Chapter Four
Out of the frying pan and into the fire...
Olivia pinched herself for the tenth time as she approached the Clan Alpha House. This couldn't be happening. She wanted to finish her spy mission. Being retrieved and presented by the new high priestess to her intended and the ruling elite didn't make her feel like she was doing it on her own terms. Whatever had happened to her kind and trustworthy friend and confidant? Why had Valori betrayed her?
They knocked on the large double doors and waited for them to swing open. Olivia closed her eyes, wishing she was with Hernando back on Earth. She had wronged him, and she regretted it.
Don't worry. You'll see Hernando soon.
She frowned. Valori's voice filled her head. Because they'll kick me out on the street, or at least out of Clan Alpha House?
No, they won't kick you out. I won't let them until you've finished your task, and I've finished mine.
Your task?
Concentrate on your mission to find the rogue Portal. Only your mission and nothing more. I will keep them occupied.
Olivia startled and opened her eyes. What did Sherlock Holmes say to Dr. Watson whenever a mystery heated up? The game's afoot.
Perhaps Valori wasn't a turncoat after all. She smiled and took a deep breath as they entered the entrance hall. Together they could do what she couldn’t do alone. Teamwork was the ticket.
"Lauren, how good it is to see you. I was so worried." Kate crossed the large chamber, took Olivia by the hands and squeezed. "I've been so worried about you. The fever made you think you were back on Earth, and you went out looking for a cheeseburger and chili fries in your delirium, our newest leader said."
"Newest leader?"
"Priestess Valori. She's been ever so kind to me. I was out of my mind with fear for your safety."
Olivia turned to smile at Valori, but she had somehow already vanished into the depths of the mansion. "Yes, she's a great leader. I feel better, too. How are you feeling?"
"Much better than when you left me. Very rested." Kate averted her gaze and lowered her volume. "I've been offered a job here as well, so I don't have to return to Earth yet if I don't want to."
"Fantastic. You'll stay on, right?" Kate nodded. "What's the job?" Olivia asked.
"Assistant to the new priestess. She has need of a researcher to help her correlate some data from ancient texts. When she found out I had excellent research skills..." Kate grinned. "It was an offer I couldn't refuse."
"I bet." They began to walk along the corridor toward the sleeping quarters. "Did anyone other than Valori miss me during my absence?"
"You mean Moreau? Yes, he did wonder what had happened to you when he didn't see you lying in bed. Don't worry, though. I told him you were taking a long soak in the tub to cool down. He didn't question me any further."
"Good. My wandering wasn't noticed by the bigwigs. I'd rather they didn't know I went walkabout. Mustn't give them the idea I had cold feet about this mail-order vampire bride business."
"Of course not."
How much did Kate understand what was going on? Did Valori fill her in and then come to fetch Olivia at the council chambers? Or did Kate blank out the last few hours before she left?
"I think I'll go lie down for a little bit before mealtime. Wanna come up and... chat?"
Kate glanced about and bit her lip. "Not right now," she whispered. "There's something I must do first." She patted Olivia's shoulder. "You go and rest now. Valori will call on you soon."
Olivia strolled back to her room and plopped onto her bed. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on how to complete her spying mission while avoiding Moreau's crawling about in her head.
On cue, his voice popped into her mind. Where have you been? We were worried.
Worried? Why didn't you come looking for me then?
The pause itself was telling. They didn't know she was gone for quite a while. Even if they were reading her thoughts, they weren't always able to do so. Someone or something had blocked them.
Valori—it had to be her. Her mental powers appeared stronger than those of anyone she had yet encountered on BloodDark, and the ruby pendant... Did it help her focus them? Magnify them?
Never mind. You are home now. It's all that matters. Moreau sounded satisfied with her explanation.
Olivia quirked an eyebrow. "Really? You're okay with my alibi? No more excruciating headaches to put me in my place, huh?" she taunted out loud.
Silence. She frowned. "Weird. One would think you had given up on me altogether."
Work, Olivia. Get to work. I can't keep Moreau out forever.
Valori's tone could not be mistaken. "Yes, ma'am."
Olivia rose and headed to the corridor. Without Moreau keeping mental tabs on her, she felt free to prowl about the clan house. She decided to search the higher floors first, since most were not in their personal chambers during the hours before mealtime. All she had to do was keep to the shadows and not make a big fuss if she was seen strolling where she shouldn't stroll. She had to blend in, but how?
Passing by a tarnished candelabra positioned atop a sideboard in the dormitory hall gave her an idea. She picked up the solidly-built piece and reached for a tissue in her pocket. Why couldn’t she be a roving silver polisher? The Pure Bloods would ignore her like they did the other house servants. As long as she appeared to be keeping busy by polishing the piece, no one would stop and ask her what she was up to, right?
By the time she had made it to the fourth floor, checking each and every room and corridor along the way, she was in desperate need of rest. The metal candelabra might have been the perfect prop for her cover, but it had to be the heaviest
