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“We must go back through the barrier. Will the witches help us?”
As they spoke, Eliza drove the van out of the garage. Ahmed pulled down a large gate from the ceiling Gabby hadn’t noticed before, locking them in.
“I’ll make the call.” Nikolas turned towards a door to their right.
“I’m coming with you.”
“You don’t have to. I can take care of it.”
“I’m the Head of the House.” She grimaced at how she sounded, as if she was trying to assert authority over him. Felix was to blame. He made her prickly. In a calmer voice, she said, “My apologies, but if there are witches in our territory, I should meet them. No better time than now.”
Nikolas hesitated for a second before inclining his head. “As you wish. Follow me.”
The door led them back to the kitchen and living room area. They crossed to the other side and through another door. The new room was utilitarian, decorated with clean and sleek lines. A black metal desk dominated the back, with a chair on each side. A wooden shelf containing a variety of books and picture frames stood to the desk’s right. Two high-backed armchairs filled the corner, with a small black coffee table between them. A lamp on the desk and a floor lamp in the corner illuminated the area.
Nikolas crossed to the desk in three long strides. He tapped it once and the surface lit up with a keyboard. Another tap and a blueish semi-transparent screen showed up above the slit in the middle of the desk.
“It’s calling now.”
Gabby stood next to Nikolas while they waited.
Seconds later, a woman of Asian descent who looked to be in her mid-thirties appeared on screen. Her sable hair was pulled back into a ponytail, emphasizing her high cheekbones and strong jaw. Her almond-shaped eyes were guarded as she studied Nikolas and Gabby.
“Nikolas.” Distant. Respectful. Yet there was something Gabby couldn’t quite put her finger on.
“Andrea, is now a good time to talk?”
A wry smile twisted on the woman’s lips. “If I say no, will you call back later?” Nikolas stiffened even as the woman waved away the question. “Never mind. What do you need? And who is this?”
Gabby stood taller under Andrea’s scrutiny. In her most formal voice, she said, “I am Gabriella Crawford, Head of House Haven.”
A flare of alarm, then nothing. Gabby wouldn’t have caught it if she hadn’t been studying the woman. The smile disappeared.
“I… see… And how may I help you, Lady Gabriella?”
“We need you to break a magic barrier.” Nikolas explained the situation in brief, curt sentences. He wasn’t acting out of the ordinary, but Gabby sensed an unusual tenseness from him.
Andrea looked thoughtful. “Have you contacted the Moon Goddess coven?”
“Not yet.”
“You know I don’t like getting involved.”
Andrea’s focus was solely on Nikolas, not on her. Gabby wasn’t offended. After all, she hadn’t been around for four centuries.
“It’s a simple job,” Nikolas said.
“There’s nothing simple about missing vampires,” Andrea retorted.
“Our agreement—”
The woman’s eyes narrowed into a quelling glare. “I know what our agreement says.”
Gabby didn’t. She still had a lot of catching up to do. Andrea took a deep breath and continued, “I will honor it, only because I like Maria and Ahmed. Send me the location.”
Nikolas messaged her the details. “It’s about two hours from where you are.”
“I can’t make it tonight. It’ll have to be tomorrow night.”
