Page 14 of Tainted Blood

“I wasn’t going to have you driving up. You and Everly already took one road trip this year, and I didn’t think anyone wanted to have a repeat of that event.”

“Funny,” I mumbled, giving him an annoyed look.

“We’re in my neck of the woods right now, so whatever liberties Alexius lets you take end here,” he said, his smile turning sharp as he leaned down to be eye level with me. His expression quickly softened, though, then he looked up to Alexius as he straightened as if nothing had happened. I could only hope no one noticed that his sudden shift scared me.

“Now, let’s get away from these guys and talk while we wait for the vehicles.” Isaiah lifted a hand, directing Alexius and me to move away from the group. He walked on the other side of Alexius, and I used that to try to shake my nerves.

“I heard you,” Alexius said once we were fifty or so feet from the group.

“I’m glad. Everly, when we’re in private, talk to me however you like. In front of them, I have to keep the boundaries established.”

“I understand.” I could tell I sounded off the moment I croaked those words. Alexius and Isaiah both turned on me. Alexius was frowning, but it was Isaiah that surprised me. I would have bet money that something about my reaction made him feel bad.

“I’d never hurt you unless you tried to hurt me or Alexius,” Isaiah said quickly. “I just need to—”

“Make sure the others don’t start becoming familiar or taking those liberties,” Alexius finished. “He didn’t mean anything by it other than that. I see Marcus isn’t here, though. If you had brought him, you wouldn’t have needed the rest of them, and this wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Marcus is still busy with preparations,” Isaiah said simply. “He won’t be allowed to attend, so he must finish his work, then head back to the city.” Without me needing to ask, Isaiah looked down at me and explained. “Marcus is the second vampire I sired. Sixteen hundred years old or so. Loyal. He’s been my second in command since the day he rose as an immortal. He’s the third oldest of my bloodline, not including myself.”

With a frown, I tried to figure out why the math seemed wrong there, and it only took a second for me to realize I was certainly missing something.

“Second vampire you sired, but third oldest. Did your first Turn someone, too?”

“He did, and he died for it,” Isaiah confirmed, nodding.

“It’s not a pleasant story,” Alexius said, cutting in quickly, shaking his head at me, a clear sign not to pry. I didn’t need to pry, though. Isaiah just kept talking.

“I raised him, sired him to this life, then he went and sired a poor young woman against her will as a toy to play with. She’s the oldest in my bloodline. I killed him for what he did and trained her properly. Good for me, too. She’s a charm, my Imani. Sadly, without the excuse to call her to help you, she’s not allowed to attend either, so I won’t be seeing her.”

There was something about the way he talked about her that seemed contradictory to what I always heard about him. Alexius, Corban, and Isaiah had been clear that Isaiah never tried to parent those of his bloodline. Knowing that, it only made his obvious affection for Imani stranger.

“Imani would do circles around half of the vampires planning to attend,” Alexius mumbled.

“She would, and it would be glorious. She excels at practically everything I put before her. She only has one definitive weakness, and that is a certain person who gets under her skin. Not an enemy, but they aren’t friendly with each other, that much I know. I wouldn’t be friendly either if I were in her shoes, but I have to be above the petty squabbles of different rulers in the same city. Being on the Tribunal, I have to aim higher and more carefully.” Isaiah gave a dramatic sigh.

“Well, enough talk about Imani. Let’s rejoin the others. One of them has blood for you, Everly, if you need it.” He gestured for us to follow him. Alexius stayed close to me, subtly following me every time I shifted my weight and moved around impatiently. I wasn’t hungry, so I declined the thermos of blood held out to me.

“I fed before we left for the airport. I should be fine for several more hours,” I explained. “Any idea when our rides will get here?”

“They’re here.” Isaiah pointed into the dark, and I saw the lights peeking through the trees not too far away. “Well, over there in the parking lot. I wanted to stretch my legs and greet you when you got off the plane.”

“Stay with me until we get to our private rooms,” Alexius ordered me softly. I nodded. I had no intention of going off alone with so many strangers around.

7

The “country home” Isaiah had mentioned for this gathering was more of an opulent estate, which felt familiar as we drove through the gates. Expansive grounds surrounded a mansion tucked deeper into the isolated property, which many probably drove right by without noticing it was there. I took note of how Isaiah did it, seeing the same things I saw Jacob had done to protect his own nest.

“How much land do you own?” Curious, I looked over everything as we drove.

“Eight acres. Much of it I keep wild, using it as a buffer for others to stay out there and not jump the fence,” Isaiah explained.

“I was wondering if you left the forest the way it was for that. You wouldn’t want neighbors being able to look over your fence.”

“Exactly. Only about two acres of the property are cleaned up and kept nice looking by the groundskeeper and gardener. They have support staff to help with that.”

The winding driveway to the house led us past a pond, and across it, I saw the mansion itself. It was magnificent in an opulent-display-of-wealth sort of way.

“Is the pond natural or artificial for security?”

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