“I’m not staying at Émigré. I don’t trust her not to take an uninvited bite or two.”
“She won’t—she gave her word to the council, remember.”
Belle snorted. “Like you can trust the word of a vampire.”
“In this case, I think we can—if only because she owes us a favor and wants it put behind her.”
“So she can nibble on us later,” Belle said gloomily.
A smile twitched my lips. “Possibly. Doesn’t alter the fact that it’s far safer than here. As I said before, I doubt even Clayton is mad enough to tackle a vampire’s abode.”
“After what happened in Wodonga, I wouldn’t bet on that.”
Neither would I, actually. “Please, Belle, you’ve more chance being safe there than here.”
“And what if he decides to attack us here during the day?”
“He won’t, because there’ll be too many witnesses.”
“Given he doesn’t appear to be thinking logically, witnesses aren’t a watertight guarantee of safety.”
“I know, but I still don’t think he will.”
She sighed and drank her whiskey. “Fine. But if she decides to dine on me, I won’t be happy.”
“She wants to dine on me. You, she wants to fuck.”
“That does not make me feel any better.” She waved a hand. “Just do it.”
I grinned and made the call.
“Lizzie Grace,” Roger said in an effusive manner. “To what do we owe this honor?”
“You’re in a rather good mood tonight—is there any particular reason?”
“It’s the radiance that comes from the mistress feeding.”
“Belle will be extremely happy to hear that.”
“And why would that be so?”
“Remember the favor I’m owed? I’m calling it in.”
“Indeed? I shall hand you over to her.” There was a pause, and then Maelle said, “And what is it you wish of me?”
“You know that man I mentioned?”
“Indeed.”
“Well, he’s either in the reservation or on his way.”
“And you wish me to hunt him down? Because I cannot take life in this place unless personally threatened—it would jeopardize my position here.”
“No, I’d actually like you to keep Belle safe at Émigré.”
“Is that all?”
“It’s not a simple task, Maelle. The man we’re talking about is a blueblood witch of high power—and he’ll go after Belle in order to get to me.”
“He wouldn’t dare attack my lair.”
“If he was in his right mind, I’d agree. He’s not. You’ll need full defenses.”
“Full defense might well alert the other witches in this reservation. I prefer to avoid that if necessary.”
A statement that was yet another confirmation she was capable of darker magic.
Sometime in the future, we’d be confronted by it.
Fear knifed through me, even if it was pretty pointless worrying about a future battle when I still had to survive the current one.
“As long as you keep her safe, I really don’t care what you do or don’t use.”
“And when am I to expect her?”
“Is tonight too soon?”
“Yes, it fucking is,” Belle muttered, her expression a mix of resignation and trepidation.
“That will be fine. Roger is preparing a room as we speak.” She paused, and then continued with evident amusement, “Please assure her that it will be a private bedchamber. No sharing of any kind required.”
“She’s positively ecstatic to hear that.”
“As she should be—there are not many who stay here who can claim that.”
People stay there? Belle said. Why on earth would anyone want to do that?
Perhaps she’s referring to her feeders.
None of the feeders who were killed lived within Émigré’s walls. If they had, there’s every chance they’d still be alive.
I sipped the whiskey. I don’t think she’s referring to her regular feeders.
Then who? Belle said, even as Maelle added, “What time shall I expect her?”
Eleven. I’m not getting there any earlier than damn necessary.
I repeated the time to Maelle.
“Excellent,” she said. “Roger will take her through to the accommodation wing.”
“Thanks, Maelle.”
“It is entirely my pleasure.”
“I’m not liking the sound of that last comment,” Belle muttered, as I hung up. “And wing? How can there be an accommodation wing on a building that’s basically square?”
“Either she’s purchased the buildings on either side or she means the basement. I suspect the former, given the escape route from her aerie.”
She took another drink. “It’s one thing for me to go into hiding, but what are you going to do? You can’t stay at Aiden’s—you’re both far too vulnerable there.”
“I know.” I lightly swirled the whiskey around in my glass. “But I think I’ll be safe enough here, as long as you’re elsewhere.”
“‘Think’ isn’t a reassuring term, you know. And if he can’t find me, he may just concentrate all his viciousness on you—and trust me, you don’t have to be a telepath to know he intends to take what we denied him thirteen years ago.”
The memory of his weight on me as his cold hands tore at me rose. I shuddered and gulped down the whiskey, but it did little to burn the memories away. “I don’t think he’ll attack me directly. Not until he has a means of ensuring my compliance—either via you or maybe even Aiden.”
“Aiden should be safe enough at the compound, but he won’t be there twenty-four seven. He’ll insist on continuing to work.”
“Of course I will.” The bell above the door chimed merrily as he stepped through. “Why is this suddenly a problem?”
I rose and met him halfway across the room. After a long kiss hello, I said, “It makes it easier for Clayton to snare you.”
He tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers warm against my skin. “Clayton doesn’t scare me.”
“He should.”
“Over the last few months, I’ve had to deal with all manner of powerfully evil supernatural entities.” His voice was dry, his eyes warm. “A witch hell-bent on revenge seems mild by comparison.”
“You won’t think that if he gets his mitts on you.”
“I’m more worried about him getting his mitts on you and Belle. What are we doing to counter that?”
“Belle’s going into hiding.”
“Rather reluctantly,” Belle said. “You staying for coffee, Ranger?”
“Love to, but I’m on my way to another council meeting.”
“Then I’ll put it in Liz’s travel cup. Just make
