by Lisa Olsen
“Naw, I told you, wasn’t never serious between her and me. I reckon Felix is more her type anyhow.”
“You think?” I couldn’t wait to get to talk to her alone to get the skinny. “I can’t wait to get there,” I yawned, snuggling lower in the chair. The sun was starting to rise outside, I could feel it, despite the closed shades. I wasn’t sure if I’d fall into a deep sleep with all the mixed time zones, but at least I didn’t have to worry about it being out of place among vampires.
“Is your boy looking forward to your arrival?”
“I haven’t had a chance to tell him yet, he’s been so busy.” I yawned again. “I’m going to surprise him. You don’t think that’s a bad idea, do you?”
“Who could object to a surprise like you?” His lips quirked into a half smile and I relaxed again, eyes drifting shut.
“You’re sweet.”
“Not hardly,” he snorted and I smiled faintly at the disgruntled expression I pictured on his face.
“Oh hey, I meant to ask you before things between us got all wonky. Were you watching me back when I accidentally killed that guy, Stan?” Accidentally was the wrong word. I’d taken too much blood in my first attempt at feeding without supervision. I’d never meant for it to happen, but it wasn’t like I’d hit him with a car. With Rob around I stood a better chance of feeding without killing, and at the time, I trusted him more than Mason to make sure I stopped in time.
“Who do you think took care of the body, yeah?”
My eyes popped open. I’d been about to ask him why he hadn’t stopped me from killing him, but the answer to one of the questions that had been plaguing me for weeks distracted me from the point. “Why would you do that?”
“You needed a little help,” he shrugged.
“Stan needed your help a little more,” I pointed out and he shrugged again.
“Wasn’t my call to make.”
“Thanks, I guess,” I frowned, leaning back in the chair at the reminder that I seemed to be the only one in my circle who gave a damn about protecting human life. Could I really ask Rob to keep me in check if he didn’t care about who lived or died?
“You worried about killing again?”
“I’m getting better at feeding, but yes. I don’t ever want to be responsible for taking a life ever again.”
“That’s why you had to go through that fella’s death. Otherwise you’d be leaning on others for a crutch for the rest of your life. Now you know when to say when.”
“It seems like a high price to pay.”
“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”
“You did not just quote Wrath of Khan to me!” I laughed, and Rob chuckled beside me.
“You’ll be alright, miss. You just need to trust in yourself.”
“If you say so,” I murmured, eyes drifting shut again as the sun sapped the strength from my body.
“I do,” he replied, and I felt a light touch as he tucked a strand of hair away from my brow. “But I’ve got your back in any case. I promise you that.”
Chapter Seven
The next thing I knew Bridget was nudging me awake. “Wake up, for chrissakes. You’re missing all the lights.”
“What time is it?” I blinked, hating the disorientation that fogged my brain whenever I first awoke. Surprised to find it pitch black outside, I stared out the window at the blaze of lights below.
“It’s after midnight here, you’re the only one still asleep.”
“Oh.” I straightened, smoothing my hand through my hair self-consciously.
“So, that’s London, huh?” I’d expected the famous fog, but it was crisp and clear out, the city mapped out below us in a sprawl of black and gold.
“It’s huge,” Bridget gaped, her painted lips slack as she pressed against the window. “How long can we stay?”
“That all depends on Bishop.” He’d either be happy I’d shown up out of the blue or mad that I hadn’t told him about it. To be fair, I had tried… “But at least a few days, I’m thinking.”
“Kick ass, I want to see it all,” she said, eyes gleaming. “Felix said he’d show me a part of the city humans never get to see.”
“Are you sure that’s such a good idea, Bridge?” I asked softly. “We don’t know all that much about him.”
“I know he’s rich and he’s got good taste. What else do I need to know?” she snorted. “I’ve gone out with guys just because I like their tattoo, what’s the difference?”
“The difference is his kiss can kill.”
