Page 103 of Bitten Vampire

“I’m fine. I’m sorry, I should have called earlier. I’m too far away to get back before sunrise. I went hunting with the shifters. We almost caught up with my father, but it ended in a fight with his people.”

“As long as you and the shifters are safe, that’s what matters. Everything here is fine, everyone is looking after me.”

“Are they?” he asks, with a hint of amusement in his voice. “How’s your friend, Beryl?”

“Still in her restorative sleep. James drew a new circle using runes from a book Dayna gave me. I think the magic is working, as she’s no longer cold to the touch.”

“That’s great news. I’m glad he is helping you.”

I cringe. “I messed up. He knows about the visions. He is sneaky, and I’m a terrible liar. He thinks I’m an oracle.”

A long pause follows. I hope he isn’t angry.

“Interesting,” he says at last. “If James suspects you are an oracle, we should research it. We need to discuss registering all your gifts with the Vampirical Council; it would add another layer of protection. The Council is not in the habit of discarding powerful talents—no, it hoards them.”

“So we need to tell them about the day-walking?”

“Yes, we will push the day-walking angle, not the human-by-day-and-your-heart’s-beating issue. Only the oldest vampires would know the difference, and we will make sure you are nowhere near the elders while you are human.”

“But what if… because House isn’t here, I stop being human during the day?”

“I believe your friend House is too powerful; none of the changes made to you will wear off. What happens, happens. We can’t change it, Fred; all we can do is react. We will be careful, and I will ask Harrison to arrange extra security for you.”

“Why extra security?”

“Because, sunshine, it makes you very valuable. Everyone will want the shiny new gifted vampire.” His voice softens. “But that shiny new vampire is my mate, and as long as she wants me, she is not going anywhere.”

I laugh; he makes me feel warm inside. “It’s nice to feel wanted.”

“I will always want you. I had better go.”

“Please be careful.”

“You, too. I will see you after sunset.”

Baylor and I retreat to the bedroom I once fled and curl up with a book on the Council’s rules, reading about their stance on gifted vampires. Valdarr is right, it may prove our saving grace.

I spend the day reading, walking Baylor, and brushing his coat with a cushioned hairbrush I found, as he stretches blissfully beneath each stroke. When he trots to Ralph’s door and howls, I hush him. No one wants to wake a day-dead vampire with a slobbering Husky.

I force myself to eat—cereal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch—and then count the hours until Valdarr returns.

Darkness falls. I keep waiting.

One hour passes, then two.

Harrison appears in the doorway while I sit curled on Valdarr’s office sofa. He looks worried. I know then that something has gone horribly wrong.

“Valdarr slipped his security,” he says quietly. “He abandoned both his phone and his tracker in the vehicle.”

I stare at him. “He did that on purpose?”

“He wasn’t taken. He wasn’t coerced with magic—he’s too strong. I believe it was deliberate. We’ve had no word.”

“Has he done this before?”

“No. But it could mean the Grand Master has been in contact, and he wants a private meeting. It’s a game to him; he enjoys seeing how far he can push Valdarr.”

James bursts in, followed by Tony and Ralph. Hemarches to the sofa, grabs my forearms, and gives me a little shake. “You have to do something,” he says. “This isn’t like him. We need to know what’s happening.”