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“Of course,” she said with a mocking smile.

“And number three, I will search for the notebook’s hiding place. You will be the one to retrieve it, but once the entire plan is assembled.”

“That’s it?” she asked, an eyebrow arching. “What about our roles?”

“We’ll play them,” I said, “My brother will be observing us diligently, meaning we must be very careful with how we exude ourselves. We can’t afford any mistakes from either side.” She rolled her eyes but didn’t speak. “For today, it’ll be simple. You must follow my lead.”

“Okay, but I have a question.” Ms. Eli continued before my approval, “Why did you choose me out of all the other guardians?”

“You have no presence, no scent, and your footing is unnoticeable. My brother won’t realize the notebook’s disappearance until it’s too late.”

“And what if I get caught?”

“I can assure you, you won’t,” I said, her eyebrows furrowing with questioning eyes. “If it happens, I will be beside you.”

She crossed her arms against her chest. “Fine.”

I parted my gaze and focused on the sky outside. Thunder roared, and droplets began to crash across the leaves and ground. Kaleb and the twins should be arriving from their feedings any moment.

I extended a hand, hers slowly slithering into my palm. Her heat radiated stronger than sunlight yet caressed my skin like a petal. Before I could concentrate on the sensation that overtook my body, I stepped outside, and her hold tightened.

“Be honest,” Ms. Eli said, her voice a low chime. “You’re not doing this to protect humans or vampires, especially not the CEG. Even if you didn’t play a huge part, you were still in with your brothers to get rid of every private guardian. Including me.”

Strands from her up do stuck to her forehead, threading alongside her temples and cheeks, the loose ends meeting her stomach as droplets continued to dwell upon us. Her expression softened as I considered her.

“I won’t deny nor affirm your remark,” I said as I heaved a sigh. “Katerina, I’m exhausted beyond imagination due to my brothers. Would you believe me if I was to say we were all strangers living under the same roof?”

The slight rain matured to one that engulfed our surroundings, our clothes dampening and clinching to our skin. The dirt thickened beneath our feet as we halted.

“Yes, I can.”

An edge naturally encased her voice, yet it lacked in her simple response, interchanged for a somber whisper.

The outer gates clanked open behind us, the limousine passing through the forest as it came into view. I tugged at Ms. Eli’s hand and brought her to my chest. A sharp glare met mine through the smoked glass as the inner gates widened, and the limousine proceeded into the driveway.

My shoulders slumped against a tree trunk. Kaleb was one to unfailingly sit on the side that overlooked the forest and lake. There was no doubt in my mind he hadn’t noticed us.

Katerina cleared her throat, and my attention fell on her. I hadn’t felt when our bodies melded into one another’s, but it was the only thing I was keenly aware of now. Swiftly, my hold loosened, and I darted my sight away.

When I glanced at where she stood seconds ago, it was barren, with no trace of Ms. Eli in the passing wind.

* * *

A familiar symphony flooded my chambers as fingers traced the keys, one note chiming while the other thrummed; the sequence continued. They were meant to complement each other, but it grew dull. The glide along my wrist possessed no lead. Only a repeated routine that derived from my fingers rather than my sentiment or the flow of the melody. The notes clashed, as did my thoughts.

Two days had passed. I had yet to uncover information regarding the notebook. My brother would never hide the notebook in plain sight or arm's reach. Would he allow someone to harbor it? Where could it possibly be?

The questions dimmed as I stepped onto the front yard.

Noon settled in the midst of autumn, the air nuzzling against my skin the further I stepped into the gazebo. Tristan ambled between the opening, his warm presence easing the coiled hub. The accustomed click echoed.

“What have you uncovered?”

Tristan had not only been occupied with his duties but was also tracking any revelations concerning the true intruder.

“I have yet to confirm this, Alek, but no guardians from the last period were tasked by Kaleb. They were just commanded to stand still and watch. In fact, he currently has no henchmen.” Tristan lowered his voice, “I also checked the security footage in the employee facility.”

“Go on.”