“That’s what I have you for, bestie, to watch out for me,” Bridget grinned with absolute faith. I hoped I could live up to her trust in me. “Now stop being an old lady and appreciate the moment. We are in a private jet about to land in a foreign country. How cool is that?”
“It is pretty shiny, isn’t it?” A silly grin stole across my lips as I went squee on the inside. I’d be face to face with Bishop in no time. “How do I look?”
Bridget’s eyes raked over me critically. “I dunno, you’d better do the world a favor and comb your hair.”
I slipped past where Rob sat with Felix and Thomas on my way to the bathroom, and overheard them talking about security arrangements. Belatedly I wondered why there was no entourage for this trip. Hadn’t Rob said the Elder never went anywhere without his entourage? Deciding it wasn’t important, I blessed my improved vampire genetics for keeping my hair lustrous and my skin shine-free, adding just a touch of mascara after I ran a brush through my hair.
From what I could glean from the conversation outside, the house was about a twenty minute car ride away from the city and there would be a limousine waiting for us at the airport. When it was time to buckle up for landing, I rejoined Bridget who practically bounced in her seat in anticipation. I didn’t see much of the airport as we landed on a private jetway and were whisked away in the fancy car. We didn’t see much of the city either, but in truth, all I could do was think about our destination.
Okay, now close your eyes and picture the impressively spooky mansion in every vampire movie ever made… This was exactly like that, only on steroids. There was a wrought iron gate with a fancy electronic gizmo that the driver punched a code into, and a manned guard house. The guard inside watched us with enough intensity to make my scalp tingle through the tinted glass. As we drove up the driveway, I saw shapes moving out in the darkness. I thought they were dogs at first until one loped closer and I realized, it was impossibly large for a dog. A wolf, maybe. It was gone before I could get a clear look at it, and I didn’t want to say anything that would highlight my ignorance.
The mansion loomed up ahead, the full moon perfectly framing the architecture. The main house itself was clearly hundreds of years old, maybe even a thousand or more, the wings on the sides having been added later with gray stone to match. At least three stories tall (maybe four, it was hard to tell if the attic space was a real floor or not) and big enough to be a hotel, it was easily the biggest private mansion I’d ever seen.
I tried not to gawk like a tourist as the driver handed me out of the car, but Bridget let out a string of amazements. A flutter of anticipation made my insides tremble as I followed in as sedate a pace as I could manage, my shoes crunching on the gravel drive.
Beyond the great door was a large antechamber, flanked by two armed guards dressed in tactical gear. They weren’t members of the Order or vampires even. They were human, but off somehow. Not like Rob exactly, just… different. Another man, dressed similarly but without a visible weapon, waved Felix and Thomas right through, but blocked my path when I tried to follow them.
The man’s dark blonde hair curled around his ears, a dusting of hair covering his chin as well. He was shorter than the other two guards, but broader, his muscular chest easily blocking my way. He might have been a handsome man if not for the air of menace that surrounded him. As I stepped closer, I got a whiff of something I couldn’t quite place mixed with body odor. Didn’t he believe in deodo
rant?
I looked to Rob for reassurance and he was nowhere to be found. “We’re um, with them,” I offered, but Mr. Smiley didn’t seem to care.
“Do you have any weapons to declare?” he asked, his accent American, to my surprise.
“No, of course not.”
“Name?”
“Anja Gudrun.”
“Chip?” Where the heck had Rob disappeared to? I surrendered my wrist to be scanned, holding my breath as he studied his screen. “You’re not on the list. What’s your business with the House of Vetis?”
“I’m here to see Bishop.”
“Is he expecting you?”
“Well… no, but he’ll want to see me.”
“Uh huh,” he smirked, making me wonder if it was because he thought it an outrageous claim, or too common.
“No really, she’s his sweetiepie,” Bridget piped up. “And boy, is he gonna be pissed if he finds out you’ve been hassling us.”
“Name?” He switched his attention to Bridget, leaning closer to sniff the air around her.
