Page 31 of The Huntress (The Blood of Legends #1)
Chapter Thirty-One
ENTERTAINING
G abriel forced himself to glance at his ancient Greek texts. He would read a line, then find himself watching Callie. She sat on the Persian carpet with her files strewn around her, a frown furrowing her brow. She’d shuffle papers, scribble a note, and sigh. The lighting caressed her auburn hair, the shape of her cheek, the pink of her lips. He was as fascinated by her as the day he’d met her.
Every fifteen minutes or so, George would rush out of her room, having discovered a new toy or book or to parade a clothing item. His heart swelled when Callie’s face softened, and she’d tug George onto her lap for a cuddle. The little girl would jump up to show Gabriel her discovery with excitement and pure joy in her eyes. Such innocence was a rare gift.
He’d receive castigation for bringing a shifter into his home, perhaps even mocked for his decision. Surrounded by vampires wouldn’t make her life easier. They would bully and demean her, but not if he was near, or so help them. He’d already contacted the alphas to locate the one he should murder. Tossing a child out into the streets to survive on her own was unacceptable.
She belonged to the Knights Ridge Pack, but their new alpha, Rhys Whitaker, hadn’t known anything about this. The fury pouring across the connection meant this alpha planned to mete out a justice of his own. Gabriel had stated his intention to adopt the girl, leaving no opening for Rhys to argue otherwise. That he’d used Dimitri’s and Syl’s Holds as a threat was neither here nor there.
Callie tilted her head, listening. Gabriel smiled at this development since it meant her vampire traits were, at last, manifesting. Leo and Valerie were at the door, but he’d wanted her to use her senses. She jumped up and rushed there, swinging it open with a cry. Hugs and tears followed, interspersed with blurred chatter. The growing joy on her face was all he needed to confirm she was happy.
“Gabe, come meet my sister.” She turned to him; her fingers laced with Val’s.
She had the same red flowing hair and green eyes, but to him, no woman was more beautiful than Callie.
He strode toward them, holding out a hand. “Welcome to our home, sister of mine.” He clasped Val’s hand with his before releasing it.
Her eyes widened, and she glanced at Callie.
“Yes, you heard him. Gabe’s my future husband.” Callie looped her free hand around his waist and squeezed, lifting her shining eyes to meet his.
Something tight gripped his heart, but now wasn’t the time for declarations.
“I’ll have a brother-in-law?” Val asked then hugged Gabe, surprising him.
He gave her an awkward pat on the back.
“You have to meet George. She’s your niece!” Callie bounced away, then returned to give Gabe a quick kiss. “It’s time for girl talk, so no eavesdropping, both of you.” She wagged a finger at Leo, who thumbed through Callie’s files strewn on the carpet.
Gabriel stared at George’s closed door. Giggling and squealing came from behind it. He winced, silently agreeing not to eavesdrop if that was what he’d overhear.
“A recent addition to our Hold is a woman named Monique. Her father is Senator Carter.” Leo tapped the senator’s picture. “Had I known Callie investigated the man, I might have mentioned that tidbit.” He scrolled his fingertip along a line of text. “It says here she died in a motor vehicle accident. I saw her just this morning drinking from a feeder.”
“I don’t know if it has any bearing on Callie’s investigation.” Gabriel shrugged. “Tell me, Leo, is it possible for a youngling to taste rosemary or garlic?”
“No. There have been a few instances where other senses have been sluggish to convert but never taste. Why do you ask?”
“No reason.” Gabriel grinned.
Leo could pluck his thoughts out of his head, so he waited and watched. His friend’s face grew serious, then he arched a brow. “Most senses transform within a week of conversion. I am interested to see if Callie falls in line.” He took the nearest chair and sipped from the snifter of brandy he’d materialized.
“Thank you for bringing Val. I’ll owe you,” Gabriel said.
Leo met his gaze and nodded. “Adopting a shifter? I’m not sure Syl will allow it.”
“I don’t see why not. Her mother tossed her out like she was garbage, Leo.” A wave of protectiveness swept through Gabriel, and he grimaced. How could he already feel as if George was his own child? He did admire the little girl for helping a stranger. That said more about her character than anything else could have. “I’d like you to spend time with her. See for yourself she means us no harm.”
