Page 47 of The Baritone's Rival

Yes. I…Oscar wasn’t sure if he should tell Freddie what had happened. But Elliott had seen Oscar slaughter two vampires. It would be common knowledge soon enough, and his master deserved to know.

It was the crimson surge.Freddie beat him to it, amusement trickling through the connection.

How—

I’m your Coven Master, Oscar. You can’t hide things from me mind-to-mind.

Oscar sighed, resigned and also a little embarrassed. He sheepishly dried his hands on an embroidered hand towel with a marigold design.

Trent is my mate.

I’m happy you finally said it.

Oscar shook his head. It didn’t fix anything. In fact, it made everything worse.

He hates vampires. He hates the concept of mates. I can’t tell him. How will he react? And obviously I have enough baggage to prevent a plane from taking off, considering I popped my ex-boyfriend’s eyeball out all of three hours ago.

Waves of calming energy washed over Oscar. This was the gift of the bond between vampire and coven master. When Freddie spoke, his tone was filled with compassion.

Don’t give up too easily, Oscar. Things change.

Oscar couldn’t think of a response to that, so he said nothing.

Lillian and I are coming to get you. Tend to Trent and stay safe until we get there.

Yes, Coven Master.

With that, Freddie’s presence was gone. Oscar did feel calmer. As much as Freddie could be broody and intimidating, he cared about his vampires. It was a big change from the old Azarian coven. Oscar still wasn’t fully used to it.

“Wha’ happened?”

Oscar’s gaze snapped to Trent. His eyes were closed, but he was beginning to stir. After a few hours of being unconscious, Trent’s blond mop stuck up wildly. Somehow, the bandage on his cheek didn’t take away from how handsome he was. Oscar was sure that a scar would make him even sexier, although he would rather that Trent had never been hurt at all.

“We were attacked.” Oscar stared at Trent warily. What would he remember?

“I know that!” Trent was fighting the grogginess, still recuperating from the fight. “That asshole vampire bit me. Just…how did we…?”

“I managed to fight them off. Elliott escaped, unfortunately.”

“Oh.” Trent sat up, rubbing at his face with his palms. “I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck.”

“You lost a lot of blood.”

Trent hummed under his breath. “I guess. What happened to…” He craned his neck around, taking in the whole cabin. His eyes widened at the bodies of the two dead vamps.

“Justin?” Oscar asked. “I don’t know. He didn’t help during the fight.”

Trent’s jaw tightened “We saw him go into his room.”

Oscar nodded. “We did. I’m not sure…I worry he’s been kidnapped.” He didn’t want to give more credence to Freddie’s conjecture.

“Or he ratted us out.” Trent’s face was stone. “If they didn’t follow us from the city, they had to have gotten our location from someone.”

Oscar blanched at Trent’s words. “I don’t want to believe he would do this. You nearly died.”

“I did. I’m only alive because…” Trent’s voice caught in his throat. Oscar flinched inwardly. Did Trent remember? Oscar hoped not. He didn’t know if his heart could take Trent’s rejection, especially after tending to his wounds and caring for him.

“You slaughtered them,” Trent continued. “I was fading out, but I saw that much. Your…your eyes were glowing red. The crimson surge. That’s what it was, wasn’t it?”

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