Page 49 of The Shadow of the Count

“Should I let him rest?” It was good to hear that Douglas thought he was doing the right thing.

“For now? Yes. If he’s not up by tonight? Kick his ass out of bed and make him eat and bathe.”

Peter’s cheeks heated. “We did make sure he bathed after—after last night.”

“Thank God for that. Dried blood smells bad.” Clark winked at him.

“It does.” Poor Don had been horrified, wanting it off. But Peter wasn’t going chastise Clark. That sort of thing was how Chambers dealt with stress, just like Peter lost himself in his books for hours.

“Are you enjoying Italy?” Clark asked Douglas, who nodded.

“I am. It’s warm, the food is good. We’re intending to stay.”

“Oh? Make sure you keep your place in Los Angeles,” Clark said. “Europe is still a hotbed.”

“We’ve got a weather eye on it. We’re looking at a few other places to have a third home as well.” He noted Douglas didn’t tell them where his other home was. He supposed he couldn’t blame the man. He needed a bolthole.

“Good man.” Clark nodded in approval.

“Has anyone heard from M. Grant?” He wasn’t sure why the question suddenly came to him, but it did.

Clark and Jeb exchanged glances. “We had a telegram. He says his resources are at our disposal, but that he has no real information on the count himself.”

“But you don’t believe him.”

Clark pulled a face. “I believe, as ever, he serves his own motives. We will do as he wishes us to do, and sometimes, it’s better not to know.”

“And what are his motives? Surely one of you knows…”

“No.” Jeb said it shortly. “No one does. There’s a reason he’s called the mysterious benefactor.”

“He wants us to take out the count. That much I’m sure of.” Clark stared Jeb down. “Don’t question too much. You’ll just make yourself insane.”

“Well, it’s not far to drive right now.”He tried for the old joke.

They all chuckled at him, and he winked, glad he could help to ease the mood.

They finished eating, all of them gone quiet, the room somber as they waited for…something.

The door burst open a while later, Yvgeny there, hair wild as he snatched off his hat. “Carmilla Abbey.”

“What?”

“He bought an abbey. That’s where he is. We need to go. Now. The light is failing.”

Peter stared, mouth open. Yes. He remembered something about Carmilla Abbey now. Dammit, how had he missed that?

“It’s not far,” Richard came charging in. “Grab anything we can use as a weapon.”

“I need to get Don. We can’t just leave him here unprotected.” Peter started out of the room.

“I’ll stay here with Charles and Donnie,” Douglas offered. “Save you the time for them both to wake up and dress.”

He paused. “All right. But we’re counting on you.”

Douglas nodded. “I’ll be armed. Trust me.”

“He won’t let anyone hurt Donnie, Peter. They’re brothers.”