“If I reject Ahrun’s offer and mean it all the way down to my soul, will you be on my side?” I asked, trying not to show how important the answer was to me.
Having my will overridden was a giant trigger for me. It was a sin Liam had already committed once. I’d forgiven but I’d never forgotten. It was a thorn in my heart that I’d been content to ignore until now.
I needed to know it wouldn’t happen again.
“I’ll always be on your side. That was never in doubt,” Liam promised.
I released a shaky breath of relief. Good. That was good.
Liam moved past me. “Remember what I said about sticking close.”
“I won’t forget.”
Deborah stopped beside me as we watched Liam head inside. “Now you know why I chose the bitchy socialite as my camouflage. If they can’t see your pain, you can pretend it’s not there.”
Nathan looked over at us from where he was keeping watch. “Sounds healthy.”
Deborah strutted toward the building with a swing in her hips. “I never said I was well adjusted.”
fourteen
The interior of thebuilding was as unremarkable as its exterior. The only thing that stood out was the flooring. Marble, or something close to it. A failed attempt at elevating the space to fit the overall vibe of the city.
The sound of mine and Deborah’s heels echoed against the hard surfaces of the space. It was loud in the otherwise silent room, making me wish I’d worn different footwear for tonight. Something flat that wouldn’t announce my presence to all and sundry.
Sienna glided at Thomas’s side, her passage almost as silent as Eric’s. Impressive considering her heels were higher than mine.
I guess that was a perk of living as long as she had. Lots of practice time.
“This is the Playground’s entrance?” Deborah took in the building’s generic lobby with wide eyes. “Not exactly what I’d pictured. Are we sure this isn’t a trap?”
“Of course it’s a trap.” Thomas’s snort was light. “That’s how vampires communicate with one another. You’ll have to get used to that if you ever want to join our ranks.”
Ahrun gave his son an interested look. “You’re considering her for Aileen’s first child?”
“She shows promise, does she not?”
Ahrun pursed his lips. “Too early to tell.”
“Father, you’re getting blind in your old age. The child has shown an admirable ability to adapt and endure. Exactly the traits she’ll need to support Aileen.”
Given this was the second time he’d mentioned the possibility of Deborah’s future transition, it was easier to let the words flow right over me.
“Appearances are deceiving,” I told Deborah in response to her earlier statement.
There was no need to let Thomas wind me up. Whatever Deborah’s future, it was just that. The future. We had years before any sort of decision needed to be made. Decades likely, since a vampire’s blood allowed a companion to maintain their youth for years past what was normal for a human.
As for this place, Deborah was blind to the power teasing the edge of my senses. A low hum of magic welled from a place deep beneath our feet. Its near constant pulse making me feel like I was standing on a super conductor.
What the hell did they have under this building that I could feel it even through dozens of feet of concrete and steel?
Distracted as I was, trying to figure that question out, I almost missed the ding that announced the elevator’s arrival. Its doors opened to reveal a gnome standing inside, dressed like an elevator operator from the fifties in a red jacket with gold buttons marching down either side, a matching hat on his head.
“Going down?” the gnome asked in a deep voice that belied his short stature.
He was older, his face creased with lines and his nose unexpectedly large for his features. His eyes were disconcertingly intelligent, full of a wisdom that could only be gained from a lifetime of experiences. He also had pointed ears that were easily visible through his well combed hair.
“Indeed, we are,” Thomas said, stepping forward to hand the elevator operator an invitation engraved with a gold leaf sigil.
