Page 113 of Betrayed in Blood
“But you need to cancel our evening plans.”
“I heard your mother is awake and feeling better than we expected.”
I hadn’t been prepared for the change of subject. “Yes. I just came from there. She looks much better, but still tired.”
“Did Ginger tell you about Oasis?” Again with the subject change.
“Yes.” The word was drawn out, and he squeezed me before shifting topics again.
“Sergi has high hopes for Kirk. That’s the other vampire.”
I laughed. “Kirk. He sounds like a kid with a skateboard.”
“He looks about the same age. He tries to be tough, but he’s terrified.”
“Enough you might be able to flip him to our side?”
I felt his shrug. “Sergi believes so.”
So that meant he did, too. “But you need to spend a lot of time with him.”
“Yes.” He kissed my temple. “Always the smart one. April has calmed slightly, but she’s not very forthcoming. She’s eaten and was sleeping when we left.”
“From the drugs Madame Saldano gave her.”
“She told you?”
“Jacques.”
“Aah. We didn’t think she’d eat so quickly, but they did more drinking than eating at Venizi’s party. And being human, she can’t go long before hunger sets in.”
“She didn’t fight drunk.” I rubbed my upper leg where she’d clipped me with one of her kicks.
“It was her survival instinct after being ambushed. Anyway, with Ginger going to Oasis and with the lockdown still in effect, I thought you might want to go with her. You can take your mom and April. It would give everyone time to get to know each other. There’s plenty of space to relax and provide some much-needed family time. Lucas could also use your help with security, but the rest of the time is your own.”
I twisted around on his lap so I could look at him. “Is it safe for April to travel and be on her own?”
“Not at first. She’ll travel under a security detail and will be housed in the security office until Madame Saldano’s potion has time to take effect.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s not like mesmerizing, but she’ll become more pliable and less aggressive. It’s nothing permanent and will naturally work its way out of her system when she stops taking the potion. It won’t change her anger toward you, but it will tone it down. She also won’t have the energy to escape or fight, but she’ll be able to listen to conversations and join in if she chooses. The healer at Oasis will monitor her and modify the dosage as required. It’s not the answer, but it’s a start.”
I nodded. “How long will we be there?”
“Until Simone is ready to return. But we’ll assess April’s condition before making any plans for her and Willa.”
I bit my lip. “I wanted to be here for Simone.”
“I know. But you know how she’ll be once she wakes. And if the injury has left any weakness?—”
“Say no more. My presence, or anyone who’s not a vamp, will make her work too hard.”
“And spending time with your family will take your mind off her.” He pushed a lock of hair behind my ear, then caressed my cheek. “It’s not like we won’t talk a couple of times a day.”
“Only a couple?” I ran a finger along his stubbled jawline. Then I kissed him. It was filled with a hungry passion, and he met it with his own before slowly lifting his head.
“I know the timing interferes with our own discussion.”
