“Dad,” Kit complained. “Roger’s right. I signed up for it.”
“Why?” Mrs. Mahoney asked.
“Because he’s offering a hundred grand a year, plus room and boardplusclothing allowance and healthcare. All I have to do is dress up and let Roger drink blood every now and then,” Kit replied.
“But you aren’t stayinghere.” Mr. Mahoney glared at Roger. “You’re going to Chicago.”
Before Roger could speak, Kit puffed up their chest, squared their shoulders, and stepped around Roger so they stood between their father and him. “People pretend that Nell’s coven is perfect, but it’s got problems, too. Vampires and shifters are always playing politics, and they don’t care who gets caught up in their bullshit. At least in the GLC, I’ll know who the bad guys are, and I can start over.”
“Sweetie, people are moving past it,” Mrs. Mahoney said.
Roger schooled his features to remain neutral. He had no idea what people would need to “move past” in regards to Kit.Zack probably knows. He’s a master of information.
“They are not,” Kit said. “The only job I can get is as a part-time waiter at the inn because you and Dad are friends with Teddy. When I tried working the donor house, Roger was the only one interested in me multiple times. I’ve got three friends, one of which is already in Chicago and one who’s leaving tomorrow, no substantial income, and the only sex I’ve been getting is from a friend with benefits who’s no longer answering me. What life is that?”
“You need to give it time,” their father said.
“It’s been four years! For a stupid mistake!” Kit clenched their fists. “You don’t know what it’s like having the town pretend you aren’t here! Meanwhile, Nia holds court every timeshe’s at a bar or the donor house. I’m suffocating. Going with Roger gives me a chance to find some happiness.”
“Happiness?” Mr. Mahoney shouted. “Your great-uncle went to Chicago and died within a year! How happy is that?”
“Oh my God, that was sixty years ago!”
Mrs. Mahoney turned to Roger with a pleading look in her eyes. “Please release them from whatever agreement you made. They’re still a child, especially compared to you, and the GLC is no place for someone as sweet as them. It’s just too dangerous.”
The three of them had sharp fears that were pinpricks against Roger’s mind. Each had its own heat and thickness. Mr. Mahoney’s was the fiercest of all, but the throb of Kit’s fear of rejection pressed in equally.
Roger could reach into their psyches and untangle these fears or increase them. He could twist their parents into liking him, butno.He kept a smooth, emotionless expression. If he weren’t a selfish creature, he might agree with Kit’s parents and tell them to stay in Taliville. But he needed blood every night, and he couldn’t drink frequently from Zack. And he needed the strength having a collection of pets would project. Other vampires wouldn’t accept him as leader if they thought they could take him down.
“Kit has made their choice,” Roger said quietly, intentionally lowering his voice so the others would have to focus on his words. “I won’t revoke an opportunity on the begging of parents when their ‘child’ is, in fact, an adult. Kit is aware of the risks as well as the many benefits.”
Only you haven’t told them everything, have you? You haven’t said you’re going to war. Roger kept his chin high, his demeanor aloof.Because it’s not supposed to be a war but an assassination. Kit will be fine.
“I have said everything I need to.” Gently, Roger touched Kit’s shoulder, and they turned to face him. “As I have promised,you can leave me at any time. I won’t fault you for making the decision you feel is best for you. The car will pick you up before dinner tomorrow unless I hear differently. For the record, I hope to see you.”
“Yes, master,” Kit replied.
Roger glared over at Mr. Mahoney. “And if I need to collect you before that, I can.”
“I don’t think you will, but thank you, master,” Kit said softly.
Roger kissed their forehead and squeezed their shoulder. He left the house before another argument began, but he could hear the heated voices as he made his way to the sidewalk.
Family. After three centuries, he sometimes struggled to remember his own mortal parents and siblings. His long stride carried him down the street, but his mind teleported him farther. Back to England, to the hovel he’d grown up in. Well, as grown as someone could be at twelve.
For some, memory could paint the past in overly warm tones, but he only found ice. The village Roger had lived in as a child had been small, barely more than an old churchyard filled with forgotten dead and farmers who passed from the exhaustion of their lives. His father had cursed at anyone in the house and lashed out with that anger. His mother had matched him in that temper. They had been tyrants. His siblings had been many. Roger wondered if his parents had even realized the night he ran away.I doubt they noticed for well over a week.
They certainly would never have worried like Kit’s parents were currently doing. And that was all Kit’s parents were expressing. Worry. Roger almost regretted injuring Mr. Mahoney’s wrist, but the man had laid a hand on Kit.
Only it wasn’t Mr. Mahoney’s wrist that Roger truly wanted to break. In that flash of a moment, Roger had seen Callum Wright’s face. Had heard Zack’soofas the stake slid into hisshoulder with a wet sound. Had felt the ghostly strike of his own father’s fist.
And like he had done for the last three hundred and fifty-two years, he smothered the pain of those moments. He had to carry on, and he couldn’t afford to lose his temper like that. His rage and anger went into a chest that he dropped to the bottom of his mental sea. The waters would remain untroubled.
He continued into the night, and his thirst itched his throat.
CHAPTER 6
“Honestly, if I have to pick one more color, I’m going to scream,” Zack said.
