Page 50 of Seduction in Blood
Devon's stomachwas in knots. A sensation he hadn't felt since the first time he'd stepped onto a battlefield. And certainly not something he should experience driving to his sanctuary, Oasis. He gave Cressa a side glance, curious as to what her first impression would be. He wasn't sure why it was important for her to like the house he built. Or maybe he did, but this wasn't the time to dwell on it. They had a long path before them. A dangerous game. He pushed all those thoughts aside and focused on this first step, schooling his emotions to present what he hoped was a bland expression.
Cressa leaned back in her seat, and her head lolled to one side as she stared out the window, obviously tired from little sleep. She hadn't asked any questions about their destination and had said little on the drive through a blend of green pastures and forest. Her call to Ginger must have gone well, or he would have heard about it. He wasn't sure how to handle a quiet Cressa. A reflective Cressa.
After several more miles of rolling hills, Devon turned into the driveway. When a rod-iron gate opened automatically, Cressa popped up.
"Where are we?" Cressa perched on the front seat, her head turning about to take it all in. Her brows were scrunched, but she was smiling, and her mixed emotions eased his tension.
Devon slowed as they dropped down the other side of the knoll. "This is Oasis." He hesitated a moment, keeping his eyes on the road. "My home."
Cressa gaped at him. "I thought the mansion was your home."
He gave her a half-shrug. "It's my ancestral home. I inherited it from my parents long ago, but I never felt comfortable there. I wanted something of my own." He glanced over at Cressa, her questioning gaze focused on him. "And the house is too dark for my tastes. It was added to the Historical Society registry before I took possession, and now there's not much I can do with it. It took five years and several compromises to gain approval for updating my office."
"That's why the room was so different from the rest of the house." Cressa's voice took on a reverent whisper as the car pulled in front of the main house. "This looks twice the size of the other house."
"The square footage is about the same, but with two floors rather than three. It also has a basement. I wanted a single residence that could fit my entire family if required. This main house isn't large enough for everyone, so I had the bungalows built, spreading them out to provide privacy."
"It's so sleek and…I don't know. Natural. It's a perfect fit with the setting. You had this built from scratch?"
"Yes. I spent years designing it."
She snorted. "Years doing this, decades doing that. No matter how much I learn about your world, I can't seem to wrap my head around how long vampires live."
"It takes some getting used to."
After handing his keys to the valet, Devon climbed the short steps to the front door with Cressa at his side.
Simone met them at the door. Her demeanor was cool as she kissed both his cheeks then held a hand out to Cressa.
Cressa didn't stare, but it was obvious she was intrigued by Simone. When she slid him a look, he wondered if she thought they were lovers. Would it matter to her?
"Simone runs Oasis and many of its businesses while I'm away," Devon explained.
She nodded. "Like your second in command."
For the first time he could recall, Simone gave Cressa a genuine smile. She'd never given humans more than slight nods of approval when they performed to her satisfaction.
"Yes." Simone's silky voice held a note of approval, and perhaps amusement. "Exactly like that. Welcome to Oasis."
Devon was thankful Sergi and Lucas hadn't heard the exchange, or he'd have to spend the entire day mediating everyone's insecurities about their position in the family. He turned when Lucas drove up and sighed with relief, knowing he'd dodged a bullet.
Once Lucas joined them, Devon led them into the foyer. "We won't get in your way, but I was hoping we might have lunch together. If you have time." Devon had called Simone before the drive, but it had been more of a last-minute thought.
She shot him one of those smiles that gave no hint of what she was truly thinking. "I've already given a menu to the chef. It's a beautiful day, so I thought the terrace would be a good choice. Shall we say two?"
"Perfect."
Simone gave them a nod then sauntered away. Her coral caftan suit floated around her as two other vampires joined her on their stroll down the hall. After a glance at Devon, Lucas followed.
Cressa turned in slow, wide circles as she took in the foyer, the grand staircase to the right, and the room beyond with its floor-to-ceiling windows. "This is amazing. How can you stand living at the mansion with a place like this?"
Devon pressed his lips together. "It's not easy."
She turned to him. "Then why don't you stay here?"
He gave her a tolerant smile. "It's a long story, but the short of it is that I have enemies. No one knows about this place. Its true ownership is buried under miles of subterfuge in county records and land transfers. It's a sanctuary. A safe place for my family to come whenever they need, whether they're on the run or simply require a place to reenergize."
"You can never live here?" She seemed appalled at the idea, and it matched his own feelings so well he had to look away.
