Page 53 of Betrayed in Blood
“Can’t you have more than one instructor? You have different skill sets. Don’t you train with different members of the cadre?” He finished the last pie and pushed the cookie sheet aside, wiping his hands on a towel he wore over his shoulder. “Think of it this way. With two instructors, there’s a better chance classes won’t have to be delayed or canceled if one of you is sent on a mission.”
I nodded. “Ginger was teaching defensive moves during an attack. Maybe that could be augmented by what to do if you’re captured. I could teach skills like picking locks or scaling walls that could help with an escape. Not everyone will be interested, but there are always a few who don’t like feeling helpless. We could call it a how to survive an invasion course.”
“Now you have it.”
And once Cook filled my head with ideas, I was itching for a pad and pen to start jotting them down. I shoved the last piece of cheese in my mouth and was picking up my dishes when a vamp I’d seen a number of times but never knew his name raced in.
“Cook.”
Cook turned as he moved the cookie sheet to the top of the stove. “Walter. What’s wrong?”
I grinned. Not so much at the panic on his face. My heart jumped at what could be wrong, but Walter? What kind of name was that for a vamp? For some reason, it hit my funny sensor. But I bit my lip when the vamp noticed me.
“Miss Langtry. Thank the stars. The Wolf is at the gate and there’s no one to receive him.”
I really struggled. The Wolf is at the gate. Maybe part of my day could be spent in psychotherapy. I couldn’t stop myself. I laughed. Loud. Wake the dead loud.
I was aware that no one else laughed. Even Cook appeared concerned—his mouth open with no words coming out, his brows meeting his hairline, his hands rubbing together as if he was dry washing them.
This was all Devon’s fault.
He’d given serious news to a woman who’d just woken up with a hangover. Then he stormed out, leaving me with gaps in what he said. Then Ginger laid it all out like it made perfect sense. The manor was close to a ghost town, and now we had a vamp called Walter worried about a wolf at the gate.
I bent over, hands on knees, to catch my breath. The action made my head spin, and when I straightened, I grabbed the counter from falling over. I wiped a hand over my eyes and cheeks, drying the tears. But when I glanced at Walter and Cook, the giggles erupted all over again.
But now, whether in solidarity or simply to make it look like I hadn’t blown a fuse, Cook joined in the laughter. Walter, his head swiveling left and right trying to understand, began to smile and nod like he had a clue what the hell was going on.
I heaved out a huge breath and picked up my dish and glass, leaving them in the sink. Then I wiped my hands and clapped them once. “Let’s welcome our visitor.”
I winked at Cook on my way out. He smiled, his brows still lifted, and I stifled more giggles that were eager to erupt. I had to get a hold of myself. When I stopped at Devon’s office, I gave Walter his instructions. “Bring The Wolf to the office as soon as he arrives.”
As soon as I closed the door behind me, the rest of my pent-up laughter rushed out of me. Good grief. I needed to get a hold of myself. This was the worst time to lose it. But honestly, sometimes humor was just lost on these vamps.
I strode to the bar, figuring I had maybe five minutes before The Wolf made it to the front steps. I poured a double shot of vodka, swallowed it down in one gulp, closed my eyes for a minute, then faced the desk.
I couldn’t. The desk wasn’t mine to command or greet from. Besides, this was just a welcome until Devon arrived. It had been some time since I’d spoken to Remus without an audience. That had been the day I walked into the paper mill to save Devon from his beast.
The desk might be off limits to greet an ally, but I searched the drawers and swiped a pad of paper and pen. I plopped into a chair near the fireplace and scratched down the ideas Cook had given me for a training course. I’d just listed the sixth item when the knock came.
Walter stuck his head in, and I bit my lip.Remain calm. You’re the ambassador for House Trelane.That did it. My stifled giggles turned to nausea.
“The Wolf is here.”
I set the pad and pen down and rose. “Send him in.”
Remus strode in, noticed I was the only one in the room, and asked his two bodyguards to remain in the hall.
His smile was warm, and he held out his arms in greeting. “Cressa. It’s been too long.” He gave me a hug, and when he stepped back, he grabbed my shoulders. “I see a bit of sun on your skin. From Madrid?”
“We took a detour to the southern coast.”
“Aah, the beaches of Spain. Some of the best in the world.” He glanced around the office. “I was expecting others.”
I laughed and guided him to the chair opposite me. “I was as well when I came down after training. But I’m sure they’ll arrive soon. Can I get you a drink? Maybe an espresso?”
“An espresso would be wonderful. Tell me of Spain.”
I gave him a recap of our visit to Aramburu, leaving most of the important stuff out, unsure how much Devon wanted to share, as I made our drinks.
