Page 2 of Betrayed in Blood
I stepped closer to Devon. The fog from the sangria had cleared, and I no longer cared about the oppressive heat. The Oslo twins wouldn’t harm us, but there were cryptic vamp non-verbals at play. Maybe they were just sizing each other up and not testing boundaries. I had to remember Devon hadn’t met them before.
“For a day or two. Schedules have been rearranged, and a room prepared.”
When we reached the car, Ulrik had the rear passenger door open and waved us inside.
“We’ll need to stop at the hotel.” Devon looked at the twins. He was firm on that point.
“Not necessary,” Ulrik said. “We took the liberty of having the maid collect your things. Your bags are in the trunk.”
When Devon’s jaw clenched and his posture turned rigid, I expected the twins to take a step back. I was surprised when they held their ground.
“Don’t worry. Your weapons are safely stored and will be returned to you once your visit is over.”
When Devon stood at the open door but didn’t get in, Erik shrugged and entered first. I glanced at Devon, and he nodded. This was apparently not the welcome reception he’d been expecting. And I had to admit, checking us out of the hotel seemed like they didn’t trust us.
On the other hand, House Aramburu had survived for centuries outside vampire society. Perhaps Aramburu was itchy, even with allies. Though he tried to hide it from me, Devon had been a bundle of nerves since we landed in Madrid.
I climbed in, and Devon followed. We sat on the plush bench seat while the twins took seats across from us. The driver wasted no time in pulling away from the curb.
“I know these aren’t standard procedures among allies, but Aramburu is an extremely cautious vampire who wants his visitors safe. There has been a recent increase in interlopers.” Erik continued his warm smile as if this were just another day at the office.
“Venizi?”
Ulrik shrugged. “Who’s to say? They don’t get much of a chance to speak.”
Yikes. A take-no-prisoner defense.
Erik poured drinks as they settled into the drive. It would be more peaceful if Devon relaxed, but his tension was a palpable presence. Ulrik ignored us and focused on the rear window or—if I had to guess—searched for anyone who might be following us.
Thirty minutes rolled by as Erik provided a running commentary on the city and the local customs as we traveled into the countryside.
“Tell me, Erik.” Devon lifted his empty glass, and the vamp refilled it. “What are the Oslo twins doing in Spain working for Aramburu?”
“Look outside. It’s warm many months of the year. It might get cold during the evenings, but El Recinto is below snow levels most of the winter.”
Ulrik glanced over. “And we travel a great deal.”
“I’m dying to know. How did you get off Venizi’s island?” I asked. If they were offended by my not-so-subtle question about whether they escaped on their own or if Lorenzo let them go, they didn’t show it.
Erik laughed, and even Ulrik, still focused on the traffic behind us, grinned. “Fortunately, Venizi was more interested in the two of you than us. We were able to leave with the other guests. Then we thought it might be the best time to leave the country.”
“But you were fighting his security teams,” I pressed.
“In the mansion, yes. But so were others who felt the need to defend themselves in the confusion. Once we were outside, our weapons unseen, it was easy to blend into the crowd. We were delayed leaving the ship once we reached the mainland, but it wasn’t our faces they were searching for.”
Devon squeezed my hand, signaling he was satisfied with the response. For now.
An hour passed before the car slowed and turned into a small hamlet. The place appeared deserted.
“Are you armed?” Erik asked.
Devon nodded while Ulrik opened a concealed panel by his armrest and removed a sword, handing it to Erik before pulling out another.
“And the lovely Cressa?”
“I have my dagger.” I glanced around but didn’t see the threat Erik must have seen.
The car turned behind an old mission-style church and slowed to a stop.
