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I kind of want to tell them thank you and how surprised I am, but I’m not quite that tactless. I keep it to myself. I don’t want to offend them or bring up bad blood, pun not intended. If the vampires are going to help us, then I can’t ruin it.
“We appreciate it,” I tell them. “I know that this is a risk, trusting people that you don’t know, but I think if we strike now we can prevent untold damage to the supernatural community.”
Malcolm nods. “We need to strike as fast as we can, before Roanac reaches his full strength.”
“We can’t afford to waste time,” the dark-haired one says.
“But Jerrett also understands the value of not running in without a plan,” the queen says, as if she’s gently reminding him.
Jerrett, Malcolm, and Sol. Those are the three men. Interesting. I hadn’t heard anything in the rumor mill about these two. Are they siblings, friends, or something more?
“We’ll start working on a plan,” the queen goes on.
I cringe. That’s pretty much what my mates, and I said, and our plan didn’t work out so well for us. I can’t help but worry, as powerful as these four vampires must be, if it’s going to be enough or if they’ll end up screwed the way my mates, and I did.
At least we took care of Donovan, and he seemed to be functioning as Roanac’s lieutenant by the end. Of course, there are plenty more threats on that island, starting with the fact that we couldn’t portal to it and including the shade army.
“While we plan,” Malcom says, “You’re all welcome to stay the night.”
“And we’d love to invite you to dinner,” the queen adds.
Malcolm gives her a look that’s so fond and warm, I never would’ve expected it from a vampire. It takes me off-guard. I hadn’t thought vampires capable of such open affection.
Cain still looks unhappy, but North speaks up. “We’d greatly appreciate it, your majesty.”
“Wonderful.” The queen smiles. “And please, just Willow will do fine.”
CHAPTER11
Aguard is summoned and leads us to some chambers where we can stay the night. Willow assures us that she’ll send someone to fetch us shortly for dinner. She actually seems excited about it. I can’t imagine why, except that maybe, just maybe, she misses talking to other fae? She was once fae herself, right? Perhaps she wants to talk to one of her own people.
I’m still nervous as fuck. We’re in the middle of a damn nest of vampires. And sure they might see it as their duty to stop Roanac, but does that stop them from trying to dine on our blood since we’re right here? Will they be able to suppress their instincts?
Or when they invited us to dinner did they mean thatwewould be the dinner?
The guard takes us to a set of rooms that are quite lavish. If we are going to be dinner, at least the rulers are doing us the favor of being nice to us beforehand. I’m surprised to see that there’s just the one large bedroom, with a humongous bed to match, and we’re not shown into separate bedrooms. It could be just because we’re fae in a vampire castle and will want to stick together, or perhaps they picked up on how I saidmy matesand planned accordingly.
Either way, I’m glad that we’re allowed to be in the same room. I don’t want to let any of my men out of my sight, and I don’t think they’d let me out of theirs.
The whole room is lovely. There’s a massive fireplace, although it looks like it hasn’t been used in ages. Vampires don’t need fire to keep warm, but this is the guest quarters so it must be for anyone else who stays here and needs it. There are large, thick red curtains at the windows, which doesn’t surprise me given that vampires like their darkness. A plush rug to match the curtains stretches across the floor, there’s a bookshelf piled with books that has a couple of cozy chairs in front of it, and even a large mirror, another sign this is a guest area since vampires can’t see their reflections.
I have to admit this bed is really nice. I flop onto it and sigh with contentment. Super comfy. Well, these people do know how to treat their guests in style.
The guys all sit down on the bed as well, although with less enthusiasm.
“What do you think?” Raven says. His voice is a whisper, mindful of a vampire’s keen hearing.
I doubt there’s anything we can say that a vampire won’t overhear, so we’ll have to be careful. But at least whispering gives the impression of privacy and that’s better than nothing.
“I want to get out of here,” Cain whispers. “We’re surrounded by vampires. Can Malcolm really keep them all in line while we’re here?”
“I’m sure any vampire that tried to attack us would be severely punished,” North whispers in response.
“That might be too late for us, though.”
“They do seem sincere,” I point out.
“Are you just saying that because they can probably hear us?” Cain says.
