Page 90 of Addicted in Blood
“Have a great time, and keep in touch.My transport to the manor will be here soon.I’ll see you in a few days.”
Devon stretchedout on the sofa in his office, though it was currently Lyra’s as long as she remained the leader of the House, which was why he didn’t sit at the desk.He could have used the one in his bedroom, but he needed a change of scenery, and had scheduled a private meeting with Lucas.
The blinds were open, and the mid-morning sun washed the room with a bright light that only improved his mood.He should be more upset with Cressa’s continued stubbornness, but after their dreamwalk the previous night, he couldn’t argue her logic.His sleep had been the deepest and most restful since the beast had been put to rest.And though he hadn’t tested it, his mental state seemed clearer this morning.
He stared at his tablet.The first thing that morning, he’d written down everything he could remember of what Cressa had shared about the symbols on the medallion.If this Colantha Dupré was to be believed, there was a strong tie between vampire and dreamwalker.He’d never heard of such a thing in his younger days.After Lyra had her psychotic break, he’d stumbled across an old myth of dreamwalkers in his search for something to help her.The medallion made it all the more real, as if the shared dreams weren’t enough.
Sergi hadn’t found any background on Colantha.Was that because this was all some sort of hoax?A group of psychics playing games?Or was it possible the Council had hidden a devastating secret so deep that after centuries, with part of their history unknown to them, its simple existence could tear the vampire world apart?If he’d never heard of dreamwalkers in his five hundred years, then whatever occurred to wipe them from written history happened with a Council centuries ago, possibly before his Father’s time.
He refocused on the tablet and pulled up his task list for the mission, adding a note for further investigation into Colantha Dupré.This covert assignment would belong strictly to Sergi.If the meanings on the medallion were legitimate, this discovery would be highly sensitive information.
When the knock at the door came, he switched to his notes about the illusive book,De første dage.The title was Danish for “the first days” and had been cataloged at the Renaud Library.It was now missing, as was the museum’s curator, Philipe Renaud.
“Morning.”Lucas sounded chipper for the first time since Devon returned home.He assumed Ginger had something to do with that.“Can I get you another?”
He glanced at his empty cup of espresso.“Yes, thank you.Is the car on its way?”
Lucas glanced at his watch.“I sent Mateo with a second car as a backup for Jacques.”He raised his voice over the sound of the espresso machine.“They should be on their way back.”
Devon smiled, curious at what Cressa’s mood would be like when she arrived.Either way, an hour or two of intense training should shake out any remaining irritation she had with him.
Lucas set the cups on the coffee table and dropped into the chair next to him.“It will be good to get back to a mission.”
“Have you told Ginger?”
He shrugged.“I told her I had a job that might take me out of town for several days.”
“It could be weeks or months.”
Lucas sipped his espresso, refusing to meet Devon’s gaze.“I’ve heard back from some old contacts of Philipe’s.They’re willing to meet, but until we know more, there’s no reason to upset her.”
Devon laughed.“Are you not giving her enough credit to be monogamous while you’re gone, or have you become so smitten you’ve discovered you’ll be the one struggling with a long-term separation?”
When a light blush touched his bodyguard’s cheeks, Devon relented.“How confident are you with these contacts?”
Lucas opened his tablet and turned on the LCD above the hearth to allow Devon to see the list of names.There were twenty of them, and next to each name was a city.
“That’s going to take some time.”
The door opened, and Lyra stopped when she saw them.“I’m sorry.I didn’t realize you had a meeting.”
Devon held out his hand.“Come sit.I should have mentioned it.Old habits, I’m afraid.We’re reviewing a task I’d like to send Lucas on, if it’s all right with you.”
She closed the door and sat next to Devon on the sofa, her gaze reviewing the names on the display.“I recognize some of them.”
“Where from?”
“Father, I think.I don’t remember meeting any of them, but I’m sure he mentioned them at least once or twice.It was a long time ago.”
“My first step will be determining the last time any of them have seen Philipe.”Lucas lifted his cup, and Lyra shook her head.“Maybe they can share some of the locations he used to haunt.Then I thought I’d ask them about the book and see if I get any flicker of a response.But I wanted your opinion and approval.Just asking about the book might be problematic.It could leak to the wrong vampires.”
“What book is that?”Lyra asked.
Before Devon had a chance to answer, the door burst open.They turned to find Sergi standing in the doorway, his face pale.He shot a glance at Lyra before turning his glazed eyes back to Devon.
“There’s been an accident.”
The sceneof the accident was barely ten minutes away.So close to home, and Devon wasn’t able to prevent this.
