Page 43 of Betrayed in Blood
The comment tightened Devon’s chest. The pain of Lucas’s statement doubled Devon’s own thoughts. His own worries. “I’ll take care of it.”
Lucas’s laughter faded to lips thinning with some other emotion. “I didn’t mean to interfere.”
Devon smiled and shook his head. “I appreciate you reminding me of something I should have cared for long before now.” When Lucas didn’t appear any less concerned, Devon shook his head. “You’re cadre. It’s your job to remind me of my responsibilities, whether I like it or not. And truth should never be denied. Cressa being here has helped us. And if Lyra were here, she would tell you that all the events in Ginger’s and Cressa’s lives led them to us.” He grinned. “And then you can try to tell her different.”
Lucas released a breath, and though he didn’t smile, the guilt appeared gone. “I think I’ll leave those discussions between brother and sister.”
Devon stood, walked around his desk, and squeezed his young cadre’s shoulder. “That’s probably a good idea. Take some time for yourself and Ginger. You’ve both worked hard to finish the translations. I’ll need you rested when Colantha arrives.”
After Lucas closed the door behind him, Devon returned to his chair and swiveled to the window. He stared at the sycamore tree and then at his parents’ graves. “Soon, Father. Soon our House will be at peace—one way or another.”
ChapterTwelve
I barely reachedmy bed before falling face-first into the soft covers—my limbs numb. I’m not sure if I passed out, but when I woke, I couldn’t remember climbing the stairs. I do remember my legs feeling nothing more than melting, waxy imitations. Training had been going well. Ginger had thirty minutes to kill, and she was showing off some impressive new skills. Then Sergi showed up, and she begged off, claiming Anna would be waiting for her. I couldn’t tell if she was lying or not, but I caught her grin before she shut the door behind her.
Sergi led me through several routines as if he had something to prove. Maybe he thought I’d spent too much time on the beach in Spain. Either way, he left me sweating on the floor, barely able to crawl to a water bottle. When my body cooled, and my legs showed signs of life, I finally dragged myself upstairs and didn’t remember much after that.
“Wake up, Cressa.”
The harsh command was like a gong going off in my head. I sat up, sputtering from the lint stuck to my lips. I brushed it off, realizing I must have drooled in my sleep. How embarrassing. I glanced up, searching for whoever woke me to find Colantha standing in front of the windows.
“Colantha. No one told me you were here.”
“That’s because I’m not.”
Good grief.
“Did you wake me up in a construct?” I glanced around as I scooted to the edge of the bed. It looked like my bedroom. My sneakers were still on the floor at the bottom of the bed.
“I thought it was only fair.”
I rubbed my head. Then her words hit me. “Really? This is revenge for calling you to my construct. You could have ignored me.”
She smiled, but there was mischief dancing in her sparkling gaze. “Tell Devon we’ve left the airport and should arrive by two. If he could advise the guards at the gate, I’d appreciate it.”
“Sure. How about calling next time?”
She winked and then disappeared. I felt a slight shift as I came out of the construct, which left me sitting on the bed as if nothing had happened. I really had to be more careful in dealing with that woman. Sometimes, she was just downright scary.
I sniffed my pits. Shower first. It was quick, and I was jogging down the stairs within fifteen minutes, my legs once again my own. It took me several more minutes before finding Devon in the library. I leaned against the doorframe. He sat in the chair I normally found him in. It was a well-cushioned, high-backed chair in a light floral print, and had been his mother’s favorite, or so he told me. He was reading a book, his fingers softly brushing the pages as he read. The lamp behind him cast a yellow glow, softening his harder surfaces.
I loved watching him in his own silent world, a book in hand. If it was late evening, there would be a snifter of cognac within reach. At this time of day, the teapot wasn’t a surprise.
“Are you just going to watch me or come in?”
His voice startled me, and I immediately straightened. Then, feeling foolish, I shuffled over. “Do you always know when I’m watching you?”
“Not always. But, as you know, we’re expecting visitors, so I keep an ear open.”
He took my hand and pulled me around to sit on his lap as he placed the book aside. I landed with a soft “oomph” and managed to catch a glimpse of the title before his mouth swooped down for a heartwarming kiss.
I waited for him, enjoying the moment, but the minute his head lifted, I blurted out, “Is that the translation?”
He chuckled. “I see I’m not going to get more than one kiss.” He shifted me and laid the book on my lap. “I’d let you read it, but this is the copy Lucas brought back, and, as you know, the first half is in vampiric. Lucas has a transcribed copy available, though I’m not sure if you’ll have time if Colantha arrives today.”
“I won’t. That’s why I was searching for you. Colantha made a surprise visit to my room. She woke me from my nap.”
“She didn’t call?”
