Page 12 of Betrayed in Blood
I blinked, forcing my blurred vision to clear. “Thank you.”
He released me. “Try to behave yourself. I’ll see you for lunch.”
I patted his ass as he turned. “You know me.”
He chuckled. “Why is why I asked.”
I was still grinning when I stepped into the shower. His trust meant the world to me. However, his words didn’t quell the nerves jumping around in my belly like popcorn kernels on high heat.
I selected linen pants, a silk shirt, and kitten heels, then finished the last touch by pushing the diamond hair clips in my hair, smiling at the memory of Devon giving them to me one morning while still in bed at the hotel in Madrid. After a last look in the mirror, I searched my duffel for the small, locked box. I entered the combination, and the lid popped open, revealing my medallion. I slipped it around my neck, then left the suite and wandered around the first floor.
A maid dressed in a simple gray dress smiled as I strode toward her.
“Mistress Aramburu is waiting for you on the terrace. Do you need me to guide you?”
I smiled in return. “I remember the way, but thank you.”
“Sí. Have a nice day.”
“You too.”
It was interesting she’d said Mistress Aramburu and not Master because they were both waiting for me at a table for four. Gregor stood when I entered and pulled out a chair for me.
“I’m sorry to be late.” I took my seat, and my mouth watered at the fruit, scrambled eggs, and black beans.
“Nonsense,” Sonja said. She picked up the bowl of eggs and passed them to me. “These just came out of the kitchen. Devon said this would be enough for you. Some days we eat light, other days it feels like a four-course meal.”
“It’s the boys.” Gregor took the bowl from me once I’d taken a couple of scoops. “I understand it’s the same in the human world. They reach a certain age, and their stomachs never seem to fill.”
“I’ll take your word for it. I only have a half-sister, and she always ate like a bird.”
“Mariah won’t admit it,” Gregor continued, “but she eats as hearty as the boys.”
Sonja nodded. “But she’s very active, so it simply disappears.” Once everyone had their food and they ate, she continued. “I thought it best if we had a neutral spot when meeting with the dreamwalkers. Only four will be joining us in addition to me, and I selected a windowless conference room. Would that meet your requirements?”
My requirements. I didn’t have any of those and wasn’t really sure what was expected of me. “I’ve been in a couple different environments when dreamwalking. My initial training took place in a dark room with just a single candle, but I’ve also been in a library, a study, and a rocky beach facing hostile vamps.”
When Gregor’s brows lifted, I said, “Sorry, vampires.”
He waved his hand. “The term doesn’t bother me. It was the hostile environment that surprised me.”
“It was a rescue operation, and plan A didn’t go as planned. Fortunately, we were prepared for that.”
“I’m sorry, I’m not sure I understand.” Sonja pushed her plate away. “Are you saying you went to a construct while facing an enemy?”
I nodded but wasn’t sure how much to share. If this visit went well, Sonja and Gregor would need to be introduced to Colantha and maybe Hamilton. But I didn’t want to share Colantha’s name without her permission. It seemed I didn’t need to worry.
“This was your raid of Venizi’s island that Erik and Ulrik told us about.” Gregor kept his focus on me, probably measuring the truth of my words.
I nodded. “We took the enemy force to a construct and held them in place until Devon could—” I searched for the right term. “Dispatch them.”
Gregor grinned with delight, but Sonja paled. “You have that much power?”
I blushed. “No. There was another one helping. I’m sorry, but I’ll need to ask her permission before sharing her name.”
“We understand.” He patted Sonja’s hand. “This is a dangerous game we’re playing. There’s still a question as to whether this is the right time to show our hand. The best way to ensure victory in war is to plan your strategy closely. I knew Guildford Trelane before I walked away from that world, but everything the Oslo twins tell me, what I hear from other Houses, and what we know of Devon’s partnership with the shifters, tells me we have the right man leading this. But still, there is much to plan.”
“I agree, as does Devon. This was the reason we accepted your gracious invitation to visit your home. Devon is meeting with his allies and…” I gazed at the landscape of hills and grasses far beyond the gardens, not sure what I’d planned to say.
