Zane, of course, noticed immediately.
“Oh, this is gold,” he whispered, grinning like a fool. “Ko’s got an admirer.”
“Drop it,” I muttered with a flash of annoyance. Our little brother was clearly uncomfortable.
Zane shrugged, still smirking, but he didn’t press further.
Once the chef had the trays ready, Gregory stepped forward and grabbed Brumous’.
“Mrs. Wentzel and I can carry two of these to your room for you.”
“No,” I said immediately, sharper than I’d intended. Gregory blinked at me like I’d just slapped him. I didn’t care. Damned if I’d let him get that close to Seri while she was vulnerable. “Leave them in the hallway. We’ll handle it from there.”
He hesitated, glancing at Ko as if for backup, but he only nodded. Our little caravan marched up the stairs, and Mrs. Wentzel set down her tray as requested before trotting off. Gregory lingered.
“Enjoy your breakfast, gentlemen,” he murmured, fingers brushing Koa’s wrist. “Ring if you requireanyfurther assistance.”
Z didn’t even wait until the man disappeared downstairs.
“Ten bucks says he’s got a fang fetish. Finds them irresistible.”
“Twenty says he’s dead by Tuesday,” I muttered. “Remember. Don’t overwhelm her. She’s still adjusting.”
“Adjusting to what?” Zane snorted. “Being surrounded by three ridiculously good-looking dhampirs? Yeah, rough life.”
I rolled my eyes as I opened the door to Seri’s room. The thought of her waking up alone had gnawed at me the entire tour, and now that we were here, I could finally breathe again.
“Lord Brumous, nom-noms have arrived,” Zane called, but the pup was nowhere in sight.
Neither was Seri.
13. Stone by Stone
Casimir
She was in the bathroom, of course.
Sounds of soft, stumbling footsteps had reached my ears four minutes ago, then the closing of a door followed by water gurgling.
Despite being focused on Gregory and Mrs. Wentzel, I hadn’t missed a sound.
Now, staring at her bathroom door, my fangs pricked through my gums as I cataloged threats: Slippery tiles, unsecured cleaning chemicals, that moon-damned wolf’s nose just visible under the threshold.
Zane hip-checked me aside to set Seri’s breakfast tray on the window seat.
I placed my own tray on the dresser as I looked around, noting the lace curtains over the bulletproof windows. Blackout drapes would be better, but she needed sunshine.
Benefit-risk analysis on that later,I told myself.
“We need to sweep her room,” I muttered. “Electronics. Hidden compartments. Air vents.”
“You think Arabesque planted—”
“Seventy-seven percent likelihood of hidden cameras and listening devices everywhere,” I interrupted Ko.
“You think too damn much,” Zane muttered.
“This room gets swept twice daily.” I ground out. “She needs it to be a fortress.”
