Page 54 of The Baritone's Rival

“The vampire world is small, and we keep track of each other.” Freddie’s voice was even and grounding. No wonder people followed him. “We have to be prepared when a coven turns to evil and has to be put down. Your old coven never got to that point, but it did come across my desk in London.”

“Oh.” Trent’s brows furrowed. “Was it that bad? I was new to the supernatural world. I assumed all covens were like that.”

“The word was that leadership was weak, and that the fight for power was brutal.”

Trent nodded, not saying anything. He’d spent most of his adult life trying not to think about his old coven.

“We were planning on sending someone if it got any worse.”

“It was bad enough,” Trent whispered, looking away from Freddie. “The jockeying for control was at all levels. The coven master ran it like his own mini-army, and everyone was obsessed with rank. They’d do anything just shy of killing off a covenmate to be promoted. Eventually, theydidstart killing. That’s when I left.”

“Because they murdered your stepfather.”

Trent’s gaze snapped to Freddie, who still didn’t look away from the road.

“You think I wouldn’t find out about your history? You were in my covenhouse, even if only for a few minutes. It’s my job to know.”

Trent shook his head. “I guess. Yes. When my stepfather died, and then…everything else happened…I got out.”

“Not all covens are like that, Trent,” Freddie said. “Some do their best to protect each other and lift each other up. My people do.”

“I suppose that’s possible, but…”

“You can trust Oscar, you know. He could have had his way with you whenever he liked. He could have forcibly changed your mind.”

Trent sat up straight. He’d forgotten about Oscar’s gifts.

“His powersareincredible.”

Freddie nodded. “Quite unusual. The power of mind control is one that usually manifests in older vampires. But even though he is young, he doesn’t abuse it. He’s a good person.”

“I think that’s true. But I also saw what happened to my mother. I don’t know if I can ever trust a vampire. Not all the way.”

They sat in silence for several minutes. The sky was clear blue above them, the clouds fluffy and white, as if Maine had given them a picturesque day as a parting gift. Finally, Trent broke the quiet.

“I know you’ll put some kind of surveillance on me when we get back to the city.”

Freddie grunted affirmatively. “We haven’t seen any sign of Elliott. I don’t trust him.”

“It’s fine,” Trent said. “I expected it. But…can you make sure it’s not Oscar? I…we need the time apart.”

“Not every mating ends in tragedy, you know.”

“I know that!” Trent stopped himself and breathed in and out, trying to calm his system. “I do. Really. I just…I need the time.”

Freddie cocked his head for a moment, taking in what Trent said. Finally, he spoke.

“I’ll have Lillian do it. She won’t have any problem keeping you safe. And she’s discreet.”

“Thank you. Tell Oscar…I’ll call him in a week.”

The first coupleof days back in the city were strange. The landlord had put in a new window, so Trent’s apartment wasn’t quite the mess he’d left it. Although he was on edge at first, there were no signs that he was being watched or followed, other than the occasional glimpse of Lillian. He attended his classes, but Oscar wasn’t there. Anthony gave him a piercing look when he first saw Trent, but Trent quickly calmed him down.

After he’d been back for three days, he had his first one-on-one lesson with Anthony. He arrived at the practice room early to run through his music with Julie.

“Where have you been?” she demanded after Trent walked through the door. Her hair was up in a tight bun, and her wire-framed glasses gave her the look of an imperious-but-still-glamorous schoolteacher.

“Family emergency.”

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