Yukiblushed and it was the cutest thing ever.
Chapter 21
The sound of the end credit symphonywoke Yuki up. She hadn't even lasted half the movie before putting her head onmy thigh and interrupting the quieter parts of the movie with soft snores andmewls. Yuki's dreams were apparently scarier than her real life, and she onlyquieted with a soft touch on her shoulder or face.
Josieand Candace hadn't even made the attempt at a late-night movie. They snuck offto their room as soon as it started. Even Chief hadn't been tempted andwandered off for a shower and bed as soon as he walked through the door. Withall the energy coursing through my veins, I knew better than to try to sleep.
"Whydidn't you wake me up?" Yuki humphed from my lap.
"Becauseyou're so damn cute. When you're sleeping."
"Well,I'm going to my room to be cute. I donated too much blood tonight. Can't keepmy eyes open."
"Sorry,sweetie."
"Noworries, Master. I'll see if I can get one of the other vamps to donate, too.Amir would probably be happy to take one for the team."
"Yeah.Now I just need another demon, shadow walker, and dark elf." I rolled myeyes.
"Probablynot. Vampires are anemic by nature. We don't produce blood, we consume it. Youdon't feed enough to bother the others."
"We'llsee." The thought of having to feed off another vamp bothered me more thanit should have. I could barely accept Yuki's sacrifice. To feed off someone whowasn't close to me… It wasn't a pleasant thought at all. "Night, Yuki."
Sheleaned and looked out the front window. The subtle glow of pre-morningilluminated the street in blue. "Closer to good morning, but whatever.Night, Master."
Ismiled as I watched her retreat into her room, listening for the subtle click of the lock. Once I heard it, Ilet the shadows swallow me into the couch.
Dreadingwhat had to be done, I walked through the realm of shadows slowly, playingvoyeur along the way. Most people were asleep, some were getting ready for theday, some were still in the throes of passion. Whatever they did, I smiled as Ipassed, getting a tiny thrill at the ability to peer into everyone's life as Istrode by, feet soundlessly padding over the shadow stuff beneath me.
AsI roamed, the shadows began their subtle song. Pinpricks of gooseflesh crawledover my arms as the sibilant symphony wrapped me in warmth. Then the chorus ofshrieks and snarls joined in as the shadow demons crawled closer.
Forthe first time, I didn't panic. I even halted my journey as they circled aroundme, red glowing eyes cutting through the darkness. They ventured closer, butnot within touching distance as they slowed, stopped, and lowered their facesto the ground. The song continued, but the shrieks morphed into a bass line oftheir muffled whines of joy. Without fear, I stepped toward the ring of shadows,knelt, and caressed the head of the nearest.
Liftingits head, ecstasy rolled from it in waves. Smiling, I stood and continued myjourney.
Ithad been the biggest mistake of the Abernathy line to ever bring me to themansion in the hills surrounding Ashville. I'd even been there as a child,accompanying my mother on coven business. It made the journey from Cedar Fallsalmost effortless as I traversed the shadow realm. With one last sigh, Istepped from the shadow of a tree just inside the gate.
Myoriginal intention had been to go with a sneak attack, appearing behind him andsubduing him in a show of power, but he wouldn't have respected that. Feared,yes. Fearful enough to stand down? No. It would be much better to show him howutterly powerless he was against me.
Unfortunately,I didn't even make it across the expanse of grass separating the wall and doorbefore being attacked by vampires. With almost shadow walker ability, theymelted from the shadows and were on me before I even registered their presence.I mentally cursed myself for not looking before leaping.
However,once in my field of prescience, their movements became almost comically slow.Batting two of them aside, I turned the third to ash. It was a combination of ajab and fire spell that worked out exponentially better than I'd imagined. Thefirst two were hesitant to attack after the display, and I couldn't blame them.I used my shadows to leave them in the dust of their fallen comrade.
Thefront door of the mansion fared as well as the vampire I turned to ash. It senta strong message to the two guards inside. There were few things in the mortalrealm that vampires feared more than fire. One of them kowtowed, but the othermerely shook as he looked up to the landing above.
"Whereis Abernathy?"
Theone standing snarled when he turned back to face me. The one at his feetpointed toward the stairs without looking up from the floor. I turned and madeit to the first step when Lady Abernathy stepped onto the landing with a sigh.
"LadyDorothea," she whispered softly and bowed her head.
"Hey,June. Are we going to have a problem?" I spoke steadily, more confidentthan I felt, as I walked up the stairs and stopped halfway.
"SinceI am not in line for succession, only bound to the clan through marriage,absolutely not."
"Eventhough I killed your husband?'
Darknesspassed over her features for a moment before she schooled her countenance andthe smile returned. She might not have agreed with the former Lord's actionsand methods, but she did love him, that much was certain. "No. Hechallenged you and you were victorious. In fact, I should be thanking you forsaving my daughter." She might have loved her husband, but she loved herdaughter more. I could hear it in her voice.
"She'smy pride and joy. Of course, I'd save her." I winked and continued up thestairs.
"Areyou here to kill him?" She didn't sound concerned, merely curious.
"Onlyif he won't see reason. He tried to incinerate what is mine."
"Iwarned him not to."
"Areyou telling me he can't be reasoned with?"
"Iam. But he might be bullied. I wish you luck. Last door at the end of the hall,"she answered coolly and stepped past me, heading down the way I'd come.
Husbandand daughter aside, she held nothing but disdain for her brother-in-law. Ichuckled and headed down the
