Page 34 of Caller of Crows

"I'll behave," Sven agreed.

Altair's gaze studied him for a moment longer, and then he left.

When the door closed and was locked behind him, Sven sat down on the bed. He could still feel Altair's lips on his, his fingers on his neck, his fangs piercing his skin.

His heart stuttered and a lump formed in his throat.

He'd known it would be dangerous, messing with the Caller of Crows.

He'd just never expected how badly the man would mess with his head.

ChapterEleven

Altair did not go immediately back to his office. Instead, he ordered someone to clean up the mess in the hall, and then he stopped by Keegan's room. The vampire was sitting by his computer, studying something, and didn't look up when Altair entered.

"You've got some explaining to do," Altair said, letting his gaze travel the room. It was decorated with a certain flair. A tapestry with constellations hung on the wall, and his desk was covered with star charts and books. Altair was surprised not to see a crystal ball or a tarot deck anywhere, but then, Keegan had always been more practical than the average occultist.

"What do you mean?" Keegan asked, finally looking up from his computer.

"The mortal told me he brought a phone with him. I never saw it, but I realize now that you took it before I had a chance to."

"Ah. Yes, that." Keegan rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I figured it was best to go through his contact list to see who we were dealing with."

"And then you proceeded to tell me nothing about your investigations." Altair's eyes narrowed at the vampire he usually considered his friend. His brother, even.

Keegan grimaced. "You weren't taking my visions seriously."

"You didn't have anything concrete to offer," Altair reminded him. "Has that changed?"

"Yes and no."

"Explain."

Keegan pulled a face. "I still don't know exactly what is going to happen if we keep him, but I know it's bad."

"Would it be worse than letting him go free at this point?" Altair crossed his arms. "Imagine if he ran to the authorities and told them about his imprisonment here, however brief. You know that won't end well for anyone."

Keegan sighed. "Do you really think he would report us?"

Altair hesitated. He wasn't sure what the mortal would do if they let him go. It was possible that he'd never say a word about what happened here. Or that he would tell anyone who would listen.

But the latter possibility wasn't even Altair's worst fear.

What he really feared was that Sven might turn to another coven.

The mortal was certainly foolish enough to try. "We cannot let him go," he decided. "Whatever bad thing you think you foresaw, we'll simply have to deal with it."

Keegan sighed and stood up. "I saw the way you look at him, but I didn't realize you already cared that much."

Altair scowled. "I don't. He's valuable, and I won't have another coven steal him away from under our fangs."

"Right." Keegan didn't look convinced, but then, the other vampire had always had an annoying habit of seeing right through Altair. It was a good trait in a friend, but not right now. "Anyway, I was actually going through his texts right now. I'll hand the phone over if that's what you're here for."

"Thank you." Altair took the device and glanced at the screen. "Anything interesting?"

"Mostly his mom." Keegan shrugged. "No boyfriend, though, unless he has one and doesn't want his mother to know."

Altair's shoulders tensed. "Why would I care whether or not the mortal has a boyfriend?"