The Fae grinned. “Would you rather I said, apols for the olds. I’m looking forward to teaching Chazza here how to throw fireballs without torching your pine forest?” His accent was suddenly distinctly more West Midlands than its previously unidentifiable tone.
Dalziel chuckled. “Perhaps your first few lessons should be how to put out fires rather than how to start them. Charley will find a section of the estate that isn’t covered in tended lawn and you can begin whenever you like.” He shook his head as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was saying. “Charley, do please exercise some common sense in your lessons. I have a feeling Mr Merryhill might be an interesting addition to the household.” To everyone else, he said, “For the sake of my dwindling patience, can we please wrap this meeting up now?”
He dismissed Charley, Luc, and Isher. Then Rosie reminded him quietly she needed to go home to feed her cat — at least, Gethin presumed it was a cat by the way the woman spoke of it — so Dalziel kissed her farewell with a thoroughness that made Gethin wish he wasn’t so sensitive to the emotions of others. And then they were down to nine.
Justin assured everyone he would keep as many wolves as possible on high alert for anything that could be considered related to Sorley’s attacker. There was little else they could offer, but it was a considerable relief to know shifters covered a sizeable portion of the country. Most preferred to live on the edges of towns and cities, to have easy access to remote woodlands and hills to let their wolves run free, but as Gethin knew, it was possible to adapt to a city lifestyle. The two shifters said their goodbyes, urging Dalziel not to delay the meeting any further to see them off.
Gethin poured himself a Scotch, sat back, and closed his eyes for a second. Finally, thank all the gods, he was off duty.
32
GETHIN
He openedhis eyes to watch as Sorley eased the cork out of a bottle of red wine and poured himself a glass with a sigh.
“I thought they’d never go.” He pushed the wine bottle towards Edwin, then frowned. “What’s your part in all this? I know you were coordinating the search for that lad in the hills, but now you’ve ended up here with barely a grumble. What’s going on? Are you finally tiring of London?”
Edwin scoffed. “Oh please, you know me better than to suggest that.” He bypassed the wine in favour of some of Dalziel’s top shelf whisky. He caught Gethin’s eye and raised his cut glass tumbler in salute. “To a successful outcome, Hughes.”
Before Sorley could question Edwin further, Eleanor rose and gathered the dirty cups onto a tray. “You gentlemen don’t need me,” she smiled. “And seeing as I know none of you will be heading off before tomorrow evening at the earliest, I’m going to temporarily say ‘stuff the notes’. I’ll pop this lot through to Pavel, then I’m taking twenty-four hours off.” She directed her gaze at Marlowe. “Don’t let this lot forget to feed you. Dalziel’s a good host, but seeing as it’s pretty much vampire central now, he’s more likely to overlook one human. Be vocal about your needs.” She swept out the door cheerfully, apparently impervious to Dalziel’s annoyed insistence that he would never let a human starve.
“Not starve, no,” said Sorley. “But you’re not exactly bothered if they skip a few meals, are you?” His expression turned sly. “Or are you a changed man since the fair Miss Anderson started having sleepovers?”
“Don’t be a brat,” Dalziel admonished him. “Right, Gethin. When do you want to do this? The longer you have to adjust before leaving the better, but I don’t want you to feel rushed.”
Gethin checked the time. “An hour? I should call my grandfather as a courtesy. I’m not expecting his approval or blessing, but he used to be my alpha, and it’s only right to inform him. He can pass on the message to my dad, and frankly they can do what they like with the information. Plus, more importantly, I want to call my daughter. And her brothers if I can get hold of them. Just on the off-chance something goes wro—”
“It won’t,” Alec said quickly. “You have over a millennia’s worth of combined vampire expertise here. We will look after you.”
Marlowe looked a bit squeamish. “Fascinating as this is, do you mind if I excuse myself? I thought I’d check out your library if I may, Dalziel? You could possibly have something helpful.”
Dalziel’s nod was instant. “Of course. There are gloves available for the more delicate tomes. Please use them. Oh, and do make sure you tell Pavel your meal requirements. Eleanor is a remarkable woman and I do so dislike being on the wrong end of her wrath.”
Marlowe disappeared in a cloud of relief. Gethin wondered how he’d cope with the following few days. He hoped he wasn’t going to be a problem.
He felt the weight of Sorley’s gaze on him and smiled at the man who’d irrevocably changed his life. “What?”
“You’re going ahead then.” It wasn’t phrased as a question, and Sorley’s pink lips were pinched.
“Yes, I am.” He moved to get closer to Sorley, and Edwin shuffled along one seat. Gethin slipped into the chair he’d vacated and took one of Sorley’s cool hands in his. “What’s the problem? You heard Alec. I’m not going to be in any danger.”
Sorley’s grey eyes were troubled. He searched Gethin’s face intently, but Gethin couldn’t get a clear read on him; he wondered if Sorley was blocking him. He’d heard it was possible, that some vampires had an ability to practically cloak their entire beings, a huge aid in staying undetected by those who could normally find anyone. It would certainly explain how Alec had remained off Dalziel’s radar for so long. But now, he had his own vampire to appease. Ignoring the others, he cupped Sorley’s face and repeated his question.
Sorley sighed. “I’m worried it will change us.”
“In what way?” Surely it would put them on a more even footing? What was he concerned about?
“I have a…different relationship with Melody than I do with Dalziel.”
Gethin felt his brow furrow. “I should think so, love. You’re gay. Or have you forgotten?” He felt amusement coming off both Alec and Edwin, but strangely none from Dalziel. He looked at them all. “What am I missing?”
“Ahh,” Dalziel said slowly. “Sorley, nobody expectsyouto turn Gethin. That could indeed potentially create some…initial friction in your relationship.” He gave Gethin a quick, tight smile. “The bond between a sire and their progeny can be exceptional. It’s designed that way, so that we may protect those we’ve brought over to this new life. It is also often highly sexual, regardless of the orientation of the newly-turned vampire when they were human. The desire for blood complicates everything for a while.” Gethin knew this, had heard Sorley tell him that his sexual urges didn’t always align with his identity, but it still felt strange to hear it. Shit, would he suddenly want to have sex with a woman? Or another man? He fervently hoped he wouldn’t want anyone but Sorley. Hedidn’twant anyone but Sorley. That wouldn’t change just because he was thirsting for blood, would it?
Dalziel was still talking. “I should have known better than to assume you would realise, my friend.” He was standing behind Sorley, one firm hand clasping his progeny’s shoulder. “But I will expect you to do the initial honours.” He glanced at Gethin apologetically. “In an emergency, I would drain you, but,” He winced, “frankly I would rather not if it can be avoided.”
Alec and Edwin both grinned widely. “Somuch wolf,” Edwin laughed. “Yeah, don’t take offence, Hughes, but I won’t be lining up for a donation today either. I’m sure Sorley thinks you taste fine, but it’s a hard pass from me.”
“Slow down!” Sorley held up a ‘hang on a minute’ finger. He frowned at Edwin. “I’ve worked out you already knew all about this, you sly sod, keeping it quiet. But who’s turning Gethin?”
