Page 157 of Vameer

“Vadas?” I whisper.

He dips his chin. “Vampire of the kingdom of Saxony of old. Son of Fire. Brother to Volik.”

The murmurs are instant.

Volik has a brother?

“Why don’t I recognize you?” I know there are vampires out there I’ve never seen, but this one… He’d be hard to miss for seventy years.

“I have been away for a bit. But I am back now.”

Been away where?

I keep the focus on the present. “Why now?”

“I found my mate.”

It’s so matter of fact.

A statement so full of purpose it makes my chest ache.

To have dedication like that…

“And why come here?” I push my emotions into their box. “I will not believe you coming to my room is a coincidence.”

“My brother trusts you. And I am in need of… exposure.”

That statement prompts so many questions.

I want to ask if he’s being hunted, but I don’t want to cause unnecessary fear. This giant brother of Volik’s, appearing out of nowhere, right after the discovery of shifters, is fear inducing enough. But I can play between the lines.

“Are there people who already know you’re back?”

“Some. But they should know that Volik’s allies are my allies. An enemy to my ally is an enemy to me. And thinking you can catch me off guard is a mistake.” Vameer moves so he’s standing behind Rune. “My mate and I wish to continue the fragile peace you speak of. The balance does not have to shift.”

He’s getting ready to leave, so I have limited time left. “As an ally to Volik, if either of you ever want to talk more, you clearly know how to find me.”

“Appreciate that.”

I swallow. “Anything else you’d like to say before you go?”

“Da,” he says, and it sounds exactly like his brother. “My brother and I share blood. But I do not share his restraint.” He moves his black gaze to the crowd. “Testing me would be unwise.”

Red smoke billows out around Vameer’s feet. Then, in a blur, they’re gone.

The doors at the back of the room slam shut behind them.

And the word dread floats through my mind. Except the feeling inside me is… anticipation.

Chapter 88

Vameer

My cheeky gravito stretches its crimson tendrils ahead of us, shoving doors open, pushing people out of the way, clearing a path.

Rune is clinging to me. Arms around my neck, face buried in my throat, legs tight against my sides. But I have her.

Even like this, horizontal to the floor, I will not drop her.