Page 63 of Bitten Vampire

“It wasn’t her fault I woke up in a body bin,” I snap, voice trembling but firm. “I was just doing my job delivering food. I did not plan to become someone’s dinner.”

“Yes, and her magic both forced and disrupted the transformation,” he replies, stepping closer. “If you hadn’t been living there, you’d have died that night. No resurrection,no partial turn. The house interfered, and that’s illegal.”

I open my mouth to argue, but no words come.

Lander presses the advantage, voice soft now, almost gentle. “I’ve reviewed your records. You don’t carry enough vampire DNA for a proper turning. The house tampered with the magic, as she has before. She crossed the line.”

“I don’t believe you. You… you threatened me, told me the Grand Master was coming for me.”

“That wasn’t a threat; it was a warning,” he says evenly. “I was trying to keep you alive.”

“Alive? You just said if it were up to you, I’d be dead. Make up your mind.” I shake my head and rest a hand on Baylor’s back. He presses against my leg, ears pinned, eyes locked on Lander. A low growl rumbles in his chest.

“If he moves closer, bite him,” I mumble.

Baylor huffs, as if in agreement.

“House is my friend, and I won’t hear you malign her, especially when you do not know her side of the story. You attacked her. You are the villain here.”

“I beg to differ.” Lander leans back and he smiles, hands sliding into his pockets.

Smug twat.

“I was doing my job.” The warmth drains from his tone; hard edges emerge. “There was a warrant signed by the Council and countersigned by the Grand Master. When magic repeatedly alters derivative biology without sanction, it becomes a threat.”

There he is. I wasn’t buying this ‘Mr Nice Guy’ act.

My vampire tugs him away from the car. “Lander, canyou tidy up Fred’s exit? She escaped custody through a second-storey window.”

“Of course.”

They exchange hearty handshakes that set my teeth on edge. I cannot blame Valdarr for keeping the peace—it is the sensible course—but I do not have to like it. Baylor whines; I draw him closer, whispering, “Shh, it’s all right.”

Valdarr slides into the car.

“I’m sorry I was rude to your friend,” I murmur, staring out of the window. “I just detest that man. He hurt my friend, and I do not trust him.”

“I understand.”

I realise, as I sit in his luxury car, that I have nowhere to go. My only transport vanished with House, and I have no idea what to do next. In my haste to reach Baylor, I jumped in without thinking, and now I must find a dignified way to leave.

I clear my throat. “Thank you again for your help. We’d better be on our way.” I reach for the door handle.

“Last night, I didn’t abandon you. I was there when the assassin teams attacked. My father sent six teams to kill you.”

“Six? I saw only Team One—” Oh…

“I didn’t leave you unprotected,” he goes on. “I trusted the house’s wards. I never imagined she would invite them inside.”

I do the math: six teams with four vampires, Beryl handled one, which means Valdarr faced the other five. Twenty assassins.

A chill runs through me. “Thank you,” I whisper, throat tight. “I’m sorry you had to do that.” My thumbtraces the sigil on my wrist. Baylor licks my hand, sensing my spiralling thoughts. The mark means little to me, but I suspect a great deal to Valdarr. “Your father won’t stop, will he?”

“I’m the heir, that gives me some leverage. I have convinced him not to pursue you publicly. The wanted notice and the kill warrant have been withdrawn. But…” He hesitates. “My father is actively hunting you. Your turning raises questions he can ill afford to answer, and Clan Nocturna still isn’t pleased.”

“Oh.”

“Fred, I realise this is sudden, and we haven’t discussed relocation, but you are homeless and actively targeted. It would be safest to stay at the clan house for the time being, if you agree.”