Thomas’s gaze was speculative as if he realized there was more to the story than I was telling. I tried to look as innocent as possible. I was a little confused as to everything that happened and what I had done. Until I knew more, I was keeping silent.
Thomas didn’t pry any further, walking away as Liam lifted his chin at Eric in a silent order to report.
Eric didn’t move for several seconds. “You have six direct subordinates. Triple that if you count those who report to your directs. You don’t find your statement to Thomas about leading at all ironic?”
“That’s pleasure. It’s totally different,” Liam answered.
Eric made a hmm sound before giving his report. “All of Dominick’s vampires are dead. A few hunters were seen escaping in a vehicle. Our people are hunting them down now. Joseph is overseeing the transport of our injured.”
I quirked an eyebrow. “You mean Daniel.”
Eric and Liam were here. So was I. Daniel was the only one left unaccounted for.
Eric inclined his head.
I snickered. “Has he started complaining yet about the rust on the rebar that skewered him.”
“There may have been mention of it.”
I laughed.
Liam caught me as I tried to roll to my feet, scooping me into his arms to follow in Thomas’s wake.
“I can walk, you know,” I informed him.
“It’s just as easy for me to carry you.”
I relented. “Alright—but only because I know it’ll make you feel better after the night we had.”
And not because I was exhausted and weak from blood loss. Or that I was pretty sure I would fall flat on my face if I tried to stand on my own.
“Of course. I’d never think it was for any other reason,” Liam assured me with the tiniest quiver to his lips that told me he saw through my ruse.
I ignored him, moving my head so I could look at Connor, who was following beside us. “You okay?”
“It’s not the worst few days I’ve experienced.”
I grimaced. “I hate to tell you this, but that’s not as reassuring as you think it is.”
Surprise registered on his face. “Oh?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Not even a little bit. We’ll work on it though.”
Connor bowed his head slightly. “I appreciate that.”
Thomas’s abrupt halt ended our conversation.
An irritated growl left Thomas’s throat. “They’re here.”
Alches went on point. The shadows on the ground partially swallowed him in the same trick he’d performed in the Blue Pepper, making him both there and not there at the same time.
Connor moved protectively in front of me as Liam and Anton stepped up to Thomas’s back. Eric was a calm presence to our side as the pressure in the air popped.
Suddenly, there were three vampires dressed entirely in black and wearing enough hardware to tell me that this wasn’t a house call.
Their stances were vigilant as the one in the center addressed Thomas. “You’ve been summoned by the council to defend your deeds this night.”
Thomas acknowledged the order with a short nod.
