Page 99 of Those That Are Lost

CHAPTER 39

AURORA

Iwas not expecting the added complication of Antares finding his mate. But I couldn’t let it derail our plan. He didn’t seem keen to talk about it, which I found odd, but I was slightly glad because the longer we spent in the woods, the more likely we’d be spotted and I had a much grander entrance planned.

After a couple of minutes, Antares seems to shake himself out of his own head and we stalk the rest of the way through the trees, using the shadows cast in the darkening sky to sneak as close as we can without being exposed.

I hadn’t taken in the building much the last time I was here, but it really is in need of repair. A couple of the windows on the upper floor are boarded up. Even in the dusk I can see the paint flaking off the whitewash and a few missing tiles on the roof.

It's a large farmhouse with a wrap-around veranda and an outbuilding off to the left that looks in even worse repair. Maybe that used to be some sort of lodgings for the farm workers? Ty told me this land used to belong to a vampire within his parents’ pack and that the valley stretching offbehind it had fertile soil and enough grazing that sheep and a few cattle used to roam here.

The owner and his family were killed along with the rest of my mate’s pack.

We’re close enough now that those inside would be able to hear us. I doubt much of it is that soundproof when it looks barely weatherproof. Antares is a silent companion beside me. His footsteps are so light I can barely hear them and I’m walking not a foot from him.

I give up trying to hide.

Striding for the porch, I straighten my spine and add a swagger to my walk, like I’m supposed to be here. The front door opens as we’re a few metres away. A male steps out and calls in a gruff voice, “Who goes there?”

He’s not overly tall, a bit stocky, and has hair that’s clipping close to his skull. From all the studying, I place this as Tripp.

“See if you can guess?” I call back, keeping my voice light and flick my hair out over my shoulders. I don’t stop walking until I’m standing just off the veranda. Antares halts slightly behind my right shoulder like a sentry.

The vampire male’s eyes widen in shock and his jaw goes slack.

“Surprised to see me?” I grin up at him, sweetly innocent.

“Adicious!” he yells over his shoulder. I feel my insides turn to ice. We’ve planned for this moment, played it out in our minds and in training. I take a steady breath to slow my heart rate. The air tastes purer as it enters my lungs, and I quickly glance at my partner in this absurd plan. A quick wink from him tells me he is increasing the oxygen around me with his power, allowing me to breathe easier as my chest tightens. I’m so incredibly grateful to have him.

Adicious appears in the doorway with sharp words about being ordered around by his subordinate. That isuntil he spots me standing in the open lawn with Antares at my side. Our gazes lock and I don’t miss the shock that passes over his features, or the gleam that fills his eyes a beat later.

“This is unexpected,” Adicious addresses me and steps out onto the veranda. I hold my position, locking my limbs. I can feel the power rolling off the tall well-muscled male in front of me. This vampire has a dozen other males bonded to him. I can almost sense it, smell it in his blood. Maybe, now I have those same bonds, the magic that creates them can sense like for like. I feel for my own power to ensure my glamour is airtight.

“I thought it was about time I came home.”

Adicious surveys the full length of my body. And then he notices Antares. “And you brought a pet?”

“He’s useful,” I say through gritted teeth, indignant at Adicious’s choice of words.

“Hhmmmm… we shall see about that. You let him bond to you?”

“Yes.” There’s no point denying it.

“Heis standing right here.”Ah, there’s the fae turned vampire I know.

“You are a disgrace to the bloodline.” Andthere’sthe prick I’m going to end.

The growl that leaves my throat is involuntary. It makes Adicious puff his chest up a little.

“I see you’ve grown into your fangs more,” he addresses me once more. “We don’t take in strays.”

“He has proven himself to me. He’s helped me a lot over the last few months, including getting us safely back to Froan, which wasn’t easy.”

“Where have you been?”

“Here and there.” I shrug.

Adicious’s eyes narrow. “Explain why you’re back.”