Page 33 of Veiled Yearning

“No.” Her voice firms. “If it comes to saving someone I care about, I’ll do it. But… to be out there, doing it over and over? Like a weapon? I can’t. Please—”

I rush to reassure her. “You don’t have to. You’re not obligated to do anything. If you want to go home, I’ll make it happen—”

I don’t want her to. And I could never have imagined myself saying this even a week ago. But knowing Chiara, really getting to know her, and hearing what she’s been through… I can’t be a part of anything that would hurt her again.

She blinks at me, surprised. “You would send me home? Not take any of my help?”

“Yes. If that’s what you want. Or if you want to stay, but only for protection, that’s okay, too.”

“Oh.” Nonplussed, Chiara stares at me in silence for a second. Then she glances down, brows jumping as she realizes she’s still sitting on my lap. “Sorry. I didn’t mean—” She moves off my legs quickly. “And I’m crying all over you. I’m so—”

“I don’t mind.” It’s gruff, rough with emotion. “You on my lap, I mean. The crying though… I don’t like that. I don’t like that you’re sad. And if going home will make you happy…”

“No.” Tiny lines etch across her forehead. “I don’t… I don’t want to leave. I’ll stay. To help.”

She pats my leg for emphasis, cheeks going pink as soon as she notices her hand on my thigh. But before Chiara can pull her hand away, I cover it with mine. “Good. I’m glad that you’re staying.”

Wait. That doesn’t sound right. “I mean, not that you’re staying to help. I’m just glad you’re here.”

A tiny smile tugs at her lips. “You are?”

“Yes.” Though it’s unexpected, I hate the thought of Chiara leaving. “And I’ll talk to the others. I’ll make sure they understand. You only do what you want. And if there’s a problem, tell me and I’ll take care of it. I know I didn’t do a very good job before, but I’ll do better this time.”

I can’t quite decipher the look Chiara gives me. But her fingers twine between mine, lightly squeezing. And that tiny smile grows a bit bigger. “You’re doing okay, Gavril. And I’m glad you’re here, too.”

12

My Foolish Heart

CHIARA

Inexplicably, Gavril has become the brightest part of my day.

In the week I’ve been at his house in Manchester, most of my time is spent feeling anxious and worried. Worried about the reports of increasing violence against the Sentinels and their allies and the expanding presence of the Custodians. Worried that despite all the precautions we’ve taken, our enemies will end up finding me here, anyway.

I’m anxious that I’m not making enough of the imbued items, that they won’t be strong enough, and I’ve called myself weak more times than I can count for not offering to help sooner. I convinced myself that the healing talismans and occasional weapons I gave Frederick were plenty, but now that I understand the full extent of the danger, I know otherwise.

There are so many more Custodians than I realized. Dozens of them. Prowling all over the Northeast searching for vampires to use for their mission, abducting and torturing them, and killing any humans who get in their way.

And it’s not just the more powerful vampires—like Knight or Jules or me—who are being targeted. It’s anyone who isn’t allied with the Custodians. Isolated in my cabin in Maine, my only news filtered through Frederick, who knew I was struggling, I was willfully ignorant of the whole picture.

But now? Now I know, and I can’t stop feeling guilty.

And just two days ago, David narrowly escaped being taken, which really brought it home for me. David, who was a part of my rescue at the warehouse. David, who helped protect Cait while Nicolas was searching for her. David, who finally fell in love after two hundred years, and has plans to marry Raine once the battle with the Custodians is over.

If it could happen to David, who is so kind-hearted he lives on a farm so he can house rescue animals, it could happen to anyone.

Like Gavril. And that terrifies me the most.

As a Seer, he’s someone the Custodians would want. Nicolas would steal Gavril’s ability in a second. And even if Nicolas can’t get to Gavril, the Custodians will be trying to take him out.

Gavril’s the protector, the one at the front of every battle. He’ll plunge into the melee without hesitation, doing whatever it takes to protect everyone else. But what about him? So staid, so strong, so guarded—will anyone think of Gavril as needing protection?

It’s crazy. I would never have thought that I’d like spending time with him so much. That I’d look forward to seeing him each morning, cherishing the quiet time we spend in the kitchen together while we watch the sun rise. Or that I’d think about him every night, while I’m trying vainly to fall asleep, wishing Gavril was laying beside me.

Which is even crazier, because I closed myself off to that years ago. Not that I haven’t been with a man—every decade or so, I would try it—but I could never let my guard down enough for it to go any further than a night or two. But now… behind my closed eyes, I see silvery eyes flashing, a powerful jaw, lips curving up in a rare smile, a broad and muscular chest that felt too good when I was leaning against it.

Not that it’s going to happen. Gavril and I might be friends now, but I’m sure he’s not interested in more than that. He’s focused on his work with Sentinels, not pursuing something with me. And as if he’d even want to… I’m a total wreck, still afraid of my own shadow, and Gavril never does relationships.

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