Page 52 of Visions in Blood
The alpha hadn’t wasted any time contacting Sergi.It made sense, especially after the dream.Shifters, as well as unsuspecting humans, would be the first victims of a vampire’s inability to control their beast.
“One of Decker’s fighters was dosed with Magic Poppy.”
Sergi’s normally blank expression went rigid.His rugged face, clenched jaw, and steely gaze made men who faced him on the battlefield want to run home to their mommies.He had to admit, it scared him at times.
Devon filled him in on what Decker and Elijah had shared.“I want to keep this investigation close.No one else in the House is to be told.Work quietly with the shifters.”
Sergi’s brow raised.“Not even the inner circle?”
He sighed.He’d struggled with the decision on the drive home from the meeting.A major threat lurked among the vampires.A certain threat to his family, considering his past addiction.Yet, his decisions should be based on facts and not his own insecurities.After all this time, it was incredibly difficult.More than he’d ever imagined it would be.He’d been lucky to come back from that hell and still run a loyal House.Of course, it had been more than luck, and certainly more than just him that had built this House.In the end, his family would turn to him for their security and protection, and they would require more than just faith in his ability to provide it.
If he pushed aside his own apprehension over his earlier entanglement with the Poppy, what did that leave?One known case at a fight club and rumors from Los Angeles.He needed more before putting his family on alert.
“One week.I need facts not innuendo.”
“You want me to go down there?”
“I don’t see any other way.If these infected vampires belong to a House, they’re keeping it quiet for obvious reasons.If there’s something more going on in those Houses, they won’t share it willingly.My gut says rogue vampires are being selected.”
“It would be my first thought.”
“If it is some type of experiment, the perpetrator would be foolish to involve more than one House.The last thing they’d want is a multi-House investigation, which the Council would get wind of.If it’s some form of retribution against a particular House, then it should be easy enough to track down.”He met Sergi’s gaze with a harder one of this own.“You’re not being sent to solve this.I don’t want you taking any chances by getting in their way.Observation only.”
When Sergi held his gaze and didn’t respond, Devon leaned over the desk.“We have enough on our plate without this, but I need to know if this is widespread or contained.Perhaps Decker’s vampire was a fluke, or he has some tie with the southern Houses.Once I know the level of threat, I can advise the family accordingly, then we can get on with our most pressing business.”
Sergi relaxed his shoulders and nodded, but the grimace on his face said he was less than pleased.“Do you want pictures?”
He shook his head.“No.Your word is sufficient.”He didn’t think the trust he placed in Sergi was enough to assuage his displeasure, but this wasn’t the first time he’d kept critical information from the rest of the cadre.The fact this information involved Magic Poppy might make his inner circle feel betrayed by his silence, but how could he expect others to let go of the past before he did?
When Sergi moved to the door with his usual stride, Devon stopped him.“Only stay as long as you need.Be careful.”
His security specialist only nodded before closing the door behind him.
Devon turned his chair to face the window.The one question no one mentioned ate at him.Why reintroduce Magic Poppy into the vampire population now?He didn’t believe in coincidences.Was someone luring him out?And if so, was it Lorenzo, or had someone else just entered the game?
ChapterNineteen
Steam filledthe room and covered the mirror with tiny beads of moisture.The droplets bent beneath the force of the hot wind before finally breaking up to dissipate into the air.
I shut off the blow-dryer and blinked.
I was so frickin’ bored, I was studying steam like a first-year science student.
Two days had passed since the dream incident.Devon hadn’t mentioned it again, and I had no desire to relive that nightmare, but we’d have to talk about it eventually.I glanced up, still convinced someone lived in that room above me.
I’d spent the last two evenings staring out my bedroom window, searching for the dark-clad woman who visited the graves.I wouldn’t be able to see her face, but it would be nice to confirm if it was the same woman who returned or whether various people stopped by in the middle of the night to pay their respects.While that might seem unusual, I was living among vamps.Regardless of their ability to walk about in the sun, night was kind of their thing.
Here I was, making up stories in my head to fill the gaps of who I was and what my dreams meant.But Devon’s mission came first, as Lucas and Sergi continued to remind me.I stared at my reflection and ran my fingers through my dry-enough hair, but I was just stalling the inevitable.
When I’d finished my training with Sergi, he’d told me to clean up for a meeting with Devon, and as usual, gave no further explanation.That never failed to carry an ominous tone.I grabbed my jeans and sweater, rebellious enough to irritate him for no particular reason, before common sense took hold.Simone’s words echoed like a harpy to play my role.So, I tossed the jeans and sweater onto the bed and selected black leggings, a long fleece shirt, and low-heeled shoes—all appropriate for a Blood Ward.
I was on my way to Devon’s office when I heard laughter coming from the library.When I poked my head in, my suspicions—based on one particular squeal—were confirmed.Lucas and Ginger sat across from each other at a small game table, a map spread out between them.
“Hey, I didn’t know you were here.”I strode in, my curiosity on high alert to check out the map.
“I wanted to tell you I was here, but Lucas said you were freshening up from training, as if that’s a valid excuse not to drop in.Like, how many times have we had discussions with one of us in the shower and the other on the toilet.”
“Stop.”Lucas appeared horrified, holding his hands against his ears as if that would stop him from hearing anything.
