Page 29 of Hot Vampire Next Door: Season Four

“Bran,” Tabitha says in a tone of voice that is not surprised and, dare I say, expecting? “It’s nice to see you out so close to dawn. It changes your sunny disposition.” She smiles with closed lips.

The Alpha and I break away from one another and circle the room, boxing the witches in. It’s a dangerous move, but one of strategy if we play our cards right.

Tabitha clasps her hands in front of her. She’s wearing all black to match the mood of her House. All black save for a bright yellow garnet that hangs from a silver chain around her neck.

“Won’t you have a seat?” Tabitha gestures at the sitting area around a cold fireplace.

“Were you expecting us?” I ask.

I don’t like beating around bushes. Or threats.

“Of course.”

I catch the Alpha scenting the air, looking for traps. He gives me a quick shake of his head.

Nothing.

“We prefer to stand,” I tell her.

“Very well.”

“You know why I’ve come,” I say.

Tabitha takes a breath, lifting her chin just slightly so she can regard me from the broad slant of her nose. “Julian Locke was blinded by greed and desperation. Our goals were a bit loftier, but there was some overlap.”

This isn’t going the way I thought it would and I’m not sure if I like it.

“And you decided to use my brother as a pawn?”

“Wouldn’t you do the same if you saw the opportunity?”

“Would I use Damian as a pawn? Only a fool would.”

“Fair enough. But the ship has already left the harbor and now we need to find a solution if you want to get it back.”

“Is my brother the ship in this analogy?”

Tabitha smirks. “I suppose he is.”

“He’d hate that.”

“I know.”

“Go on.”

“When Julian came to me, all he wanted was Jessie. He didn’t think beyond that. He knew that Jessie equaled power, and power was what he wanted. He thought that was what I wanted too. He never bothered to ask though.”

I come around a wingback chair, keeping my eyes on the other witches flanking Tabitha like guards. All of them have their hands clasped in front of them—a clear sign of respect for those in the room who are not witches.

What an odd morning this is turning out to be.

“I knew that when Julian decided to use Kelly in his revenge plot, that Damien would do everything in his power to protect her. And I knew you would do everything in your power to protect him.”

She's right, of course. But I’m not going to admit to my weaknesses, even if everyone knows of them.

“So it stood to reason that I could use both Kelly and Damien as leverage,” Tabitha goes on. “It’s no mistake that they are alive but unconscious. Dead men hold no value.”

The anger that ignites in my chest has my heart thumping hard against my ears.

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