Page 39 of Winterfall Destiny

I'm also surprised as we've seen nothing of Dorian. Following Ethan and Zeke's visit, I expected the hybrid to appear on our doorstep the same day. The next day, Tobias told Dorian that Andrei had ‘returned', which he apparently treated with nonchalance, informing Tobias he's not coming over because he's too busy searching for Gabriella in London. Dorian missing the opportunity to gloat that he was right and study what Andrei's become? For once in his life is he scared?

Then Dorian asked if we'd seen the First again and Tobias believes that's his reason for keeping away. Dorian left their conversation with, "I'm too busy for your shit."

Hmm. Not the reaction we expected and there's a reason.

Dorian apparently doesn't stay in London for long periods instead using his blood runes every day or two. The family prefer their protected estate in the countryside and don't join him, and Dorian's paranoia about their safety sees him split his time between London and home. He's convinced the First will screw around with his family now it's screwed up ours.

By early evening, I'm packed, ready, and impatient. Last time I saw Andrei, he stared out of a window, pouting at the rain, which amuses me because vampires aren't bothered about the cold and wet. Our new sun worshipper behaves as if bad weather's a personal insult to him. Ash teases Andrei that Ethan's right and that he'll get a tan, but Andrei remains hemia pale.

I've avoided speaking to Jamie about his thoughts on Blackwood magic since that day in the garden, foolishly hoping he might calm down, but the edge hasn't left him. At least Tobias's focus on Andrei distracts him from Jamie's energy.

Ready to leave, I wander around the house looking for the others. Jamie's sitting in the lounge room, laptop open, and I walk up behind, drape my arms around his neck and rest my head on his shoulder. He turns his face and kisses me, soft and brief.

"More research?" I ask, then frown. "That isn't your laptop."

"Declan's." He closes the lid. "Looking for more London connections."

"Right." I move the laptop from his knee and take its place, facing sideways to study him. "I spoke to Lex."

"About?" he asks suspiciously.

"The memories I saw." He strokes hair from my face. "I know what my mother looks like now—or in the future. I'm positive she's the blonde woman in the vision."

"A future you might change again," he reminds me.

I huff and lie back, head on the sofa arm. "Why can't I have visions anymore? We've tried, but since the academy... everything's blocked."

"Maybe the First is stopping you?" he suggests. "Besides, focusing on the mind control helps in the meantime."

"Mmm." I rub a hand down my face. "I've practiced that a little more with Tobias, but I worry because he's strong and can cut me off. Painfully."

"Have you tried using the shadows?" he asks quietly.

"Jamie," I warn.

"Shadows will help scramble the person's mind because they're harder to fight." My mouth parts at his nonchalance. "Just saying."

"I can not believe how far you've changed your mind about Blackwood magic, Jamie."

He regards me unblinkingly. "Ione."

I take a sharp breath. Does he mean the change of mind happened due to Ione's attack on him or ours on her?

"Lex won't teach me shadow magic and I can't use something that's uncontrolled." I sigh. "Let's change the subject."

"Fine. Have you tried controlling Andrei since he returned?" He runs fingers along my leg. "Because if you can, that would be a big step."

I swallow. I haven't attempted to touch his mind at all, although Tobias told me it's 'Andrei' in there—Andrei agreed that Tobias could look the other night in order to keep the peace. Something happened. I'm unsure what because although Tobias believes he isn't a danger, he's uneasy around Andrei.

Why won't I look inside his mind? Because I'm frightened I'll see someone I don't recognise.

"No. But I'm sure my mind control will work on less powerful supes. Andrei's the one with the biggest power against his mother."

"Do you think he'll be the one to kill her?" whispers Jamie.

Andrei won't hear—hopefully—because I sense he's no longer in the house and feel his new presence wandering around the woods in the rain.

He really does weird, non-Andrei things these days. I thought he hated the rain?

---