Page 19 of Bound By Blood

“You are comfortable there?”

“Of course. The cabin is wonderful, the view is terrific. I was going to go back to my apartment in L.A., but I’m thinking of staying here indefinitely.”

“I see.”

“What do you see?”

“Your mother is listening. She thinks there must be a man involved.”

Kaitlyn grinned. She had never been able to put one past her parents. “As a matter of fact, there is. But I just met him, so don’t go making any wedding plans yet.”

Her father growled on the other end of the line.

“I’m kidding, Dad.” Even though her father had lifted the ban forbidding their people to marry mortals, she knew he hoped she would marry one of the Romanian vampires.

“Kaitlyn, are you still there?”

“What? Oh, yes.” She chewed on her lower lip as she pondered the best way to ask the question that had been niggling at her since last night. “I was wondering—is there a way for me to tell if a man is one of us?”

“You think this man you are seeing is a vampire?”

“I don’t know. But last night, I would have sworn I felt a surge of preternatural power coming from him.” Her father had the ability to detect those of his own kind when they were near; unfortunately, she hadn’t inherited that power.

“Explain.”

She quickly told her father about the events at the casino the night before.

“What is this man’s name?”

“Zackary Ravenscroft. Have you ever heard of him?”

“No. If he was of our blood, I would know it.”

“Maybe I just imagined it,” Kaitlyn murmured. But she didn’t believe that for a second.

“Perhaps. Your mother wishes to say hello. Take care of yourself.”

“I will. Love you, Dad.”

“I love you, too.”

Kaitlyn heard muffled whispers and then her mom’s voice came over the line.

“Kaitlyn, how are you, sweetie?”

“I’m fine, Mom, really. I love it here. I wish you and Dad could have stayed longer.”

“Me, too, but I guess we’re stuck here at the Fortress for a while until your father gets to the bottom of these rumors.”

“You don’t think one of the other vampires is planning a coup, do you?”

“I hope not. I was here for the last one, and believe me, it wasn’t a pretty sight. Your grandmother sends her love.”

Kaitlyn grinned. Her grandmother, Liliana, wasn’t fond of telephones and refused to use them.

“Listen, sweetie, I’ve got to go. Call if you need anything.”

“I will.”

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