Page 40 of Obsessed in Blood
“I’m sorry to cut this short. Another matter came up that I must take care of personally. Can you see yourself to your room?”
“Yes.” My voice was shaky as he led me to the door.
“I’m sorry.” He brushed strands of hair from my face. “I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s nothing you did. I’ll see you at breakfast.”
He all but pushed me out the door, and I raced back to my room. I tried to hide my excitement as I shoved Asshole away when he attempted to block my bedroom door.
“Lorenzo was interrupted by some business matter.” I slammed the door in the vamp’s face. I danced around the room, unable to hold in the elation any longer. I was Pandora, and I was a thief. A really good thief.
Now, if I could only remember more of Trelane and why I’d been living with him.
Sergi turnedthe limo down the unmarked dirt drive that led to Oasis. Devon wasn’t sure they’d get this far after a long and heated discussion with Colantha and her vampire guards over the secrecy of the location. The only reason he relented in allowing her guards to come was Sergi’s reminder that Colantha had allowed him to drive into her compound to retrieve Cressa. Now, they had shared secrets.
Lucas was in the front seat with Sergi. Lyra, Ginger, Colantha, and her two vampires shared the back with Devon. Simone wasn’t pleased when he called before leaving the manor to advise of their visit. He assured her she didn’t have to greet them, but some refreshments on the west outdoor patio would be appreciated.
Colantha made Simone nervous, and though he couldn’t be sure, he expected it had to do with control and who had it. Simone might manage Oasis, but her background was security and tactical fighting, and she had no defenses while in the construct. The only reason Sergi wasn’t as upset was his previous experience with Colantha. And it explained Colantha’s fierce need to keep her bodyguards close at hand since she was just as defenseless. But the situation proved one thing: Devon had to find a way for his Family to leave a construct at will. Something he would discuss with Colantha.
He’d studied Colantha on the hour drive while Lyra and Ginger kept her occupied with questions and stories. She appeared to be fully engaged in the conversation while staying aware of everything around her, including his steady gaze. She ignored him, and it reminded him of Cressa’s similar ability to appear bored while capturing every emotion and object around her.
When the outer housing units came into view, Colantha moved her vampires out of the way so she could get a better view. She rolled down the window, and he half-expected her to jump out. When the main house came into view, she released a sigh. Her vampires glanced at each other, and he wasn’t sure what to make of their slight grins.
Devon relaxed and looked to Lyra, nodding his head toward the window. She bent her head to see what he’d seen and smiled.
Simone stood on the top step just outside the door. The limo stopped at the base of the stairs, and Lucas jumped out of the limo and opened the passenger door. The two vampires got out first and scanned the area, taking in Simone and the other vampires of House Trelane. Sergi opened the other side door, and Devon stepped out in time to see Simone smile at her guests.
When they reached the top step, she held out her arms. “Welcome to Oasis, home of House Trelane.”
Colantha bowed her head before turning to view the surrounding estate. “Quite impressive.” Then she turned back to Simone and followed her into the manor.
They were led directly to the outdoor patio where refreshments waited. Once they were seated, Simone turned to leave, but Colantha caught her hand.
“You are very important to Cressa.”
Simone appeared shocked then quickly schooled her features into a light nod. “She is a precious member of the House.”
Colantha waved her hand, dismissing Simone, who glanced at Devon and compressed her lips into a fine line before leaving the patio.
Colantha raised her voice enough to be heard. “You can’t fool me, vampire. I can plainly see what is in your heart.”
Simone stumbled partway down the hall before veering off into whatever room came next.
“I didn’t mean to annoy her.” Colantha took the proffered glass of iced tea and closed her eyes. “Black peppermint tea. Exquisite.” She turned to Devon. “She’s a strong one. She’ll make an excellent House Leader one day. But she needs some of that smugness knocked out of her.”
Devon chuckled and changed the topic. He waved to the gardens that stretched out before them. “Cressa hasn’t spent much time here, but we have a shared memory down by the edge of the lake, and over by the oak tree.” He pointed toward the east. “But our most intimate dreams occurred in my private garden.”
“What were her favorite things in the garden? Do you know?” Colantha asked.
He smiled as he remembered his moments in the dream. “We always met at the grotto. There are cascades of red roses, like those near the lake. She seemed to like them.” He laughed. “She once commented on how she enjoyed the feel of the grass between her toes, and then she’d wiggle them.” His laughter faded. “She enjoys the simple things.”
She patted his arm. “Show me.”
After the tour of the garden, they returned to the patio where a light refreshment was served with more black peppermint tea. They discussed Colantha’s ideas for the base construct, and Devon was surprised by Colantha’s desire to have the three of them—Lyra, Ginger, and himself—participate.
“If we break Lorenzo’s mesmerizing, how long will it last? He’ll continue to mesmerize her as often as he can for several more days.” Lorenzo wasn’t sloppy. He wouldn’t stop the mesmerizing until Cressa was completely devoted to him.
“Once she realizes who she is, and what Lorenzo has been doing, his influence will no longer work—now or in the future. She will subconsciously recognize it for what it is and block it.”
“Dreamwalkers can do that?”
