Page 34 of Kiss the Dawn
“Huh?”
The corners of his mouth tightened. “Are you all right to go with Frederick?”
“It isn’t a choice,” Daphne said curtly. “This is how it will be. You don’t make the rules here, Mr. Crescent.”
He slow-blinked and turned to face her, and when he spoke, his voice was colder and more cutting than hers, making it clear that he wasn’t about to be cowed by her. “Miss Lighthart is in my care, and it’s my duty to ensure that she both is safe andfeelssafe.”
“I promise she’ll be safe with me,” Frederick said. “We have much to talk about.”
I couldn’t help but return his smile. “I’ll be fine, Lorenzo.”
“Very well,” Lorenzo said to Daphne. “Let’s get started.”
The hallwaybeyond the door was also windowless but had an exit at each end.
“I’ll find you later,” Lorenzo said.
He followed Daphne through the right-hand exit, and Frederick led me to the opposite one.
A prickle skimmed over me as I passed through, and everything went dark for a moment. When my vision returned, we were in a large sitting room and dining space. The furniture was all dark wood, and the rugs were crimson. A chandelier hung above fitted with light bulbs, but once again, the ceiling was hidden behind beams, as if someone had forgotten to hide the framework of this building.
And there was a window, thank goodness.
I crossed to it quickly, eager for the view, to find it obscured by thick fog.
“I’m sorry,” Frederick said. “The Loop is shrouded in wards and fog to prevent outsiders collating data about our Isle. There are powerful relics and artifacts held here.”
“I thought this Isle was dangerous, so why would you keep powerful artifacts here with this virus running rampant?”
“Yes, the virus is dangerous, but we keep it in check, just as we protect the power inside the artifacts to ensure that they don’t fall into the wrong hands. This is the safest place for them.”
“But I won’t get to see any of it?” I couldn’t help butfeel put out. “I was born here. Doesn’t that mean something?”
“It could, if you decide to come live here once your duty to Dracul is done.”
“Come live here so I can complete another duty?” I didn’t bother to mask my bitterness, and he flinched before exhaling heavily.
“I suppose it is exhausting to have so many depend on you to save them.”
I found the nearest seat—an armchair with puffy cushioned seating and velvet-soft armrests—and sank into it. “I try not to think too hard about it. It’s fine. I’m here, and we’ll find a way to pass this ancient blessing to Eliza.”
“You truly believe that your mageri escort will find a loophole in the contract?”
“If there’s a weakness, he’ll find it.” I had to remain confident. Had to have faith. “So…grandfather, right?” I offered him a tentative smile, and his eyes lit up.
He took the seat opposite me. “Yes, I’m your grandfather, and I was delighted to hear that you’d been found. That you were safe, and your mother…Well, she would have been here to greet you, but she’s sick. Nothing serious,” he added quickly, “but enough to make the journey here difficult. But two of your sisters will be joining us for lunch.” He glanced at his watch. “In the next half hour.”
“Just two?”
“Not everyone is as understanding of the reasoning behind your reluctance to embrace your destiny.”
“Don’t you mean fate?”
He winced. “I suppose, having been raised outside of the Isle, you would have that impression. But being able to pass the gift of immunity to more people is a blessing. It’s a calling. Itisa destiny.”
Maybe he was right. Maybe I’d see things differently if I’d been raised here, which led me to wonder what kind of woman I’d be. I pushed away the redundant thoughts. I was proud of who I was. Of the woman I’d become.
“What about my father?”
