Ten
Darian turned to Cally as soon as Mr. Alexander had left the dining room.
“It’s stopped raining outside. May I show you some of the grounds?”
Cally glanced at Eve, who gave an almost imperceptible nod.
“Sure,” Cally said. “I could do with some fresh air.”And some time alone.But she’d settle for one out of two, and it seemed Darian had something he wanted to discuss—away from listening ears.
Darian’s mouth quirked. “I thought you might say that.”
“Well, it was a lovely dinner,” Eve declared, pushing herself up. “I think I’ll return to my room and read a few more pages.”
“My man will escort you,” Darian said, rising too, and waving over one of the discreetly loitering attendants.
They all knew Eve could find her way back without help, but she didn’t even blink. “How considerate.” She gave them both a smile. “Good night.”
Darian waited until Eve had left. “There’s a nice walk down to the lake. It’s beautiful this time of night.”
“You’re not worried about me learning where the mansion is?”
Darian led her into the hallway outside and to the front door. “We’ve come to an understanding, haven’t we?”
Cally clenched her jaw. “If you mean do I understand the threats leveled at me, then yes. I do.”
He had the decency to wince. “I meant that you’d agreed to help.”
“Right.” Except she hadn’t.
Cally stepped outside ahead of him, the cool night air still smelling of rain, the wet lawn reflecting the lights of the house.
“This way,” Darian said, turning onto a path that curved around the side of the house and continued toward the lake. They walked in silence, trees to either side, moonlight glinting on still water ahead.
“Flat response just now,” he commented after a while. “Aren’t you glad you can help?”
“I don’t disagree the world would be a better place with fewer vampires.”
“But?”
“It’s not so simple, is it?” She kept her gaze on the path ahead. “If they think we can find them, they’ll go into hiding. If they think we’re hunting them, it’ll start a war. If they come looking for you, they won’t stop until the Order is no more. If I help you, that includes me.”And those close to me.
He studied her. “You’re not wrong. So what do you suggest?”
She’d already said more than she should. “I don’t have an answer. Do you?”
“There isn’t one, other than to not be caught. Clean kills, no trace back to the Order, no one gets captured alive.”
“Next you’re going to tell me you all have cyanide capsules in your teeth.”
He looked straight ahead, his jaw tight.
“You do?” she asked, incredulous. “You all have some kind of suicide pact?”
“It’s not a suicide pact,” he muttered. “It’s just common sense.”
“I guess that’s one name for it.” She let out a short laugh. “I bet you’re real damn careful when you chew, huh?”
His lips twitched. “Gives a whole new meaning to nut allergies.”
