’ll be perfectly safe.”
“No one bar Caron and a few trusted vampires know you’re here, Amelia,” Michael answered. “It’s best it’s kept that way. If Sarah does return to Portland she will ask around, and chances are she will think we have you hidden elsewhere. It may buy us some time, at least.”
That hardly made sense. If she thought Karson cared about me, which was her whole diabolical reason to murder me in bitter, twisted revenge, then his house would be the first place she would look.
I hooked my own eyebrow. “You don’t think the vampires Karson has guarding the house might give away my presence?”
“She won’t know if they are guarding the premises because you’re here or because Karson wants to make it look like you are as a trap.”
