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Stefan released my face and grabbed his keys. He took my hand and led me out the apartment towards the elevator.
“Stefan! I’m in a nightgown. Where are we going?” I protested as we hurried along. I glanced down at my gown. It was more like strategically placed lace over satin than a nightgown. I hadn’t planned on wearing it for long.
“No one will see you. Come.” He veered towards the stairwell, guiding me up two flights of stairs. We came to the rooftop entrance and he pulled out his keys, unlocking the door. A small patio was on the roof, scattered lounge chairs and tables arranged on a cobblestone path.
I looked around and then back at Stefan. “Are we supposed to be up here?”
He smiled arrogantly. “Ah, you forget we own the building. This is our space. We are completely alone.”
Placing my hands on my hips, I giggled. “Stefan, you own the buildings. I appreciate you including me, but it’s yours.”
“Yet another thing we need to discuss.” He frowned and irritation darkened his features. “Come sit with me and tell me about your day.”
He lowered himself into a lounge chair, stretching out his long legs. He opened his arms wide, an enticing invitation to join him. I sat down and he pulled me along side of him, wrapping me in his embrace.
“Let’s see. I spoke with Georgia this morning,” I began reciting my day, quickly ticking things off. I’d save the worst for last and would rush through it as quickly as possible. “I had a long talk with Anna and I used my shield on Lukas.”
He stiffened beside of me. “I told you not to tell anyone of that ability. Even Lukas.”
“I know. He aggravated me and it kind of happened.” I hadn’t intended on using my shield on Lukas. I was only stretching the truth a little.
“Are you forgetting I know when you lie? Not only are you are horrible at it, but I can feel the dishonesty,” Stefan murmured. “Lukas is frustrating so I understand why you did it. What was his reaction?
I chuckled softly as I remembered Lukas’ unhappy reaction to my ability. “I scared him. Anna thinks I’m more than a hybrid. What else could I be?”
Stefan smoothed his cheek against my hair. “Did anything else happen?”
Shaking my head, I glanced up at him. It didn’t escape my notice that he’d avoided my question. “I have nothing. Now,what did you want to tell me about?”
I felt his dread creep into our tie. He didn’t want to talk about any of the things he had to discuss. He knew they’d be upsetting to me, which in turn would be upsetting to him.
“The Council Meeting is on Friday. We are all required to attend. We will all be required to testify,” Stefan said, his voice almost robotic. He sounded like he was reading off from a prepared statement. His expression turned sullen as he pulled me closer to him.
My panic rose. I knew about the meeting. Knowing that I’d be testifying was daunting. “We? What if..”
"There is no reason to worry about Friday, vackra. It will be fine."
My eyes went skyward for a moment and a deep sigh escaped. "We're testifying in front of the Council to explain Derek's death. My father will be there. You can't expect me not to worry a little."
He tipped my chin up with his index finger and smiled me, exposing his even teeth in a wicked grin. He tapped the side of his temple with the tip of his index finger lightly.
"You need to stop underestimating me. I have not lived centuries by being wrong. It will be fine."
Scowling, I could only stare at his cocky grin with a mixture of aggravation and amazement.
"I don't underestimate you. My father..." I began.
"Is unreadable. I know," he admitted. His lip curled back in a sneer at the mention of my father. "Trust me. This is not the first time nor will it be the last time I will face the Council to testify to report a death."
His normally expressive blue eyes glazed over, his mind flickering quickly through his memories of numerous faces like a photo album, assessing each image. They were all vampires that met their end at his hands. I lost track of how many as his mind became a fast-moving blur. The images took on a much different meaning with the knowledge that many were innocent, a sacrifice for my father's agenda.
"You have to face them each time?"
He released a loud exhale. "More or less."
He was being extremely vague. I crossed my arms and watched him intently. When I spoke, my voice was tense. "More or less? Stefan, this is me you're talking to, not a stranger. What does that mean?"
"There are times I do have to testify. Other times I do not. This time is different. Derek not only attempted to kill Anna, vackra. He was sent to kill you. As my mate, you are my property. Therefore his life was mine to dispose of. I need to explain my actions," Stefan paused. "Anna has been required to tell her side of the story since his course of action caused her change."
