Shit. I wasn’t planning on telling Gerard that I managed to get kidnapped by Sophie. But it’s hard to explain how I know of Igor without spilling the whole story.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
I give him the most abridged version of how I ended up being taken by Sophie, and how I managed to escape. When I finish telling my story, Gerard looks like he’s going to panic and freak out. Since meeting the man, I’ve never seen him so rattled. His face is ashen, and the lines around his mouth are deeper.
“How could you let her drink from you?”
“Did you not hear the part where I told you my hands were literally tied? Do you think I like getting my blood sucked by a random stranger?”
No point in confessing that I liked it very much.
“It’s very possible she knows where you live now.”
“How? It isn’t like this place is visible to the naked eye. There’s still a spell concealing the mansion, right?”
He begins to pace in a restless manner. “Right. She wouldn’t be able to find it… hopefully.”
“Hopefully? That doesn’t comfort me.”
He stops pacing and whips his face to me. “I wasn’t trying to comfort you. This is very serious, Vaughn.”
“I know it’s serious. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not a moron. But truthfully, I don’t think she’s going to come after me.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I don’t know. A hunch? She hates Boone for starters, and after seeing glimpses of my memories, she knows Lucca and King Raphael aren’t the bad guys. I don’t think she drank the ‘Tatiana is the best’ Kool-Aid.”
“If you think for a second that Sophie isn’t dangerous, you ought to have your head examined. She doesn’t need to come after you. If Igor is her bodyguard, then she’s important to Jacques. Maybe she’s his lover.”
That idea makes me sick. “God, isn’t he old?”
Gerard gives me a droll look. “All vampires are old besides you.”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t think they’re lovers.”
It isn’t something I know for sure, but I just can’t stomach thinking about the possibility. I don’t want Sophie to be attached to anyone romantically because I want her for myself, and that’s a disturbing thought.
Eighteen
VAUGHN
Ihonestly thought I would have trouble sleeping last night, but I slept like the dead. Maybe it was the blood loss, or the fact that Gerard made me drink several bags of blood before he left me alone.
Because I passed out early, I’m awake before sunset but, weirdly enough, still sleepy and missing caffeine more than ever. Man, I can’t believe vampires haven’t come up with caffeinated blood yet. I’d kill for a cup. Maybe that’s my billion-dollar idea.
I take a shower to fully wake up and get ready to go out. I don’t know yet where I’m going, but I’m definitely not staying home tonight. Sophie’s image pops into my head, and my heart seems to beat faster. Hell no. I understand getting aroused while she fed on me, but this is getting out of hand.
Coming down the stairs, I hear voices. It’s Gerard and two other male vampires I haven’t met yet. The conversation ceases when I enter the living room, and all eyes are on me.
“Ah, Vaughn, I’m glad you’re up.”
“The sun has just set. Who are your friends?”
Gerard’s spine turns rigid. “They aren’t my friends. This is Dean Davenport and Connor Callahan. They’re from the Red Guard.”
My eyebrows shoot to the heavens. The Red Guard is King Raphael’s elite group of soldiers. Why are they here so early?
“Did something happen?”
