Page 71 of The Vampire Debt

“This isn’t your fault,” I say. There’s no way he could have known she would go that far, or felt that way about him.

He assists me as I push myself to sit up.

“I am responsible for her actions—she was in my employ.” Then he lifts his gaze to meet my own, the corner of his mouth ticking up. “I promise, my dear Clara, if you are to die, then it will be at my hand and my hand alone.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” I ask.

He raises his brows. “Does it?”

I think about it for a moment, studying his face, then nod once. “Yes, a little.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Clara

I glanceup to the window on the third floor. The room is dark, but I know he’s there. His presence, though I wish to be alone to sort through the events of last night, gives me some measure of comfort. He is my strange and dark guardian.

Turning my arms over, I look at them as if I can see through my sleeves and the bandages under, to the thin skin barely healed over and just enough to have stopped the bleeding. It is still tender and raw, but I am still in awe of how much he was able to heal me.

The distant whinny of horses comes from down the road. My head snaps up.

Two white stallions come charging over the crest of the hill and down the drive. Their hooves thunder, and behind them trails a large black carriage with gold embellishments. The animals are wild, and it might be my imagination, but I can almost swear that their eyes glow a demonic red.

Chills run down my spine and I stand and run a few steps toward the house, but the blood loss from last night has me weak and spots form, dancing before my eyes. I am forced to slow.

I only make it halfway up the steps to the front door before the carriage comes to a violent halt. I turn and face the visitor. Whoever it is, I know it cannot mean anything good for me.

The door swings open and a beautiful man steps down, every movement is graceful in an unearthly manner that only a vampire is capable of.

His long blond hair is pulled back at the nape of his neck. He is dressed in clothes so fine, that I believe he might outrank Alaric in the vampire hierarchy.

The second his eyes land on me, a wide, sensual smile spreads across his face, which leaves me with the image of a starving man seeing a banquet for the first time. I blink and he stands only inches before me, hazel eyes ringed in red. He leans in close and inhales a deep breath then says in a whisper, more to himself, “My, you are a delicious snack, aren’t you little human.”

My heart beats fiercely against my ribcage.

“I am Mr. Harkstead, but you may call me Lawrence,” he says as he lifts my hand and brushes his lips across my knuckles.

Distantly, I hear the sound of the door opening behind me, followed by soft footfalls. A firm arm wraps around my shoulders from behind and pulls me up against a solid chest.

“Hello, Lawrence. We hadn’t expected you for a few days yet,” Alaric’s voice rumbles in his chest against my back.

Lawrence smiles, showing his white teeth and sharp canines. He lifts one shoulder and shrugs, his attention solely on Alaric now, though I find little comfort in it as Alaric pulls me tighter into his hold.

“Elizabeth was anxious to hear an update from you as you’ve failed to respond to any of her letters.”

I feel Alaric stiffen at my back and I wonder what it was about that statement that seems to worry him.

“Come,” Lawrence says, “let us get out of this dreadful sun. It’s too draining for my liking.”

Finally, Alaric loosens his hold as he steps around me, simultaneously placing himself between the new vampire and me. “Of course, forgive my lack of manners. Come in, we will get you settled, then we can talk tonight in the study.”

Mrs. Westfield bows to him, giving him a warm, familiar smile as she ushers him inside. Alaric takes my hand in his and we follow after.

“I will be with you shortly, Lawrence, I must take care of some business first,” he says, not bothering to look back as he leads me down the hall a little too fast.

“Certainly, and take your time,” Lawrence says, meaning dripping from his tone. “I am in no hurry.”

Once we round the corner, Alaric slows but he doesn’t speak and he doesn’t relinquish my hand. I want to ask him so many things, but I allow him to pull me through the manor wordlessly. Anything I say in the open can be overheard by Mr. Harkstead.