“Bridget Russo. Hey, back off buddy, I know I could use a shower,” she scowled as he loomed too close into her personal space. He didn’t ask her for a chip, so he must have figured out she wasn’t a vampire somehow.
“Look, could you just call Bishop and let him know I’m here, please? We’ve been traveling a long time. Or better yet, let me call him.” I reached into my pocket for my phone and quick as anything his hand shot out to grab my wrist, pulling it out the rest of the way. Once he saw it was only a cell phone, he let go without an apology.
“Talk about jumpy…” Bridget murmured out the side of her mouth.
Without another word he picked up the receiver to a phone set into the wall. I guessed he called some kind of security desk rather than Bishop himself, as he reported pretty much what we’d told him. I couldn’t hear the response on the other side of the line, and his expression gave nothing away as he hung up.
“Is he coming?” I asked with a hopeful smile.
“Wait over there.” He pointed to a pair of chairs tucked against the side of the chamber next to an enormous plant.
“What’s the B.F.D.?” Bridget asked as we took a seat. “How come they didn’t let us in with Felix?”
“I don’t know, it’s a lot of security,” I agreed. “I guess that’s the price you pay when you run with the big dogs.” The sound of boots ringing on a polished floor had me up on my feet, an eager smile on my face as they grew near. My smile fell as a man I didn’t recognize stepped through the arch, wearing a Navy watch sweater and dark pants with a ton of pockets on them like Bishop liked to wear. His brown hair was high and tight on the sides, but long bangs fell over his brow, swept to one side over blue eyes that crinkled in amusement once he saw me.
“Miss Gudrun?”
“That’s me, Anja.”
“I’m Fisher.”
“Nice to meet you, Fisher.” I took it he was with the Order, both from the single name and his bearing.
“You’re here to see Bishop then?” His Scottish brogue and something in his smile reminded me of Evan. He didn’t acknowledge Bridget at all.
“Yes, it’s sort of a surprise, that’s why he wasn’t expecting us.”
“Awright,” he allowed easily. “You’ll have to wait in the parlor until he can vouch for ya. I can take your companion to the East wing while ya wait.” He started towards the arch, but I hung back, laying a possessive hand on Bridget’s arm.
“She’s with me.”
“Yes, ma’am. It’s customary for humans to remain in the East wing when not in use.”
“Not in use?” Bridget’s eyes bulged. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Bridget, hush,” I cut her off, using a touch of compulsion to hold her tongue. “I’d prefer it if she stayed with me, if that can be arranged.”
The corners of his mouth turned down as he struggled with the right answer to that question. I started to think he’d deny my request, when his expression eased. “Hullo Rob,” he grinned.
“Long time no see, mate.” Rob sauntered up as though he hadn’t been missing for the longest ten minutes of my life, clasping Fisher’s hand warmly. “You been giving these ladies a hard time now?” he quirked a brow.
“Och, course not, but ya know how it is,” Fisher replied. “Will ya be seeing to their personal security for the duration of their stay?”
“Right-o.”
“Well, that’s awright then,” Fisher eased. “I’ll show ya to where you can take on refreshment while ya wait.”
Flashing Rob a relieved smile, I held tight to Bridget’s arm in case anyone got any funny ideas as we followed him into the house proper. Fisher led us through an enormous reception area, easily three stories high, to a spacious parlor decorated with heavy mahogany furniture. No frilly throw pillows or flowery designs; the room held a distinctly masculine flair, the walls covered in tapestries depicting hunting scenes.
Bridget immediately broke free of me and stood before the roaring fire, which did little to penetrate the chill of the stone walls. I supposed they didn’t worry too much about central heating in a mansion designed to house vampires.
“I’ll keep the ladies entertained. Why don’t you run along and fetch Bishop then. There’s a good lad.” Rob nodded his head towards the door. Fisher hesitated briefly before his easy smile returned.
“Rob, ya know where everything is. Make yourselves comfortable, but please keep to the parlor until Bishop gives the green. Protocol and all.”
