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"Others, when they learn of your origins, will test your loyalty, question whether you're . . . biddable. There will be doubts as to your willingness to accede to my authority." His gaze intensified, his irises now a deeper green - like cold, dark seawater. "I want the other Houses to know that you're mine."
I heard the strained note of possessiveness in his voice, but knew it wasn't personal - it had nothing to do with me, but reflected his concern that another House might lure me away. And Ethan wasn't interested in sharing his new toy. Whatever his physical attraction to me, I was a weapon, an instrument, a secret tool to be garnered in defense of his House. In defense of his vampires.
But he'd given me a weapon of my own. While I was a Cadogan vamp, subject to his dictates - and while I had no immediate plans to buck his authority - I was Sentinel for Cadogan House, not Ethan Sullivan. My plans for protecting the House would supersede his individual plans for me. Ironically, while he thought to reel me in further, he'd actually given me the keys to my independence.
"While it might be fun for you to show me off," I told him, "it's better for Cadogan if my strengths aren't paraded in front of the other Houses. It's better to keep them in the dark and for you to let me do my job. I'll attract less suspicion if they don't know how strong I am, especially if they don't know I have some immunity to glamour. The surprise will work to our advantage." My tone didn't allow for disagreement, just offered a strategy that I knew he'd see was right.
As I waited for an answer, as he considered what I'd said, I offered, "Unless you only wanted me to be a figurehead - and not actually employ my skills to secure the House."
Ethan shook his head, frowning as he did it. "No. You'll stand Sentinel. But they'll still question your loyalty. Word of our, let's call them, conflicts has spread."
"Then my word that all is well in Cadogan House, that I'm, let's say, committed to your service won't have much effect. They'll respect deeds, Ethan, not words."
I saw the glint of appreciation in his eyes. "Fair enough." His gaze slid to the crowd behind me, and I realized they'd been watching the entire dialogue. Our positions weren't exactly inconspicuous, standing as we were in the front of the room, scores of still-attentive vampires watching.
"Let's continue this discussion tomorrow, Sentinel."
Noting that I'd now lost my first name as well to my new title, I nodded my acquiescence. At the motion of his hand, I took my place as the twelfth addition to Cadogan House, standing directly in front of Amber. I could feel her glaring behind me, but kept my gaze open and blank and on the vampires in front of us. Their suspicious stares weren't any better, but at least they regarded me with a little less overt, Ethan- induced jealousy.
Ethan turned to the crowd. "Friends, having heard the oaths of our twelve new members, we face the dawn as a House made larger, made stronger, made more secure against its enemies. I bid you welcome your new brothers and sisters with open arms."
A male vamp in the crowd called out, "Open arms are great! Just don't forget to lock your bedroom doors!"
Ethan chuckled along with the crowd. "And on that irreverent note, I call this Commendation closed and bid you good night. Dismissed."
The crowd offered a simultaneous "Thank you, Liege," and the lines of vampires began to relax and cluster into smaller groups. The women to my left squealed happily, and began embracing one another, probably thrilled they'd finally been admitted to the House. I didn't feel comfortable joining in the celebration - for better or worse, I wasn't one of them - and instead glanced back at Ethan. He was back in the pirate-inspecting- his-crew pose, and I wondered if he felt that same sense of separateness - being both a member of Cadogan but, by virtue of being its Master, not really one of them.
I moved back to him, confident that I'd taken his measure, but needing to reassure myself about something.
"Ethan?"
Eyes on the crowd, he responded, "Hmm?"
"What do you think about the Bears?"
He slid me a glance, one blond brow arched. "That they're large hibernating predators?"
I opened my mouth to clarify, but realized the answer said enough. "Never mind," I said, and melted into the crowd.
Just outside the ballroom, the new vamps clustered together, grinning and laughing about the ceremony, patting one another on the back and sharing victorious hugs. I watched the celebration, not quite sure my joining them would be appreciated.
Something nudged my back. I turned to find Lindsey, who held out a stack of binders and thick manila folders, the topmost of which had a lumpy bulge. I took the materials, which must have weighed ten pounds, and lifted questioning eyes.
"Paperwork," she explained. "Insurance forms, House rules, all that good stuff. We've got a Cadogan Web site. Luc's security protocols are in the secure section. Log in and look through them as soon as you have a chance. You'll need to be familiar with them in a week or two. Your beeper's in there, too. Keep it with you always - no exceptions. If you're in the shower, take it into the bathroom. Luc considers all security personnel on- call twenty-four-seven. That even includes a high-and-mighty Sentinel."
In between smirks, I managed to ask, "Does that include you?"
She nodded. "I'm a guard." She nudged me with her hip. "So we'll be seeing a lot more of each other now that you're standing Sentinel. Historic move, that. Answer a question?"
I instinctively looked around, checked that we were far enough away from the other vamps that I wouldn't be giving away any state secrets by answering something honestly. The new Novitiates seemed to be arranging their celebration party, so I figured I was safe.
"Ask away."
Lindsey cocked her head at me. "Are you sleeping with Ethan?"
Why did people keep asking me that? "No. No. Definitely not. No."
Probably the first no had answered the question, but I couldn't seem to stop throwing them out. Was I protesting too much?
"Oh, 'cause it's just. . . ."
"It's just what?"
She patted my shoulder. "Don't get your hackles up. I don't want to end up pinned to the training room floor."
I arched a brow at that, but she grinned back. I was beginning to like this girl.
"You two just seemed to have a connection." She shrugged. "It doesn't matter to me, either way. He's hot as a son of a bitch." Lindsey cast an interested glance back toward the open ballroom doors, just in time to see Ethan saunter out, deep in conversation with Malik. "Tall, blond, body of a god."
