Page 22 of Visions in Blood
His eyes glittered.“I’m not the one that collapsed during it.This is about you.”
Collapsed?I closed my eyes and focused on the dream.I’d raced to him, and he’d immediately pulled me into his arms.I touched my lips where his kiss had scorched me with his unbridled longing.
No.That wasn’t what happened.
I’d been the aggressor, filled with a deep, unsatiated desire.The hunger had raged through me until I’d lost control.My cheeks heated as I reached for my neck.
“I was wearing the necklace.You ripped it off me.”I didn’t know whether I should be irritated or forever grateful.
“You didn’t seem yourself.”He didn’t sound apologetic, and not having time to fully piece together the dream, I couldn’t argue with him.
I had the funny feeling that once I had time to dissect the memory, I’d come to the same conclusion.
A tap sounded at the door.
“Come.”Devon stood as Lucas entered the room with a tray.
I smelled the coffee before he breached the doorway and almost salivated.
“Cook wasn’t sure if you’d would be ready to eat but insisted on sending something up.”Lucas set down the tray and smiled at me.“Too soon for coffee?”
“Never.”I gave him an impish grin then gave Devon a larger smile.“The headache is almost gone.”
“Excellent.Why don’t you eat something and chat with Lucas.I need to take care of a few things, but I’ll be back soon.”
No doubt to push me for answers.“I’ll be ready for my afternoon sessions.”
“You’re on bed rest for the remainder of the day.You can move about your room and regain your strength, but no farther.”When I began to protest, he held up a hand.“The healer’s orders, and we follow those to the letter in this house.”
“Yes, Dad.”I pouted, but both vamps just smiled in that patronizing way they had.
Devon stepped next to the bed.“Try to behave for one day.I’ll be back in a couple of hours, and we can finish our talk.”He kissed the top of my head before whispering in my ear, “You scared me half to death.Please do this one thing for me.”
When he stepped back, it was easy to read his expression.Whatever happened in the dream had frightened him.And if it alarmed Devon Trelane, it should terrify me.
Devon enteredhis office thirty minutes later, showered and dressed in chinos and a tailored shirt.Sergi relaxed in front of the desk, studying his tablet.
“Is she all right?”Sergi asked, never taking his gaze from the tablet.
“I think so.I’ll speak with her more after she’s had a chance to pull her thoughts together.”Devon collapsed in his chair and opened the blinds, allowing the afternoon sun to filter through the room.He needed blood and sleep.“Your report is overdue.”
“I found something that took me out of town.”
“Something worth the trip?”
“I believe so.I forwarded you the file.”
Devon searched his tablet and found the document.“Give me the highlights.”Excitement revived him, but he reined it in.He’d found promising leads before that had gone nowhere.
“I went back to the apartment where Willa Langtry lived when Cressa was born.We know from my earlier reports that most of the neighbors had moved away, but this time, I went door to door on all five floors.I found an old man who lives on the top floor now, but he’d lived down the hall from Willa back then.He didn’t know her other than to say hello, though he admitted he’d had an interest in her, but she was already in a serious relationship.He mentioned a woman who lived across from her.They weren’t best friends, but they did spend some time together, or so the old man claims.”
“Wasn’t this woman in your last report?”Devon’s temper was rising, but he pushed it back.His impatience was a sign of low blood levels, and Sergi wouldn’t be backtracking over old information unless he was leading up to something.He glanced at his watch.Simone should have been here by now with his blood source.
“Yes.I had four names I’ve been tracking down from that time period.The woman living in the apartment across from Willa is Veronica LeFay, originally from New Orleans.And that’s where I found her, though she’s married now.I prefer doing this in person, but she was willing to talk over the phone and remembered Willa quite well.It’s like the old man said.They spoke in the hallway mostly, occasionally shared a cup of coffee, until they both got pregnant at the same time.”
“She remembers Cressa’s father?”
Sergi nodded.“And then some.She couldn’t stop talking about the man and gave me a decent description, but nothing that stands out as being unusual.In fact, the man seems to be an average sort except for her comment…” He scrolled through his report until he found the passage he was looking for and shared it with his drollest tone.“He was a looker.And he had an aura of sensuality that made a woman’s panties wet.”
