Page 17 of Hot Vampire Next Door: Season Five

I narrow my eyes. “You wouldn’t.”

“It’s for your own good.”

She knows how I feel about my real estate. It’s not nearly as important as Mouse, but certainly ranking nearly as high.

And the French chateau is my favorite. It’s the first estate I purchased after I was turned into a vampire.

It’s symbolic.

She hands me the phone and looks up, meeting my glowing gaze. “I’ll get you someone to bite. Then you’ll meet me on the front steps and you’ll utilize all of the tools you have at your disposal, even if it’s a fae who dumped you in the park.”

I close my eyes and suck in a long breath, trying to keep it all in control.

I am impatient. And I don’t like being told what to do. And I sure as hell don’t like being coerced.

But Jimmy will always be the exception.

Always.

“Fine,” I tell her. “No women,” I add. I refuse to drink from the veins of any woman other than my Mouse.

Fifteen minutes later, I’m satiated and feeling much better when Baspin emerges from the shadows surrounding Duval House. He’s wearing a simple blue tunic and black pants.

“Were you going to ignore me?” he asks, arms clasped behind his back as he comes to a stop in a pool of light from the lamp post.

“It’s been decades since you’ve been to the fae realm,” I answer. “What good would you do me now?”

Jimmy nudges me on the left. “Be nice.”

“No,” I tell her.

Behind us, the front door of Duval House opens and I recognize the cadence of my brother’s steps. I left him to feed on his second donor just a few minutes ago. His hunger seems to have no bottom. But I suppose I can’t blame him, having just woken up from a coma.

Baspin’s gaze tracks Damien as he crosses the front porch and comes down the steps to stand on my right.

“Damien Duval,” the fae says and smiles, gives a shallow bow. He knows what he’s doing. Even though the fae hold no allegiance to the vampires on this side, everyone in Midnight knows to show at least some respect to Damien Duval.

“You changed your mind?” Damien asks me, ignoring the fae.

“I made him,” Jimmy says from my left.

“She convinced me,” I correct, avoiding both of their gazes.

“What’s in it for you?” I ask Baspin. “Surely you have a price.”

“Of course I do.” He takes another step. All three of us are acutely aware of his every move, the outline of every one of his pockets, and the shadows that surround Duval House.

There are no other heartbeats hiding in the dark. It appears he’s come alone after all.

“I can help you get into the fae realm. I can help you locate Jessie. I can even help you infiltrate the Summer Court if need be, and I suspect the need will be. And in exchange for my help, I would like a title.”

Damien and I share a sidelong glance.

“What kind of title?” I ask.

“Lord of Winter Court.”

I snort. “Is this some kind of trick? The court no longer exists. How do you suggest we pay that price?”

---