Betrayed in Blood (Of Blood & Dreams #6)

Chapter 33

Ginger and I were on the second floor returning to our rooms when the door to Mom’s room popped open.

Jacques stepped out. “I thought I heard you. You saved me a trip to find you. Your mother is waking.”

Ginger threw her arm around my shoulders. “That’s so good.” She stepped back. “But don’t forget. Let’s grab a light meal on the patio, and then it’s off to the bar for margaritas before the movies.”

“I won’t forget.” I blew past Jacques but stopped before entering. Was she still drugged? Would she be mad at being taken from her home? I took a deep breath and stepped across the threshold.

Jacques closed the door, remaining outside.

Mom was sitting up, flipping through a magazine.

“How long have you been awake?” I asked. Jacques made it sound like she’d just opened her eyes.

“Only a few minutes.” Her voice was a little hoarse. Maybe from the drugs or from disuse. “That young man was going to get you immediately, but I demanded he tell me where I was before I allowed him to go.”

“So, you know you’re at Devon Trelane’s home?”

She nodded. “And from what I can tell, yours as well.”

I nodded in return, then took the chair next to the bed. “I’ve been living here for almost a year now. Devon and I have—” Have what? That’s what we were supposed to be discussing that evening.

Mom finished for me. “An intimate relationship?” She laughed, and it was so good to hear her do that. “Did you think I thought you’d been celibate all this time? I know you don’t want to hear it, but your father wasn’t the only one I’d slept with before Christopher.” She played with the edge of the magazine, dog-earring the page. “I don’t know why I said that. I should be drowsy, but this is the most cleared-headed I’ve been in days.”

“The healer, Madame Saldano, gave you something to help calm your mind while the drugs worked their way out.”

“Well, that explains it. Though I’m not sure I’m a hundred percent yet.” She glanced at the drapes.

“Do you want me to open them?”

“Not yet. I feel a bit of a headache. Where’s April?”

“She’s at Devon’s safe house. She needs more time to acclimate.”

That sounded lame to my ears, but Mom nodded.

“Yes. I believe that vampire mesmerized her. That’s what you call it, right?”

I nodded. “It might be a long and difficult road for her, but Devon will make sure you’re both cared for.”

“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry.” Mom threw her arms around me. “By the time I figured out what was going on, it was too late. They started drugging me, and when they caught me on the phone with you, they must have given me a heavier dose because I don’t remember much after that before now.”

I hugged her tight. “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

“It’s been awful.”

“It’s over now. It’s all behind you.”

“I’m not talking about the last few weeks. I mean since I married Christopher.”

Her statement confused me for a second, then all the history between us instantly faded. My life had been tough, but hers had to be worse when she finally saw Christopher for who he was. I locked eyes with her, so she’d know I was being truthful. “That’s behind us, too.”

She gripped me tight enough to squeeze the air out of me. I sucked it up and let her cry. When she was done, she wiped her eyes and looked around.

“Let me get you a tissue.” I ran to the bathroom, grabbed the box, and dropped it next to her. After she dried her nose, she asked, “Now what?”

“It will depend on April. Devon wants to wait to see how much of the mesmerizing will fade on its own. Until then, you stay here with me. April isn’t that far away. I’ll ask Devon when we can see her.”

Before she could say anymore, the door opened, and Madame Saldano marched in. Jacques followed and shrugged an apology. All I could do was smile. No one stopped the healer when she was seeing patients.

“Well, good afternoon. I see our patient is awake.” She set down her bag, removed several vials, then turned her sights on my mother. “I’m Madame Saldano, and I’m your healer. You look rather spunky for someone who’s been drugged for the last few weeks.”

Mom placed a hand to her throat. “Has it been that long?”

“From what Devon tells me.” The healer glanced at me. “I just came from the safe house. He said April only seemed willing to share the information so we could properly treat your mother.”

At least April still cared about Mom. I nodded.

“I’d like the room now. I want to examine your mother so I can determine the next steps. Then she needs to rest.” She raised her hand as if ready to defend her position, though no one seemed ready to argue. “I know you feel good, Willa, but your body has been through quite a lot. I’ve asked Cook to make a broth for you, then you can have something more substantial this evening. You still need bed rest.” She glanced at the magazine Mom held and then at the stack of books and tablet on the table. “It appears you have enough entertainment to keep you busy until tomorrow, and then I’ll reassess your activity level.” She turned to me. “Out. Now. You can visit her in a couple of hours.”

I backed away, not daring to question her.

“Cressa, do you have my phone by any chance? I’d like to call the girls and then check in with the salon and spa.”

“I’ll have to see if Devon recovered it. If not, you can use mine.” I glanced around and found her travel bag on a chair. I opened the side pocket. “Here’s your phone book.” I laid it on top of the tablet.

She nodded.

I went to the door, but before I left, I asked, “What are you going to tell the girls?”

“That I’ve been suffering from a horrible migraine attack and stomach flu and that I’m irritated with April for not telling them.” She gave me a grin I rarely ever saw. One of those mischievous, she’s going to do something completely out of character smiles. “At least it has a spark of truth. Right now, I could wring April’s neck.”

I left her room, feeling lighter than I had in days. When I heard the light steps behind me, I sighed. Something told me I was about to be derailed from good old-fashioned alone time.

