“Very much, but it would bother me more if you couldn’t move freely in this mausoleum of vampires. Your safety is more important than territorial jealousy.”
We walked on in silence.
“You know,” I said, “it’s actually a pretty ugly ring, if you really look at it.”
He turned and gave me a big kiss. “It is, isn’t it? Brutish. Lacking in subtlety and beauty.”
“My thoughts exactly,” I said.
“I do so love you. Now bring that hideous hunk of junk over here and get us out.” He stepped back to make room for me.
I waved my hand as I’d seen Vlad do it and the panel slid open. Cadmael and Vlad were leaning against opposite walls, silently waiting.
“That took longer than I’d thought,” Vlad said.
I felt my cheeks pink. “Sorry! That was my fault. I didn’t realize anyone was waiting for me, so I went for a walk.”
“She needed a moment,” Clive said. “The wolves took out their anger on her.”
“Always anger with wolves,” Cadmael said.
“Standing right here,” I grumbled.
White teeth shone in the dim light as Vlad grinned at me.
“Besides,” I said, “they had reason to be upset.”
“True.” Vlad pushed off the wall, the humor leaving his face as he addressed Clive. “Have you been approached by anyone grumbling about the Guild being too soft, too content to hide our kind?”
Clive looked between the two men. “Why do you ask?”
I stuffed my hands in my pockets with a sigh. “Always so cagey. Conversations take forever with you guys. How about if you all accept that you respect and trust one another and then just say what you want to say?”
Clive shook his head, but Vlad laughed.
“And this is what you get,” Vlad said, “when you take a wolf to mate.”
“Yes,” Cadmael said disapprovingly.
“No, no,” Vlad began, pointing a finger at Cadmael. “I meant no insult. I appreciate the frankness of wolves like this one. She didn’t stop to weigh the consequences of shouting at vampires or taking away their food. She did what she felt was right and was ready to deal with the consequences. Because of that—even though I don’t know her—I trust her more than either of you.”
Speaking to Cadmael, he added, “but you said yes as though you were agreeing with my disparagement of her. Why is that?”
“Cadmael thinks I’m a vicious dog who isn’t terribly bright, a gold-digger, and far beneath Clive,” I answered for him.
“No,” Clive said. “My friend would never think, let alone say, anything so cruel to the woman I love more than anything in this world.” He may have been answering me, but his focus was on Cadmael. “My friend would never do anything to make my wife think she was unwelcome in his presence.”
Cadmael looked every inch the Mayan warrior, eyes fierce, jaw clenched as he stared past Clive at me.
“People are allowed to dislike me, Clive,” I interrupted. “You two have been friends for a very long time.” I pulled Clive away from the stare down. “It’s fine. I already pissed off a room full of vampires out there.” I gestured toward the heavy metal door. “Don’t make me the reason you lose a close friend and ally.”
“I don’t think those things,” Cadmael finally said, his voice deep in the charged silence. “I worry. In the last year he has fought wolves, countless fae assassins, demons, and scores of our own kind.” He shook his head. “As Vlad said, you jump in to do what you believe is right, but who is left fighting to keep you alive?”
Clive started to speak, but I squeezed his hand. Cadmael had the right to say what he needed to say.
“You are my friend,” Cadmael continued, looking at Clive, “someone I value a great deal, and there are precious few of those.” Turning to me, he said, “I don’t hate you. I worry that his loving you will mean his final death.”
I let out a harsh breath, feeling that prediction like a punch in the gut.