I opened my mouth to thank him when I felt a prickle on the back of my neck and I knew he’d come.
Bishop.
I turned, not sure how to interpret his reaction to finding me there. Was he mad? Frustrated? Glad? I couldn’t tell from the shuttered expression on his face. “Hello, Bishop,” I ventured, coming to stand directly before him.
“Ma’am,” he said coolly, and my heart twisted in disappointment. Could we really be back to that? Wasn’t he allowed to have a girlfriend at the House of Vetis, or was he embarrassed by my sudden appearance?
“I’m sorry for showing up so unexpectedly, but…” I didn’t get any further, as I found myself pulled off my feet. Bishop wrapped an arm around my waist and twirled me around in a dizzying circle. My lips parted to let out a surprised gasp and he covered them with an enthusiastic kiss, clearly happy to see me. I clung to him when he set me back down on my feet again, half for the support and half just joyful to find myself close to him again.
“I thought there must have been some mistake when they told me you turned up. How did you get here?” His hands explored the curves of my face, as though he still couldn’t fully accept that I was right there in front of him.
“We hitched a ride with a friend of Rob’s.” I kept it simple, basking in his attention.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I could have met you at the airport.”
“Well, you’ve been really busy lately and…um, surprise?”
“Yeah, sorry about that. Things have been…” Bishop seemed to notice we weren’t alone for the first time, taking a step back. “You must be pretty wiped out after such a long flight.”
“Actually, I feel pretty fantastic, all things considered.” As long as the sun stayed out of the sky there was no such thing as vampire jetlag. “What about you, Bridget? Rob? Are you guys tired?” I remembered them belatedly.
“Not so much tired, but I could totally use a hot shower.” Bridget stretched her neck first one way and then the other.
“Hows about I show Bridget to the East wing?” Rob offered, and though I didn’t like the idea of her going off, I felt better about it with Rob by her side.
“No way, I want to explore this baby,” Bridget objected and I left Bishop’s side to demand her undivided attention.
“No exploring alone. You can check things out only if Rob comes with you. We don’t know if there are areas that are off limits and it might not be s
afe for you to be wandering off on your own.”
“But An…”
“Don’t make me compel you,” I warned. I’d already run roughshod over her brain enough during the flight over, and I didn’t like to do it unless absolutely necessary. Bridget gave a sullen nod like a toddler.
“Come on, we can get you that hot shower.” Rob jerked his head towards the door. “There’s a good girl.”
“Don’t talk to me like I’m a poodle,” Bridget frowned, but she fell into step beside him.
“I’ll go with and show you to your assigned rooms,” Fisher volunteered and Bishop gave him a nod.
“Alone at last,” I smiled up at Bishop, and he gave a tired sigh.
“Not quite.” He was right, I could hear people moving throughout the grand house and if I could hear them, chances were they could hear me. “I still can’t believe you came all this way.”
“You’re not mad, are you? I know you said we should wait a couple of weeks.”
“No, I’m not mad,” he replied, brushing the hair back from the tops of my shoulders. “I should have brought you out here myself. Maybe I didn’t want to be weak…”
“Why would it be weak to want me with you?”
“This is one of those things we should probably talk about when we’re alone.” His hand slid around my waist, drawing me towards the door. If I’d worried about Bishop being afraid to show me affection in public, I didn’t have to. He all but declared his ownership of me in the way he guided me to the other end of the hall where a wrought iron cage housed an elevator.
“Wow, you guys have your own elevator?”
“There have been a lot of improvements made to the house in the last century.”
I focused on where he led me, knowing I’d be hopelessly lost if I didn’t pay attention. The elevator car took us down three levels, opening into a subterranean hallway lit by fluorescent lights and sheetrocked in modern construction. A few twists and turns and Bishop paused outside a door with the number two on it.
“Here, we can be alone. The walls are solid stone behind the drywall.” Bishop guided me inside the small room.
