Liam had done his best to make me feel welcome in his home, but it wasn’t the same as having a place that was entirely my own. Filled with my things and my presence.
Until this moment, I hadn’t realized how much I’d yearned for that.
I moved further into the space, feeling like I was in a dream. Hearing movement in the kitchen, I headed there, Deborah following.
I rounded the corner to find Sienna standing next to an over-sized island watching Connor press his ear against the wall.
“What is he doing?” I asked, joining Sienna.
As I watched, Connor tapped the wall softly before listening intently. Every few seconds he would move to a new spot and repeat the action.
Deborah stared at him like he was an animal in a zoo. Strange and alien with the potential to cause great harm if not handled correctly.
“I have no idea,” Sienna admitted as more tapping came.
Deborah looked as lost as I was.
Sienna watched for a second longer before turning her attention to me. “Is there anything else you’ll be needing at this time?”
I shook my head. “Not that I can think of.”
“Good,” Sienna said in a brisk voice. “My number is programmed into your phone. Feel free to call me if you have need.”
With one last doubtful look in Connor’s direction, Sienna strode outside, her heels clicking over the wood floor.
I waited until she was gone before turning back to my vampire brother. “What are you doing right now?”
Connor lifted his head from the wall to look at me. “Checking for termites.”
He said it as if it should be obvious.
I nodded slowly, debating whether it was worth my peace of mind to delve further.
“Does that work?” Deborah whispered, looking intrigued.
“I don’t know.”
Vampire hearing was sensitive enough to hear the changes in our prey’s heartbeat. Whether it could also hear a termite burrowing into wood was a mystery. One I’d never expected to have to solve.
“Where did you get this idea?” I asked, having a feeling I already knew the answer.
“Nathan.”
I massaged my temples. I was going to kill that man the next time I saw him. When did he have time to talk to Connor about this? We’d only had the deed for a day.
“I don’t think that’s how it works,” I said finally.
Deborah bit her lip to hide her smile in an admirable bout of self-preservation.
Maybe she’d survive this madhouse yet.
“Nathan said this was the best way,” Connor explained. “Knocking would startle them enough to send them scurrying. It should also tell me if there are any other animals in our walls.”
“Is this why you kept disappearing every time we went to look at a house?” I asked, memories of Connor leaving me on my own with the realtor bubbling up.
His slow blink was answer enough.
“Why are you concerned about termites anyway?” Deborah asked.
