“It’s a minivan,” I said, stating the obvious.
Connor looked a little too proud of himself as he held up a key fob for me to see. “The sales person at the dealership said it was the perfect vehicle for the growing family.”
I got very quiet.
“You bought a vehicle that soccer mom’s covet,” I said in a hushed whisper.
It wasn’t that I had anything against minivans, but we were vampires. Fierce, seductive creatures of the night. Somehow a minivan just didn’t fit our vibe.
Connor’s head tilted, that look he sometimes got crossing his face. The one that reminded me that he’d spent the last few hundred years out of touch with human society. “Soccer—that’s the one where they chase the ball with their feet.” He gave the minivan a probing look, nodding softly to himself. “This does look large enough to transport a significant number of the team.”
Finally, he was getting it.
He beamed at me. “It’s perfect.”
Nope. I was wrong. He’d entirely missed the point.
I rubbed my forehead, trying to figure out a way to explain it to him. “There are only three people in our house. Me, you, and Deborah.” The last was my human companion. “Why would we need a vehicle this big?”
I realized my Jaguar wasn’t exactly the ideal car for group events, but this seemed like overkill.
“You’re forgetting your sister and her daughter. Your parents. Deborah’s sister. All of whom may need to be transported at once,” Connor corrected. “Not to mention, we’ll eventually have to add a blood companion for me. Along with the vampires who will wish to join our House over the next few years. It makes sense to buy a vehicle to fit what our future will bring.”
“Who said anything about adding other vampires to our House?”
I decided to ignore the mention of a blood companion, aware he’d need one sooner or later. Free-range hunting humans in bars and clubs was a time consuming and laborious process. Most vampires moved to a companion if they could afford it.
“It’s inevitable. Strength and power will draw others. Already, some are eyeing our House as a possibility for their future.”
“They can eye all they want. I won’t agree.”
“You mean to say if a vampire, fresh out of their hundred year indenture, was fleeing from an abusive master, you wouldn’t give them safe harbor.”
My teeth clicked shut. I couldn’t disagree and he knew it.
Connor’s expression softened. “You’re a soft touch when it comes to strays. Others will realize that eventually. I’m simply preparing in advance. It’s not a move meant to force your hand.”
The vehicle beeped as he unlocked it.
“Now, let’s go for a ride in my new conveyance.”
“Do you even have a driver’s license?”
“I do. I got it earlier this evening.”
With one last worried look in the direction Caroline had disappeared into, I opened the passenger door and climbed inside. “Someone’s having a productive night.”
“One of us has to since the other ditched work for a personal errand.”
“Just drive. And try not to kill us.”
Rather than backtracking to pick up my car, we decided to go home since it was closer. We headed north, passing High Banks, a metro park named for the hundred foot bluffs overlooking the river, and the Fae barrow located there.
At this time of night, the park was dark and deserted. Its gate lowered to prevent trespassers.
A thick cloud of magic hung low on the ground. Fog-like, it stole through the trees like a wraith hunting for its next victim.
“Something wrong?” Connor asked, noticing my preoccupation.
