here in the car, the place’s proximity made her skin tingle. She’d fed from Hector, her comar, before they’d left. How much worse would the effects of the place be if she didn’t have his sweet, rich blood fresh in her system? Until now, she’d never understood how incredible it was that the vampire, Preacher, could live on such hallowed ground until now. He was indeed one of the most unique of their species.

John started back to the car. “He must be out. We’ll have to come back.”

“Wait.” She scooted toward the window. One of the doors had opened a few inches. “Preacher,” she called out. “Are you there?” She motioned to John. “Talk to him.”

With a nod, John returned and had a few words. Quiet words, because she couldn’t make them out over the hum of the car’s air conditioner. Assuming it was Preacher on the other side of those doors, he wasn’t being very friendly. The doors still hadn’t moved more than a few inches.

Finally, John came back and leaned his head down to speak through the window. “He says he’ll meet you soon, but not now.”

She frowned. She was the mayor and he was going to tell her when they’d meet? “I don’t like that. I need to know when and where. Tell him I’m busy, that I’m—”

“I told him that.” John shrugged. “He’s not exactly biddable.”

Lola leaned closer to the window. “Tell him if he wants to know what’s going on with his daughter, he’ll be at my house in an hour. After that, I’ll refuse to see him.”

“Be right back.”

While John relayed the message, she sat back, crossed her arms, and stared at the ceiling. The letter she’d received from Dominic had said only that the mission had failed and that her grandchild was now in the untouchable hands of the ancients. In other words, he’d told her to forget getting the baby back. Like hell she would. She’d hoped to enlist Preacher’s help before going to see Dominic, but that didn’t look like it was going to happen. Once again, she had only herself to rely on.

John got back in the car. “He says he’ll be there.”

She hit the button and closed the window, staring at the abandoned church that housed the father of her grandchild. The little hairs on the back of her neck had been on alert since they’d parked in front of it. She shook her head. “Get us out of here.”

This was Preacher’s loss. She’d given him a chance and he’d squandered it. When—if he showed up, she’d cut him out of this equation once and for all. Better now than when she finally had Mariela back.

What if she’d come here because Mariela needed him? What if there’d been a real emergency? She took her gaze off the building as the car pulled away. There was no place for him in Mariela’s life. Fortunately, she knew just how to get rid of him.

As Jonah left the office, Tatiana reclined on the chaise where she took most of her feedings. The power of his blood ignited within her, making her heart beat and lungs fill with air. She exhaled and nodded at Daciana, seated across from her. “You were right. This is exactly what I needed. I feel whole again. There really is no substitute for comarre blood.”

“None better,” Daci said. She watched the door shut behind Jonah. “He is especially good. Young and compliant and happy to serve.”

Tatiana tipped her head back to stare at the coffered ceiling. “They’re all like that in the beginning. So full of purpose and pride of place. Gah! Then they get full of themselves, think they’re worth so much more. That’s when the trouble starts.”

She smiled gently at Daci, who’d only meant to help, and softened her tone as she straightened. “I really must get another comar, as much as I am loath to.” She ran her fingers over the silk upholstery. “You did such a wonderful job picking out Jonah. Would you be willing to act as my emissary and go to Madame Rennata on my behalf? I have no desire to face that old witch. I know she blames me for her comar’s desertion. And I trust your judgment. I’m sure you’ll bring back the very best comar she has to offer.”

Daci’s eyes brightened. “I would be honored to! After all, you taught me everything I know about choosing one.” Her chest puffed up a bit. “And I am your Elder. That certainly seems like a job I should handle. Has Rennata replied to you on the issue of Damian?”

Tatiana nodded toward her desk. “Her letter is on my desk. Somewhere among the flowers and apologies there is her word that I am to be given full credit for his blood rights.” She shook her head. “I’m sure that will still leave money owed as I doubt she’ll let me have another for the same price, but I don’t care. Whatever it costs, I want the best.” She tipped her chin toward Daci. “The one you deem best.”

“I’ll take care of it immediately. Right now if you wish me to.”

Tatiana nodded reluctantly. “I do. I want to feed again soon. Build my strength a little more until I’m fully confident in my ability to face the ancient ones.” Thoughts of her dear, sweet missing Lilith dampened her mood.

Daci came to sit beside her. She laid her hand on Tatiana’s leg. “I know you’re thinking of Lilith. We will get her back. I promise you. Whatever you need me to do, I will do it.”

Tatiana slid her hand over the top of Daci’s. “I know you will. And I appreciate your loyalty.” She gave Daci’s hand a squeeze, then looked deeply into her eyes. “My dealings with the ancient ones have never been easy. If I don’t… survive their demands, I want you to know that I would be happy to see you as Dominus of the House of Tepes.”

Horror marred Daci’s pretty face. She yanked her hand out from under Tatiana’s. “Don’t say such things!” She stood and shook her head. “You need more blood. It’s clear you’re still not yourself. Where is that letter? I’m going to the Primoris Domus immediately.”

Tatiana pointed to her desk. “Right on top.”

Daci grabbed the letter and waved it like a flag. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Then we’ll get you up to full power and make our next move.”

“Thank you. You’re too good to me.”

Daci smiled and gave a little nod as she left. Tatiana reclined on the chaise again, listening as Daci’s footsteps faded. As much as Tatiana agreed that she needed a new comar, she’d wanted Daci out of the house more.

Daci was too dear a friend to put in harm’s way. With a sigh, Tatiana resigned herself to what needed to be done. She pushed to her feet and went to the office door, opened it, and stuck her head into the anteroom, where one of the house servants awaited her needs. “I’m not to be disturbed until I come out again, understood?”

The servant nodded without making eye contact. “Yes, my lady.”

Tatiana went back in, locked the door, and walked to the front of her desk. With a few deep breaths, she forced away her residual anger toward the ancients. She needed to be calm. Confident. Respectful, despite the fact that they had stolen her child from her arms. But more than just respectful, she must appear worthy of the power and position that had been bestowed upon her. The ancients were fickle, as they’d proved. She must not give them reason to strip anything else from her.

She pulled the chairs aside and stood in the small clearing, girding herself for what was about to happen. Then she tipped her head back and spoke to the one she’d worked so hard to please, the one who owed her so much for her undying loyalty, the one who’d betrayed her just as Octavian had.

“Samael, my liege. I respectfully request your company.”

Chapter Four

The weather had cooled enough that Chrysabelle tugged one of Maris’s long white cardigans over her tunic and pants before heading out to sit by the pool, but the change in temperature wouldn’t keep her from taking in the evening’s quiet. If anything, the calm only seemed to reinforce her determination to move confidently forward with her life while the soft lap of the bay against the new dock and the occasional grunt of a cormorant helped soothe the pressure of everything she might not be able to resolve.

Like Mal. She loved him, more than was wise, but the hard truth was the Mal she loved was gone, replaced by a creature more monster than man. Her heart ached for herself and the child in her belly who would never

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