Sergi’s tone was light and his expression unreadable, which doused my good mood with dread. “Devon would like to see you in his office.”

I followed Sergi to Devon’s office. When he turned down the hall that led to his office, I stopped and stared after him. He’d said Devon’s office, hadn’t he?

“Devon’s office,” he called back as if he heard me.

So, Sergi was just the messenger. Curious, I increased my pace to Devon’s office and tapped on his door. I’d barely opened it when Devon said, “Come in.”

He was at his desk, writing with his fountain pen on what looked like his more expensive linen stationery. “I’ll be with you in a minute.”

I stood patiently, arms crossed over my chest. One hip might have been stuck out as if I was in a mood, but my grin was wide. He had no idea who’d walked into his office. For such an observant vamp, he had one huge blind spot. I was convinced it had to do with his fountain pen. As forward-thinking as he was, he loved the tactile feel of years gone by. His primary mode of communication was either email or text with the occasional phone call. But to impart important events or to correspond with certain people, he hand-wrote letters. I’d seen him write dozens without a single blemish or blotch of ink. And while he wrote, he seemed momentarily transported to a different time, as if he lived inside a snow globe. If he’d been typing out an email or text, he would have glanced up the moment the door opened. I found it endearing.

He signed his name then set the letter aside before capping the fountain pen and returning it to its special holder made of cherrywood and brass. Then he finally looked up.

“Cressa! Why didn’t you say something?” He noted my grin and smiled.

“You know I love watching you write.”

He pushed the chair away from the desk and turned it sideways, waving me over. It was going to be that kind of meeting. Suddenly, I didn’t mind losing out on my alone time.

I walked around the desk, and my grin turned wicked when he patted his lap. “Should I lock the door?”

“I wish there was time for that.”

I sat on his lap, my back against his chest, and he twirled the chair so we could look out the window. I laid my head on his shoulder and stared at the branches of the sycamore tree.

“I’m sorry to send Sergi to find you. I had a few letters that need to be sent immediately and have several more emails to write before going back to the safe house.”

“You’re having success?”

“Not really, but I’ve discovered over the centuries that intense pressure the first few days goes a long way to loosen lips. It doesn’t always work. Jasper will be tough, but I’m sure his friend will break, and that might be enough. But it doesn’t leave much time between our sessions.” When I shivered, he added, “It’s not torture. At least, not yet. It’s more annoyance than anything.”

“But you need to cancel our evening plans.”

“I heard your mother is awake and feeling better than we expected.”

I hadn’t been prepared for the change of subject. “Yes. I just came from there. She looks much better, but still tired.”

“Did Ginger tell you about Oasis?” Again with the subject change.

“Yes.” The word was drawn out, and he squeezed me before shifting topics again.

“Sergi has high hopes for Kirk. That’s the other vampire.”

I laughed. “Kirk. He sounds like a kid with a skateboard.”

“He looks about the same age. He tries to be tough, but he’s terrified.”

“Enough you might be able to flip him to our side?”

I felt his shrug. “Sergi believes so.”

So that meant he did, too. “But you need to spend a lot of time with him.”

“Yes.” He kissed my temple. “Always the smart one. April has calmed slightly, but she’s not very forthcoming. She’s eaten and was sleeping when we left.”

“From the drugs Madame Saldano gave her.”

“She told you?”

“Jacques.”

“Aah. We didn’t think she’d eat so quickly, but they did more drinking than eating at Venizi’s party. And being human, she can’t go long before hunger sets in.”

“She didn’t fight drunk.” I rubbed my upper leg where she’d clipped me with one of her kicks.

“It was her survival instinct after being ambushed. Anyway, with Ginger going to Oasis and with the lockdown still in effect, I thought you might want to go with her. You can take your mom and April. It would give everyone time to get to know each other. There’s plenty of space to relax and provide some much-needed family time. Lucas could also use your help with security, but the rest of the time is your own.”

I twisted around on his lap so I could look at him. “Is it safe for April to travel and be on her own?”

“Not at first. She’ll travel under a security detail and will be housed in the security office until Madame Saldano’s potion has time to take effect.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s not like mesmerizing, but she’ll become more pliable and less aggressive. It’s nothing permanent and will naturally work its way out of her system when she stops taking the potion. It won’t change her anger toward you, but it will tone it down. She also won’t have the energy to escape or fight, but she’ll be able to listen to conversations and join in if she chooses. The healer at Oasis will monitor her and modify the dosage as required. It’s not the answer, but it’s a start.”

I nodded. “How long will we be there?”

“Until Simone is ready to return. But we’ll assess April’s condition before making any plans for her and Willa.”

I bit my lip. “I wanted to be here for Simone.”

“I know. But you know how she’ll be once she wakes. And if the injury has left any weakness?—”

“Say no more. My presence, or anyone who’s not a vamp, will make her work too hard.”

“And spending time with your family will take your mind off her.” He pushed a lock of hair behind my ear, then caressed my cheek. “It’s not like we won’t talk a couple of times a day.”

“Only a couple?” I ran a finger along his stubbled jawline. Then I kissed him. It was filled with a hungry passion, and he met it with his own before slowly lifting his head.

“I know the timing interferes with our own discussion.”

“It will wait.” I sighed and laid my head on his shoulder. “I’ll miss you.”