With a grimace, I strip off my clothes and drop them into the trash. Then I take the longest, hottest shower I can stand and scrub until the water runs clear. I press my hand to the tile and drop my head, letting the water beat down on me.
I know Jamison and the others are probably worried to death. Hopefully, Mathias still has access to a phone and can getin touch with them. They’re all going to be pissed about how this turned out.
When my fingers become prune-y, I finally turn off the shower and step out. Searching the drawers turns up all kinds of treasures, from a toothbrush to a hair dryer. I utilize all of it and walk out feeling and looking a lot better than I walked in.
Mathias is pacing when I stroll into the living room. I study him, trying to figure out why he looks different, and realize he’s wearing his glasses again. He pauses when he sees me, then continues recounting the trial. I assume he’s talking to Jamison.
I hold out a hand for the phone, needing to hear their voices. He finishes up, then tells them I want to say hello.
The minute I hear all three of their voices on speakerphone, I drop onto the corner of the couch and breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank the goddess you’re all alright.”
“We shouldn’t have left,” Jamison says gruffly. “I’m sorry. Truly. It’s my fault we didn’t have a better contingency plan. I?—”
“Stop,” I say, interrupting him. “You can make it up to me later.” My tone is suggestive, and for a second, there’s a strangled silence on the other end, then the three of them all jump in to agree. “Besides, I’m in, right? And that was the goal.”
We’d planned to capture or eliminate Bennett, then I’d stay in Vanescue with Mathias, and we’d work to find the panels. It might not be what we planned but the end goal was achieved.
“What I found most interesting about today’s trial is that very few vampires are even aware of the panels,” I tell them, sharing the piece that’s been bugging me since we left. “What’s their play? Who’s working with the humans? We’ve outed Bennett. But which vampire is his counterpart?”
Mathias curses. “Whoever it is, they know Phaedra’s cover is blown. They’ll be coming after her. We’re in a holding pattern until they regroup and pass sentence on last night’s debacle, butgiven the end of the trial, I doubt they’ll pass a harsh judgement against us.”
Gatlin growls. “When do you want us there?”
Mathias spears a hand through his hair as he thinks about it. “Soon. We’ll call you the minute we figure out when and where.”
There’s a knock on the door, and Mathias abruptly cuts the call, then goes to answer it. A murmur of voices, and Mathias returns with several bags in his hands.
“I ordered you several things. Hopefully, you can find something suitable in there,” he says. There’s an intense look on his face as he hands them to me.
Eager to put something on so I can stop feeling the urge to slip my robe off and beg him to take me to bed, I tear into the bags. A nice pair of jeans, black pants, a tan cashmere sweater, a blue silky blouse almost the same color as my eyes, a pair of leggings and a matching top. I set them aside and dig into the second bag. A silky pair of pajama shorts with a camisole top, and the sexiest bras and panties I’ve ever seen in my life.
I hold the first pair up and swallow hard. Blue lace, demi-cup, and a scrap of underwear to go with it. Then the second. A more utilitarian, seamless set in a shade of gold silk that reminds me of Gatlin’s eyes. Final set is similar to the blue lace but in green silk.
“This might be the best underwear I’ve ever owned,” I tell him huskily as I try to push the images of me wearing the lacy scraps for him out of mind. “Thank you.”
His hands clench, and he takes two steps toward me. I stare into his eyes, wanting what he’s silently offering, but scared to take it and be devastated when he returns to Kallias. Hands shaking, I scoop everything up and flee to the bedroom. After closing the door, I slide down it.
The handle turns halfway and stops. I press my ear against the door and hear him swear, then a small thud as if his headhad hit the door. After a minute, it’s silent. The handle returns to its normal position. I don’t know if he walked away or if he’s standing on the other side, but either way, I’m relieved.
The little voice in my head whispers,Liar.
29
MATHIAS
My hand grips the handle to the bedroom. I turn it halfway, then stop and listen to her breathe on the other side. I close my eyes, tempted to call her name. Push past the barrier between us. She’s so close. I fucking know it. I tasted her surrender earlier today when I declared to the world she was my mate.
Vampires only kiss their mates. No other can claim that from us. Seeing the crowd, watching them reach for her, I wanted to protect her. Make a statement. Instead, I found myself ensnared by her and the fire between us. My fists clench as I remember what she was thinking.
Taking her blood established a connection between us which seems to work only when we kiss. Twice I’ve heard her voice in my head. I knew this could happen with mates, but it’s rare. Honestly, I always thought it sounded intrusive. Instead, it’s damn addicting.
Years of anger dissipate the moment my lips touch hers. The years of yearning for my daughter are still there, a hollow reminder of what I’ve lost, but it’s muted. Phaedra makes me believe there’s a reason destiny sent me to this world.
Someone knocks on the door, and I move to open it. Frederick stands there, fury making his eyes bright red. I tense, sliding my hand to the sword at my back, and raise an eyebrow.
“Bennett’s escaped,” he spits out.
Phaedra walks up behind me, and I open the door wider.
