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What are you all doing up still?
Another hint of a smile. We’re vampires, Lenore. And Kaleid showing up is a very recent development.
“Well, Lenore,” Kaleid says. “Why don’t you sit down and join us? We’ve been discussing many things that involve you. Only fair if you get to hear about them yourself.”
I give Solon a sharp look. You’ve been discussing me?
Solon’s gaze is sharp in return. I’ve been trying to keep you out of it. For your own good.
Well, fuck. Now I’m more curious than anything.
I walk around Solon, warily approaching Kaleid. Wolf and Ezra seem relaxed, drinking espresso and lounging in the leather chairs, but their eyes are glued on him, their muscles tight and coiled, ready to strike if he makes a wrong move. Even so, I have no doubt that Solon would beat them to it.
And yet, I don’t fear Kaleid as much as I should. I can’t explain why. It’s not so much the easy, casual vibe that he’s putting out there—which may very well be for show—but more that I’ve been expecting him to show up, even though that makes no sense.
Could this possibly be the man that Jeremias told me about?
“You’ll have to forgive me if I seem a little apprehensive about you being here,” I say, stopping behind the chair where Solon was sitting before. “From what I know of you, you work alongside your father, and your father, well, he did try to have me killed.”
Kaleid nods thoughtfully, running his fingers over his chin. “Yes, I could see how you might hold a grudge against me because of that. Rest assured, I mean you no harm. In fact, I need your help.” He eyes Solon. “Just as Solon needs my help.”
Solon just grumbles and returns to the chair, gesturing for me to sit down. I do so absently as he pulls over a chair for himself, positioning himself between me and Kaleid, while also trying to keep his distance from me. I have to say, it’s noticeable. Not that Solon has been a very touchy-feely affectionate in public kind of guy, but when he’s trying to stay away from you, you know it.
“So,” I say, clearing my throat, fixing my eyes on Kaleid, trying to get a read on him. Solon always says it’s nearly impossible for a vampire to lie to another vampire, and while I don’t possess those truth-seeking skills with my diluted blood, I assume Kaleid would most likely be dead if Solon thought he was lying. I mean, he had to have invited Kaleid into this house, past the wards, into his sanctuary. That tells me that Solon has a modicum of trust in his brother. “You say you need help. Why us? Why are you here?”
Kaleid laughs and looks at Wolf and Ezra. “Wow, you weren’t joking when you said she gets right down to business.” But neither Wolf nor Ezra smile. Actually, Ezra never smiles, but even now he’s downright glowering.
I give Kaleid a pointed stare.
He gives me a quick smile in return. “I have to respect that. I can’t imagine Solon being with someone who didn’t put vampires in their place. I can only hope to God you’re able to do that with him.” He clears his throat, his face growing completely grave in a second, like a switch has been flipped. “The reason I’m here is because I needed to see Solon—and you—in person. And since Solon didn’t want to go with Onni back to Helsinki to meet with me, well, the next best thing was that I came to you. I figured I needed to earn your trust.”
“And you still haven’t,” Wolf says, before he has a calm sip of his espresso. Then he eyes me apologetically. “Sorry, Lenore, my manners have escaped me this morning. Would you like me to make you an espresso?”
Before I can tell him not to bother, Wolf is getting up and heading over to the espresso machine behind the bar.
“Interesting,” Kaleid muses, watching Wolf before looking over to Solon. “I would have thought you’d be doting on Lenore instead, given that she belongs to you.” Then, while Solon grinds his teeth together in response, Kaleid eyes me. “You still belong to him, don’t you? I’m sensing some kind of tension between you here. Solon, you’re barely looking at her. You don’t seem like the man in love that Onni described.”
“I belong to him,” I tell Kaleid, keeping my voice steady. “We’re just going through a rough patch.”
Solon’s gaze could cut diamonds as he glares at me. What are you doing? Don’t tell him anything.
“Trouble in paradise?” his brother asks lightly. “Anything to do with those scars on your chest? Those marks look awfully familiar.”
Solon emits a low growling noise, but Kaleid pays it no attention.
“It’s nothing,” I say, staring down at them. The wound is healed, but the ugly red scars remain, a constant reminder.