“I intend to. Syl will demand it. That’s not what concerns me, Gabriel. There are many with prejudice, or downright hatred, for all things shifter. We need to train Callie and Val as soon as possible. They must be able to defend themselves.”
Gabriel had intended to start her training tomorrow. “Dimitri said the same thing. Between the three of us, their training will include various skill sets.”
“Can you scent Val?” Leo asked, a frown marring his features.
Gabriel lifted his nose and inhaled, picking up Callie’s addictive essence and George’s sweetness mixed with puppy. Val had no scent, no indication of her presence.
“No. I’ve never encountered that before,” Gabriel said.
“Neither have I.”
“It might be their bloodline. Callie, do you have other sisters?” Gabriel asked, loud enough for her to hear him above their chatting.
“No, Gabe, just Val and me.” She popped her head around the door.
“We do have female cousins in the Devereaux line,” Valerie said. The door opened, and she appeared with a coffee in hand. She seated herself in the empty chair and winked at Callie, who’d climbed onto Gabe’s lap. He wrapped his arms around her, tugging her against his chest.
“Thank you for saving my sister.”
He nodded before planting a kiss on Callie’s head. George dropped onto the rug, content to play with her doll.
“Leo, did you do this?” Callie gestured to Valerie’s appearance.
“No, your sister did that all by herself.”
“Val, it looks like the dress I got you for Christmas. Those are the Prada pumps you spent a fortune on and only wore once.”
Valerie glanced at herself, and pink stained her cheeks. “I did wear it more than once,” she whispered, and shyness leaked into her expression, softening her features.
With a flick of Gabe’s fingers, Callie’s outfit changed from jeans and a T-shirt to a form-hugging red velvet gown, her feet covered in decadent red peep-toe pumps, her hair he’d pinned up in a chignon. She squealed her surprise, bringing forth an answering chuckle from him. With another flick, she was back in her jeans.
“Keep the shoes,” she said, planting a quick kiss on his chin.
Valerie’s eyes opened wide. Then she laughed.
“The conversion healed you,” Gabriel said when her laughter dwindled into a smile.
“Yes, with blood as my new addiction.” She grimaced.
A few younglings retained their human distaste for blood, so that wasn’t unusual.
“What happens to my sister now, Leo?” Callie’s directness had Leo’s gaze meeting Valerie’s.
“I asked to be her sire. She’s under my protection and guidance.”
“Like a slave?” Callie asked, anger crisping her voice.
“Like a student.” Leo evaporated his glass and stood. “On that note, come, Valerie, let’s not overstay our welcome.”
She rose to her feet, placing her empty mug on the side table. Callie stiffened. “But—”
“Callista, if you want to see her, open your mental door and talk to me,” Leo said, his tone abrasive. “That goes for you too,” he grumbled at Valerie.
She didn’t respond, just wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Ready,” she said, and with that, they dissolved.
“Intriguing,” Gabriel flashed Callie a smile.
“Yes. It looks like Leo has developed a fascination with my sister. So what did you two discuss?”
“Could you scent your sister?” Gabriel asked.
Callie frowned and tilted her head. “She smells like she used to before the chemo.”
He sent the information to Leo and received a grunt for his trouble. “Leo said something about Carter’s daughter, Monique, being a recent recruit.”
“Then she faked her death to become a suckblood?” Callie darted off his lap and rifled through her files, eagerness cementing her features.
He leaned forward and scooped George onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her tiny body.
“What do you want for lunch today, princess?” he asked, considering going grocery shopping for items she could help herself to. Fruit, snacks, juice? He was uncertain what products she liked.
“Hot dogs!” She bounced on his lap.
“Again?” he teased. “How about you and I sneak off to do grocery shopping?”
She jumped off his lap with a squeal and disappeared into her room with a singsong. “Getting my shoes!”
He rose to circle his arms around Callie, burying his face in her neck.
She patted his arm, distracted.
Grinning, he nuzzled her hair. “You should talk to Leo. It looks like he might have information to share.” She blinked, twisting to kiss his cheek. “I’m taking George shopping. See you later?”
“Have fun.”
She jolted and spun in his arms to bless him with a hot and spicy kiss. “Hurry back,” she said, a little breathless. “But enjoy this time with George.”