“It’d be more detrimental to King Raphael if you were captured and tortured for information. Think about that. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
I slouch against the couch and grumble, “No, that’s it. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
He turns on his heel and leaves me to drown in my funk. So much for telling him about the mystery vampire girl. I bet what happened to me will be the first thing he’ll report to Lucca and the others when they return. I can already hear the reprimanding from Lucca and Ronan, and the mocking from Saxon.
I grab my phone to see if I got a text from Annabelle or anyone else I used to know from my previous life. Just then, it rings, scaring the crap out of me. I don’t recognize the phone number, but I still answer it.
“Hello?”
“Vaughn? It’s Isadora Leal.”
Shit. The High Witch is calling me. Did she find out about my royal fuckup? Man, did Gerard rat me out already?
“Hey, what’s up?” I ask, nonchalant.
What’s up? This is the High Witch, dumbass.
“Sorry. Forget I said that,” I amend quickly. “How can I help you?”
“I need a favor. I must leave town for a couple of days, and I’m not keen about leaving Niko alone. Do you think you can keep an eye on her at night?”
“You want me to babysit your daughter?”
“Not babysit. She’d hate that. She’s involved with Troy Tanner, a rogue mage, and I don’t trust my daughter to not get into shenanigans with that boy.”
“So… if I’m not babysitting, what am I doing, then?”
“Keep an eye on the house, and if she leaves, follow her.”
I rub my face, guessing where this is going. “You want me to spy on your daughter?”
“Yes.”
Man, the woman is cold, but I get it. “No problem. I can do that.”
“Oh, thank you. Can you start tonight?”
“Sure can.” I get on my feet. “I’ll be at your house in ten.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
Spying on the High Witch’s daughter was not on my bingo card this year, but it beats staying cooped up in the house, worrying that I may have developed a tiny bit of a crush on the enemy.
Fourteen
VAUGHN
Ipark in front of Isadora’s house and text her to say I’m in position. She replies that she’s leaving in five minutes, but she won’t acknowledge my presence in case Niko is watching from the house. Man, who is this kid who makes the most powerful witch in Salem walk around her on tiptoes?
Like clockwork, Isadora’s garage door opens exactly five minutes later, and she backs out the driveway. I stay put and wait. The lights inside the house are on, which means Niko is still awake. It’s half past ten, but I don’t know any teenager who goes to bed before midnight.
It occurs to me that Isadora is only worried about Niko getting in trouble if she goes out, but there are plenty of shenanigans to be had without leaving the house, especially with a boyfriend in the picture. I can attest that teen boys are the fucking worst.
Ten minutes after Isadora left, a black truck pulls up the driveway, and a tall dude with dark blond hair steps out. I tense. If he goes in, there’s nothing I can do. But Niko walks out of the house and meets him halfway. They greet with a quick peck on the lips, then both hop into his truck.
I let out a breath of relief. Now I can fulfill my promise to keep an eye on the girl. I follow the truck at a safe distance to avoid getting spotted. It’s not until we’ve been driving for about ten minutes that I can guess where they’re going—Bloodstone Institute. There’s nothing else in this area.
