Page 84 of Addicted in Blood
“Lucas called.Lyra’s scheduled a meeting.A car will be here in an hour.”
“Did he say anything else?”
She shook her head.“Nothing.He wouldn’t even joke with me.”
That didn’t bode well.
When I was finished with my morning rituals, Ginger followed me back out to the bedroom and dropped onto the edge of the bed.
“About last night.”She rubbed her head.“I’m sorry I was scared about the dreamwalking.”
I threw on some sweats and moved to the kitchen, where half a pot of coffee was warming for me.
After I’d dropped into her arms last night, sad, miserable, and unsure of my future, Ginger had wrapped me in a fluffy robe, fed me hot chocolate and a scone, then made me tell her all about New Orleans.With all the urgency around Devon, I’d never had a chance to share what I’d learned about dreamwalkers.
I gave her a blow-by-blow description of the entire trip—the private jet, the Renaud library, the clubs, and three days with Colantha, describing each dreamwalking attempt as best as I could.For some crazy reason, I asked if she wanted to give it a try.She wanted to be supportive, but her enthusiasm for my new skill drained away at the suggestion, and she tucked her knees to her chest.
At first, I was disappointed that maybe she agreed with Devon and the cadre about my interference and the resulting damage it created.Then I remembered being on the ground in the mill with Devon.Neither of us able to call for help.What if I built a construct, called for Ginger, and then for some reason, couldn’t back us out of it.How long would it take before someone found us?
“I shouldn’t have suggested trying.Colantha only mentioned dreamwalking with vampires and others like me.I wouldn’t think it would be any different with others, but I never asked.If I’d thought it through more, I’ve only tried creating a construct with Devon, and I wasn’t sure it would work.And the only reason it did was because I’d subconsciously shared dreams with him before.It was foolish of me to ask.”
She reached across the counter and grabbed my hand.“I was honored that you asked.Can you imagine if we tried, and then, I don’t know, we got stuck there?”She waved her hand in a dismissive gesture as she popped her coffee in the microwave for a warm up.“Now that I think of it, we would have been fine.Lucas would have found us before we died from dehydration.”
We both giggled at the thought, but we both knew it could have been a lot worse, and she thankfully changed the subject.
“What do you think it means that she’s sending a car for you?The Council meeting must have gone well.I mean, would they be taking you back to Oasis if something bad had happened?”
I shrugged and stared into the mug.“Maybe they didn’t want to share the bad news over the phone.Who knows what I might do?They all think I’m a bit crackers after facing the beast.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
We ate bowls of cereal in silence, then I went back to my room to get ready.When the knock came, Ginger headed for the door but stopped when her phone rang.
“Oh, hey Lucas.”She shrugged as she glanced at me then the door.
I peered through the peephole in the door, then nodded at her before opening the door to greet Jacques.
“How’s Devon?”
“My orders are to bring you in for a meeting.I haven’t been told anything else.”He stepped aside, waiting for me to exit.
Ginger waved to me and turned to finish her discussion with Lucas.I checked my pockets, ensuring I had my phone and key card, then closed the door behind me.
Jacques opened the passenger door,forcing me to ride in the back of the sedan, probably to decrease the opportunity of me peppering him with questions.He drove us in silence, and I wondered if he was this chatty with Bella.Since I was tired and irritable and wasn’t interested in playing games, I leaned back and watched the scenery.I’d been expecting a trip to Oasis and was surprised when the landscape became familiar, and he drove to the front of the manor.
No one waited to greet me.Not even Lucas.I got out, slamming the door behind me and dragging myself up the steps, bracing for what awaited me.
The manor was quiet, and I walked straight to Devon’s office, took a deep breath and knocked once before entering.
The cadre formed a semicircle around the desk where Lyra presided with Simone by her side.Decker hovered on a barstool, pouring a shot of what was probably whiskey.It was in a decanter, so it could be any amber-colored alcohol.Devon sat next to him, accepting the shot.It was also impossible to determine if this was their first or fifth.
Devon glanced at me with a barely perceptible nod, and I masked my own feelings and leaned against the espresso bar.
“Welcome, Cressa.”Lyra’s voice was her usual grace and warmth.“We saved a seat for you.”She pointed to one between Lucas and Sergi.
“I’m good here.”I folded my arms across my chest.Not defensive at all.
She nodded as her smile slipped.“I understand.Let’s catch you up.”
