Page 67 of His Eternal Temptation

“Come in,” he called, settling into his leader persona as the door opened.

Kai appeared in the doorway. “Glad to hear the curse is taken care of, boss. Hey there, Lane.” The tips of his ears reddened, answering the question of whether he’d overheard them.

Vampire hearing wasn’t great for privacy. Not that Rowan or Lane had been particularly quiet.

“Hey.” Lane’s cheeks flushed. Adorable. He didn’t seem overly embarrassed, which was good, if he was considering taking his and Rowan’s play into a public setting.

Come to think of it, Kai’s blush was unlike him. He attended bite nights and had seen Rowan have sex. Unless the rest of the conversation was what made Kai feel he’d intruded. The confessions of love. The plans for a future.

Rowan’s skin prickled with the feeling of exposure. He hadn’t planned to keep this relationship from his coven. He trusted every Valero, Nicole, Vera, and Hunter, too. They were allowed to know his hopes and dreams.

“What can I do for you, Kai?”

In a blink, he was all business. “Felix says Caden is ready to see you. He’s settled enough to get through a conversation about what happened to him, and Felix wants you there for it.”

“Of course. Should we go to him?”

“No.” Kai pulled out his phone and sent a text. “He and Caden will meet you here. I think Caden wants to get out of the room.”

He’d been contained in Felix’s room this entire time? Rowan hadn’t spared enough thought for the poor feral vampire.

He rose and made his way over to the couches, gesturing for Lane to follow. “Will you stay?” he asked Kai.

“I think the fewer people crowding around, the better. I’ll wait outside.” He slipped into the hall.

Lane watched the doorway, tenser than he’d been. “Felix hasn’t given you an update?”

“No.”

“I didn’t realize Caden was still having so much trouble holding a conversation, but I guess it makes sense. Given what we saw of him.”

“I hadn’t realized either.” Felix would have asked for help if he’d needed a break from soothing Caden, but Rowan should have checked in directly. Done more than he had.

This was a prime time for Cris to pop into his head with a cutting remark, but none came. Only the faintest echo of Rowan’s sire lingered, an echo he was probably imagining.

Felix appeared in the doorway, leading Caden with a steady hand on his shoulder. “Rowan, I’d like you to meet my friend Caden.”

Rowan stood, Lane at his elbow, and let his unreadable mask slip away. He smiled. “It’s a pleasure to officially meet you, Caden. This is Lane.”

Caden jerked his chin in a half-nod, his eyes darting around the room. His tongue flicked out to wet his lips, but he didn’t say anything. His fangs were extended. Had they retracted at all since he’d been turned? At least his eyes weren’t glowing.

Caden glanced expectantly at Felix, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

“You’re good. Let’s sit and talk, hmm?” Felix smiled with such warmth, Rowan could practically feel it. Had he ever seen such an expression on Felix’s hard face?

They all settled into their seats, Rowan and Lane across from the others. Caden sat pressed tight to Felix’s side, his hands settling on his lap, tapping out a rapid rhythm.

Rowan leaned forward. “How are you doing?”

Caden’s tapping sped up. “Okay.”

“You can speak as freely as you like.” Rowan tried to show compassion without veering into condescension. “I’m here to listen.”

“Then I’m not okay. I’m… Uh. Felix said he’s part of your coven.” Caden’s hand flew to Felix’s knee, then jerked away. Felix covered it with his, engulfing Caden’s twitching fingers, and his fidgeting stopped. “He said you’d help me.”

Rowan’s throat tightened. Fuck, he hoped he could help Caden. “Felix is right, I’ll do everything I can. It’s what the Valeros do.”

“I’m supposed to think you’re my sire,” Caden said, words a sudden rush.