Page 40 of Princess Avenged

She shakes her head. “That is not what I said. What I meant is that Phil coming to the palace would add complications. For example, there is no need for my father, or The Vampiric Council, to know anything about this…this situation. Not yet. It is much better if we come to you.”

Phil’s chin snaps back like he’s been punched. Then he shakes his head. “Too dangerous. Ana. My love…” His normally strong voice trails off.

“Security has been heightened at DEFTA,” Zuben says. “After what happened with Diederik…” He turns toward Phil. “Frankly. I do not think I can protect Phil inside this building much longer. If the executive team find out that the demon?—”

“Then leave DEFTA,” Ana interrupts. “Immediately. Where shall we meet? Freetown?”

“No,” Phil says. “We can’t expose the other residents more than we already have.”

“I have an idea,” Ember says, then she turns toward Zuben. “Do you think Axe would mind?”

“That is an excellent idea.” A smile brushes over Zuben’s chiseled features.

“What’s the idea?” I ask, feeling a bit exasperated at how many chunks of this conversation have been flying over my head. Ana, Ember and Zuben know things we don’t. And clearly Zuben and Ember are so synched as a couple they can read each other’s minds.

“You are welcome to stay at our new home,” Ember says. “All of you.”

Ana tips her head to the side. “Do you mean Ryker’s condominium apartment on Rittenhouse Square?” Her dissatisfaction with this idea is clear.

“No,” Ember says. “Axe and Ryker have been building us a home in the wilderness. Well, they’re not building it from scratch. Ryker bought a large cabin. He bought an entire island in fact. It’s very remote, on a lake in Northern Ontario. And Axe and Ryker have been working to make it vampire friendly and comfortable for our family.”

“Vampire friendly?” I ask. “You mean protective glass?”

She nods.

“But—” Ana stops herself. “You installed sun-proof glass?”

“We have.” Zuben and Ember exchange looks. “My research on the longevity of lambent…” He stops himself, as if he accidentally revealed something. “We are planning for the future. And to have guests, of course.”

Again, I have no freaking idea what they’re talking about, but clearly Ana, Zuben and Ember are trying to avoid explaining to the rest of us something the three of them understand.

“That’s a generous offer,” Ana says. “Are you sure we wouldn’t be intruding?”

“Not at all.” Ana smiles. “We have lots of room and would love to have you. We even have an amphibious plane that can get you safely there.”

“We should go too,” Zuben says to Ana. “Blade and I need to continue our research. Plus, you and Ana should discuss strategies for approaching the Council of Magic Keepers.”

Phil grabs his head with both hands.

“Phil.” I ask. “What’s wrong?”

Dropping his hands, he shakes his head. “This is too fucking dangerous. This thing. This thing is in my head. The horrific things it wants me to do…”

Crusher steps forward. “Phil, you would never hurt her. And if you try, the rest of us will be there to stop you.”

“We should get Phil out of DEFTA.” Zuben turns toward Ember.

“I’ll be in touch to coordinate the travel details,” Ember says to Ana. “I can’t wait to see you.”

Ana smiles. “Thank you again.”

“This is nothing compared to everything you did for me,” Ember says. Then Zuben reaches forward, and the screen goes blank.

I’m curious to learn more about what Ana did for Ember. But realize she’s shaking and pale.

“Are you okay?” I cup her face again, tipping her gaze toward mine. “Holy shit. When was the last time you had human blood?”

Her eyes flutter, her eyelashes brushing over her pale skin, and it’s all I can do to keep from bending to kiss her.

---