“Hmmmm,” Savannah hummed. “That’s different.”
I tensed at her words. “What is?”
She looked up at me with a distracted smile. “Oh, it’s just that Satchel and Ava have a weird relationship. They act like they dislike each other most of the time.” She winked at me. “But I’ve caught Satchel cuddled up to her like this on more than one occasion and Ava petting her while she coos nonsense. It’s almost like they don’t want me to know that they actually do get along.”
I eyed the cat again, determined to find out just what in the fuck was going on here.
“Savannah, do you mind getting me some water? I’m thirsty.”
Her eyes widened and darted down to my mouth as though she expected to see my fangs. I could have sworn the cat laughed quietly, but Savannah didn’t seem to notice. Then her gaze darted back up to mine. “Uh, are you, uh, well, you know…” she trailed off. “Hungry?” she squeaked.
I grinned, showing her that my teeth still looked human. “No. I’m taken care of as far as blood is concerned,” I reassured her. “The fire made my throat dry.”
“Oh!” she exclaimed, a dark pink blush coloring her cheeks. “Okay then. I’ll, uh, just go, uh, get that water for you.” She hesitated by the door. “But if you do, uh, get hungry, let me know. Rhys and I can figure something out to help you.”
“I’ll be fine, Savannah,” I stated. “I’m old enough to go a good long while between meals.”
Her head cocked to the side as she leaned a shoulder against the doorjamb, my request for water forgotten. “And just how old is that?”
“Older than any other vampire you’ve ever met,” I answered.
“How do you know?” she prodded.
“Because I’m the father of the vampires.”
Her eyes grew huge. “You’re the first,” she breathed.
I nodded.
“Wow,” she whispered. “I think my brain just exploded.”
I chuckled at her words and that seemed to break the spell.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes with your water,” she said, her eyes drifting back to Ava. “Call for me if she comes to.”
I nodded my agreement, waiting until I knew that she had gone back down the hall. Then I faced the feline on the bed. Only the cat was no longer there. I looked around wildly until I saw it sitting on the edge of the tall dresser, almost eye level with me.
I tensed at the way the cat studied me. “Why are you here?” I asked softly and let my arms fall to my side, readying myself for a possible attack.
The cat tilted her head to the side and stared at me as though she were considering her options, her tail swishing back and forth.
“Why are you here?” I whispered, taking a single step closer.
“The same reason you’re here.”
The echo of the soft feminine voice in my head startled me and I jerked. “And how do you know why I’m here?”
There was a low chuckle that I could hear in my mind but I doubted anyone else listening outside the door would have.
“Ewan Macgrath, father of the vampires, man of lost memories and powerful magic, I see into your soul. That is the only reason I allowed you in my ward’s home. You will protect them when I cannot.”
I’d seen too much to take her words at face value. “And why should I believe you?”
“Because I know who you truly are.”
I scoffed. “You know, that might have worked a century ago. But I met another woman who told me that she could help me find out about my past.” I knew my eyes were glowing. “She lied.”
The cat’s eyes moved to Ava.“There is a reason you are so drawn to her.”She looked back at me.“Look to your dreams, Ewan. They hold the key.”
