Page 80 of Bitten Vampire

“And for the record,” he adds, violet eyes dancing, “I do like your boobs, but I thought I should lead with the undying devotion.”

I shake my head, yet I’m smiling now.

My smile fades. “Where will this public trial be?”

“The Hall of Silence.”

“Oh, James will love that,” I mutter, swallowing. I take another sip of blood and dab my lips. “Very well, let us deal with that first, then your father. I shall do what I can to help.”

“It will be dangerous, Fred.”

“Then I will try to remain alive and useful.”

“I will protect you with my life,” he says. “So will the clan.”

“Even James?” I arch a brow. “When do we go?”

“Tomorrow night.”

“So soon? Anything I should read? Prepare?”

“No. If you sound rehearsed, they will notice. Just be yourself.”

I nod. “All right.” Great. “I want to help,” I say, mustering courage. “Perhaps I could attempt a vision with your help?”

“Very well. As long as you are safe, we can try.”

“Yes, let’s try.”

We return to my suite—my phone is there, anyway—and I settle on the sofa. Valdarr hovers until I pat the cushion beside me.

“Come on,” I say. “Sit.”

He does, and I fiddle with my phone. “This will look odd,” I warn, “but I need to watch reels.”

“Watching videos sends you into a trance?” He sounds surprised.

“I do not know why it works, but it may take a while.”

“In that case, get comfortable.”

Thirty minutes pass—nothing. I huff in frustration.

He pats his lap. “Lie here.”

Placing a cushion across his thighs, he guides me down until my head rests on it. My cheeks burn. He strokes my hair, rhythmic, soothing, exactly as House once did. With his other hand he lifts mine, tilting the phone towards my face. I take the hint and resume scrolling.

From the corner of my eye, I see Baylor belly-crawl closer. Valdarr’s free hand disappears into his fur. I grin and concentrate.

His fingers in my hair, the mindless flick of videos—togetherthey work.

Just before the vision takes me, I do something new: I focus. Rather than begging the universe for anything, I fix on Valdarr and tomorrow night, clinging to one sharp command—protect him.

Astonishingly, it works.

I am outside the house. Three cars wait while the clan prepares to leave. Seeingvision meis jarring—I look nothing like the middle-aged human I once was. I force my attention to Valdarr.

Everyone climbs into the cars. I remain behind, unable to follow. I try not to think of our destination, instead, I focus on the danger ahead.