Page 48 of Seduction in Blood
Devon nodded. "We need to know what Underwood is searching for. Find out who his muscle is and see if there's a way in." He felt his fangs grow long when he smiled at Sergi. "Use whatever means you think necessary, but nothing that tracks back to us."
Sergi acknowledged Devon's smile with his own. "Happily."
Devon laughed. "It's been some time since we've found you a decent fight. Our mission is a long one, remember to pace yourself."
"Please." Sergi acted as if his feathers had been ruffled, but the man couldn't hold back the delight in knowing he had full rein to find answers. "What about her true father?"
Devon steepled his fingers and bounced them gently off his stubbled chin. This critical information would be the most difficult to unearth. "I doubt Cressa knows who he is, but it's a possibility." He studied Lucas. His bodyguard had been protective of Cressa, which only made sense with the amount of time he spent with her. Lucas was special in that way. He didn't have the baggage so many vampires had where humans were concerned. And it made him the perfect person in this regard.
"Lucas, see what you can find out. Test the waters, as safely as you can, with both Cressa and her friend, Ginger."
He nodded, almost in relief, and Devon suspected that had more to do with Sergi. The two of them were polar opposites, which made them the perfect team—good cop and bad cop.
"I want a report this evening." He turned back to the blinds. "I don't think Underwood will impact our current mission, but he needs to be removed from the playing field as quickly as possible. That's all."
Devon waited for his men to leave before he leaned back and rested his feet on the wide ledge that ran along the bay window. The expensive sculptures and antiques had been strategically placed to allow for his favorite thinking position. The light tap at the door surprised him, and he wondered if Cressa returned. He smiled at the thought. "Come in."
He glanced over his shoulder, surprised to find Lucas there. He sighed. "What is it?"
"I wanted to ask about the search for Cressa's true father."
"You're right. You should be told what Sergi and Simone now know." When he saw the hurt in Lucas's gaze, he waved for him to pull up a chair. Lucas complied, and he placed his feet on the ledge as Devon touched a button to raise the blinds, revealing the landscape lights glowing in the early morning darkness. Farther in the yard, another light swayed in slow arcs before stopping at the sycamore tree.
"She's up again," Lucas stated for no particular reason. "She's been more active lately."
"I've been having dreams. Cressa is in them. I believe she's creating them, most likely without knowing. At least that's the feeling I get."
"Ah. Now it makes sense."
They sat in companionable silence. Within the closest circles of his family, each vampire had a different preference on how to spend time with him. Sergi preferred a good scotch in front of the fire. Lucas enjoyed the daytime and viewing nature as Devon did. Simone preferred her private meetings accompanied by an intimate dinner with good wine. He grinned. The burdens of running a House and keeping his family happy.
"I don't know if Cressa is a key to helping Lyra, but the turmoil she had as a child in Underwood's home tracks with what I've pieced together over the years. People with her type of talent first become aware of it as small children. But without training, the dreams could seem like nightmares. I have to believe her mother knows the truth, possibly at a subconscious level."
"That's a difficult proposition, especially with Underwood in the way."
"So, let's find out if Cressa ever tried to find her real father. But she can't know our interest. Not yet."
Lucas shifted uncomfortably.
"It's not only because I don't believe she's ready. This is a delicate time, and we must stay focused on the mission. Right now, she believes her dreams are nothing more than that. I have reason to think they're more than reality."
"You believe them to be premonitions?" Lucas couldn't hide his awe.
"Maybe." How else would Cressa know about the garden? Or was she capable of seeing into his mind? That was an interesting thought. "If they are premonitions and word gets out, her life would be in constant danger. And that, I won't allow."
ChapterTwenty-Three
I woke latethe following morning. Not surprising after the long nightclubbing, a house invasion, and an office visit with Devon. Having survived the evening, I'd slept hard with no dreams or cares. But once awake, worries about Christopher cast shadows on the sunshine bathing the room in golden colors. I hurried to dress, hoping it wasn't too late to grab breakfast.
As I scurried down the stairs, I was surprised to hear voices coming from the dining room. I slowed, not sure what to expect, but found the usual suspects, Lucas and Anna, along with Sergi. This was the first time the aloof vampire had shared a meal with us. I wasn't sure why he joined us now, other than he'd also been here until the wee hours of the morning, though I doubted that was a problem for a vamp.
Conversation stopped when I entered.
"Cressa. We thought you'd sleep in longer. We didn't wake you, did we?" Lucas stood and pulled out a chair for me.
"Doubtful. I slept like the dead. I'm as surprised as you that I'm up, but I feel rested." I glanced at Sergi, who stuffed an omelet in his mouth, registering my existence with a slight nod in my direction. At least it wasn't a glare. Progress.
"I must have been dead to the world as well. I didn't hear any of you." Anna sat back, a large mug held in both hands, half of her breakfast uneaten. When she noticed me glance at her plate, she blushed. "I shouldn't have eaten anything; this is my second breakfast. I was up at my normal hour and couldn't wait for everyone else." She pushed her plate away as Cook hustled through the door, placing new platters down.
