Page 64 of A Token of Blood and Betrayal

He grunted, and the bathroom door moved slightly, probably him removing his clothes from the hook.“As I was saying, Jared couldn’t have…”

His head appeared in the door crack again, his dark hair still sopping wet.“Drawers?”

“What?”

“Drawers.I don’t see them.”

I looked to the dresser on my left.It had six drawers.

“Underwear,” Deagan said, exasperated.“Did Jared send any with my clothes?”

Old vampire.Ancient language.Got it.“Not unless it’s on the hanger.Stop dripping on my tile.”

“Linoleum,” he corrected.

I waved a hand.“Semantics.”

He ducked back inside the bathroom.“Jared would have killed Arcuro in the past if it were possible.”

“It was chaotic,” I said.True if misleading.

“You were at the compound?”

“Briefly.”I needed to shift the focus away from me.“Are you almost dressed?”

“It is well-nigh,” he said.

“Huh?”

“Who is the compound’s master now?”

“Jared.My cell phone is basically dead,” I said.“You can use the office landline to call him if you feel like walking that far.”

“The compound belongs to his liege-ness?I’m surprised others didn’t swoop in to claim it.”

“Satine tried.”

Deagan shoved open the door.He’d pulled on pants and was halfway finished buttoning up a white shirt, but his fingers appeared to be frozen.“Satine?”

He didn’t know about Satine.It seemed like I’d first met and pissed her off ages ago.In reality, it had been just under two weeks.He’d already been a prisoner.“It’s a longish story.Jared can catch you up.”

“Satine washere?”

“Not here at The Rain.She showed up at the compound—”

“And did not take it over?Or kill Jared?”Deagan was beginning to sound panicked.

“I said she tried—”

“We must go.”Deagan strode out of the bathroom, took my arm, and pulled me toward the doorway.

“What?Go where?”

“I will give directions.”

“Deagan.”I pulled my arm free.It was either easy because he was weak or because he’d decided against dragging me through my own hotel.“I don’t think you’re thinking rationally yet.”

“I assure you, Ms.Rain, I am.Now please come with me.This is a life-and-death matter.”His long strides took him to the stairs.