Page 34 of Addicted in Blood
“Why?”
“Hiram was beyond distressed.If Venizi had the slightest concern that Hiram knew something he shouldn’t, what better vampire to send a message than one of his closest business associates.”
Simone let Noah talk for another thirty minutes, mostly reminiscing about the common interests he shared with his brother.She listened.Mostly because some of them were interesting and even humorous, and Noah seemed to need it.And the talent to soothe and comfort were common traits among the best House leaders.The skill didn’t come easy to her, yet Devon believed in her and gave her the time and space to hone the ability.
When she was back in the car, she called Lucas.
“Was the meeting useful?”Ginger was speaking with someone in the background, and her voice became distant as Lucas found a quiet spot to talk.
“I have a name I want you to run down.Boris Gheata.And send it to Sergi in case he knows of him.He seems to be a business associate of Venizi’s.”
“Hmm.I haven’t heard the name before, but we’ll check it out.”
“One more thing.Noah says he won’t be leaving his condo for the next week.The building seems to be exclusive to vampires, and there’s a security person stationed on his floor.I’d like one of ours to watch.”
“I’ll take care of it.Are you on your way back?”
“I need to run out to Oasis.Any word on Devon?”
“Decker said the move went as planned.He’ll keep watch.”
“And Lyra?”
“She’s in her room, but she’ll be down for lunch.”
When Simone hung up, she leaned back in her seat.She wasn’t sure what to make of Lyra and wished Sergi was there to give her guidance.For now, she was grateful Lyra had been at each meal and appeared stable.But the number of hours she spent in her room and her mention of voices made Simone’s skin itch.Lyra’s renaissance seemed too quick.
Sergi and Cressa would be back in a couple of days.With any luck, Lyra would be fine until then.She closed her eyes and considered her options.She chuckled.If she hadn’t come to know Cressa as well as she had, the thought would never have occurred to her.Maybe a human was the answer she sought, and her laughter increased as she pulled out of the parking space.Who better to deal with Lyra than Ginger?
ChapterEighteen
I glancedaround the hotel room as Sergi pushed the door open and entered.
He picked up my bag and followed my gaze.“It appears you have everything.”He held out his hand.My necklace laid in his palm.“I hope when I pick you up in three days, this will lie safely around your neck.”
I gingerly picked it up, still nervous about its powers.“I just want to stop being terrified of it.”
“No one likes to be out of control.Some of us more than others.It’s something you and I have in common.In fact, you have it in common with all the cadre.”
I slipped the necklace in my back pocket and rummaged through my backpack, not looking for anything, but not wanting Sergi see me tear up.
“We have another thing in common.”I swung the pack over my shoulder.When he gave me that raised brow look, I gave him my sincerest promise.“I will find something that can help save Devon, or all of this was for nothing.”I pushed past him and didn’t say another word as he followed me through the hotel to the revolving doors and out to the valet area.
Colantha’s pet vamp was standing at the front corner of the limo.Sergi walked to the trunk where the driver waited to take my bag.Then he stepped next to me, his head close to mine to keep his words private.
“Three days.I will be waiting here for you.You have your cell and my number.Call if you need me.I’ll text with any updates, but your focus is to learn as much as possible.Keep your eyes and ears open.You can learn much by your surroundings and other people, not just with the instruction.You know this.”
I nodded.It was one of the sole reasons I was so good as a thief.“Don’t worry.I understand the stakes.”
He nodded, gave the vamp a wicked stare, and when he glared at the back passenger window, I could swear he could see through the dark-tinted glass.Then he turned and walked back to the hotel without a backward glance.
The vamp opened the back door, and I slid in, placing my backpack at my feet.Colantha sat in her jump seat, her fingers tapping a glass of orange juice.“Would you like one?”
I shrugged.“Sure.I didn’t eat much this morning.”I drank mug after mug of coffee but barely managed to swallow a piece of toast.I wasn’t sure if I was excited or terrified and decided it was a two-for-one emotion.
The evening before, or more correctly, way early this morning, I’d collapsed into bed exhausted, assuming I’d sleep until the sun woke me, but after two solid hours of deep sleep, I tossed the rest of the night.I was up before the sun lightened the sky, waited a half hour after my shower for room service to open, then sat the table, staring out the window at nothing until the clock slowly ticked its way to nine.
The vamp, who sat in other jump seat as before, pulled a small pitcher from the compact fridge and poured a glass.I took it and noted with some relief that he poured more juice into Colantha’s glass.At least we were drinking the same thing.The juice was refreshing, and I drank it all in a few gulps.I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand like an uncouth street urchin.“Sorry.”
