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He started to cross to the elevator when Rafe’s voice stopped him.
“Tomorrow night, then?”
Philippe turned to find that Rafe had stood and was now facing him. He raised a questioning brow at the other vampire.
“You know of another hunting ground, correct?” Rafe asked.
“Yes.”
“Let’s check that out tomorrow night.” His mouth tilted in the devilish smirk that was becoming so damn familiar. “See if we get shot at again?”
Philippe nodded, fighting his own smile. “At least we’ll know to watch for it.”
“I’ll see you here at eleven, then.”
Philippe nodded one last time and continued to the elevator. He had too much to think on, and the most important was that he might have misjudged Rafe completely. He hadn’t been prepared for that surprise.
Rafe walked over to where his violin rested in its case. He let his fingers caress the glowing wood, loving the silky-smooth feel of the varnish. After the murder of Julianna, he’d been afraid he’d never be able to pick up the instrument again. Nearly every memory of the instrument was touched by her presence. He’d thought the pain would be too much.
But the truth was that the violin was his only solace when his mind was troubled. When he was unsure, he could pick it up and allow his unconscious mind to fall along old musical paths while he ruminated on new problems. When he played, he could still feel Julianna with him, watching over him, guiding him, loving him.
And tonight, he needed her.
Philippe left him feeling too unsettled. Too vulnerable.
But now that he was gone from the penthouse, the old hollowness came rushing back.
It didn’t make any sense. No one but his brothers, Lola, and Ryder knew about Gideon. His private family.
When Gideon appeared, Rafe could have easily asked Philippe to leave, and he was sure the vampire would have done so, but he wanted Philippe to remain. He’d wanted to share that private moment, to show him the beauty of Gideon’s gift, but also the secret burden Rafe carried when it came to Gideon. Something had told him that Philippe would understand like no one else. He didn’t know why he was so confident in that, but he was.
And it scared him.
Luckily, he didn’t have to tackle that worry alone.
The elevator pinged again, announcing its return. Rafe didn’t need to turn to see who had arrived. He picked up the violin and bow, slowly drawing the bow across the string in a soft, forlorn cry.
Turning toward the living room, Rafe grinned to see Winter strolling into the room, his hands shoved into his pockets and a questioning look in his eyes. His youngest brother had texted that he was waiting outside his penthouse until he was alone. There was no escaping this conversation, and Rafe welcomed it.
“Eventful night,” Winter said as he dropped into one of the chairs.
Rafe continued to play. Not really a song. Just a lighthearted melody.
“Bel is still frothing, which is making Marcus irritable. Ethan has even started texting me. You need to talk to Bel again.” Winter paused and smirked. “Or at least Ozzie.” He pointed out the balcony window to find not only Ozzie perched on the railing of his balcony, but a dozen other ravens lined up and watching him.
Growling, Rafe stopped playing and marched over to the sliding glass door. He ripped it open and waved his bow at the ravens. They cried out and scattered, filling the night air with their calls creating a loud cacophony. Only Ozzie remained stubbornly perched on the railing, flapping his wings and shouting at Rafe.
“Go back to Bel! Tell him I’m just fine!”
Ozzie cawed some more.
“Shoo! Get out of here! Return, and I’ll serve you up rotisserie style.”
Ozzie cawed a couple of times more and then took to the air. Rafe stomped into the penthouse and closed the door. Winter chuckled softly.
“I don’t think he believes your threat because he knows you can’t cook.”
“I can hire someone for it,” Rafe grumbled. “I’ll call Bel later.”
“As to your earlier question, I’ve seen and heard nothing from the League since we dismantled the Black Wolf clan and the attack on Marcus’s home. I don’t think there are many survivors around, but I’ll check on them.”
Rafe nodded. Philippe’s suggestion hadn’t been a bad one. It was very clear there were more than a few vampires out there who would like to get rid of all the Variks. The destruction of the Black Wolf clan might have bought them a little breathing room as everyone took a step back to reassess the Variks, but it was far from over.
The only thing still nagging Rafe’s brain was the vampire he’d sensed close by. Not a human. He could have been wrong, but it was a strange thing to be wrong about. It wasn’t like he could confuse a human and a vampire.
