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A kiss on the top of my head woke me from a dream about my mother. I missed her so much, it was a physical pain in my chest. Why was I thinking about my mother today? And then it hit me. I checked my phone for the date. Mom’s birthday was tomorrow. My mood always ended up in the dumper this time of year.

Clive sat and took my hand, his expression telling me he knew where my thoughts had gone. His voice filled my head. Sorry, love. I didn’t realize this is why you get melancholy in the summer.

I turned to stare at him. You could tell? Even when you only used to visit the bar once a month?

He nodded. It took a couple of years to recognize the pattern, but yes. I wondered why but didn’t think it my place to ask.

I rested my head on his shoulder. I just miss her.

He took my hand and held it in both of his. It sounded like you had a rough start to this trip.

Did Stheno tell you?

No. I was listening.

I thought you were sleeping.

I didn’t settle down and sleep until I felt you drop off. He pulled my hand to his lips. Give her time. I got the impression from Vlad that she’s dealing with something very troubling in her past. Try to give her some grace.

I am. I hate putting her in a position where she has to confront something she doesn’t want to.

It’s been a few thousand years, darling. It’s probably time.

Chapter 6

WEAPONS INSPECTION

Eventually, Vlad and Stheno joined us in the main cabin. I introduced Coco to Vlad. She seemed more uncomfortable now that there were two vampires close by.

Vlad studied me a moment. “Are you carrying your axe?”

“You can’t tell?” I raised my eyebrows at him.

His huge mustache twitched. “I smell elven steel, but one of your companions could be carrying a weapon.”

Leaning forward and grinning, I said, “You can scent the type of metal, can you? Hmm.” I turned to Bracken and Coco. “Are either of you guys carrying weapons?”

They both nodded.

“Excellent.” I rubbed my hands together. “Let’s give the warlord a little test. Let him sniff it and see if he gets it right.” I turned back to Vlad. “No touching, though. If your skin burns, you’ll know it’s elven.”

Coco’s expression changed from wariness to satisfaction. “Vampires can’t touch fae-made weapons?”

I shook my head. “It burns their skin.”

She’d barely began to smile when Vlad held up a black-gloved hand. “Which is why I always carry these with me.”

Bracken lifted a pant leg and removed a large hunting knife from a sheath around his calf, shocking the hell out of me. He held it up and Vlad stood, walking across the cabin and holding out his hand.

“May I?” Vlad asked. “It’s Damascus steel. I can see that from here. Beautiful weapon.”

Bracken handed it to him and Vlad weighed it on the side of his forefinger. His gloved hands then skated over the razor sharpness and jagged edges. “It’s in excellent condition,” Vlad murmured. “It isn’t new, though. Did this belong to an ancestor?”

Bracken shook his head. “I saw it in the window of a pawn shop a decade or so ago. I wasn’t shopping, but when I saw it, I knew I had to buy it. I don’t ignore feelings like that.”

Vlad handed it back and Bracken returned it to its sheath. “I haven’t had use for it until now,” Bracken continued. “When I was packing a few things last night, I remembered it and strapped it on.” He glanced at me. “I instantly felt better about this quest after that.”

“A decade ago?” Clive asked.