Page 45 of Betrayed in Blood
“Sounds like you have a handle on it.”
“Yes, but there’s still so much to do.” She cocked her head to the side. “I’m glad you came. I had to handle other tasks while you and Ginger were away, so I haven’t been able to get to the Oasis library problem until now. I was up until two last night working on it, then tossed and turned for a couple of hours before coming back down here.” She chewed her lip. “I came to a decision this morning. I’ll need a couple of weeks to complete this task. I’m afraid I’ll need to push your and Ginger’s lessons out until this is done. I know you wanted to get back to class.”
Two weeks of no classes. I felt like the kid who left the principal’s office with a two-week suspension. The principal thought he was punishing me, but to me—it was a two-week vacation. I forced a sorrowful tone.
“Wow, that’s too bad. Ginger and I will do our best to keep ourselves occupied. I know how important it is to have a functioning library.”
If she caught any innocent deception in my tone, she didn’t show it.
“Oh, thank you, Cressa. Now, if you don’t mind, I really need to get back to this.” She picked up her pen and reviewed her notes.
Duly dismissed, I strode to the door and was shutting the door when I remembered why I’d come in the first place. “Have you seen Ginger recently?”
She didn’t even look up. “A bit earlier, when she came for class, and I told her the same thing I just told you. She could be anywhere.”
I shook my head and closed her door. That was fifteen minutes of my life I’d never get back and with nothing to show for it. I checked her room, then decided to go up and talk to Lyra without the benefit of Ginger.
Lyra wasn’t in her room. Damn.
I snapped my fingers and ran down the stairs. I don’t know why it hadn’t been my first thought. There was only one other gossip magnet in the house besides Ginger. Cook. Fortunately, Cook was right where he was supposed to be—in the kitchen in the middle of making something, although I had no idea what it was.
“Hi, Cook.”
He spun around, a teaspoon in one hand and a jar of herbs in the other. “Cressa, I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have you back. Come in.” He turned back to his task. “I’m making sauces. I always like to have a supply available. Sit, sit.”
I wandered over and plopped on a stool at the counter. “I don’t have time to talk. Colantha will be here soon, and I can’t seem to find Ginger or Lyra.”
“Ah, it will be good to see Colantha. But to be honest, it’s Frederick and Jamison I’m eager to see.”
“Really?” As Colantha’s bodyguards, the two vamps rarely spoke.
“Oh, yes. They’re amazing chefs, and we often share recipes.”
“Really?” I was repeating myself, but no other words came to me.
“Yes. While they haven’t been officially trained like me, they learned from their mother and grandmother, or so they tell me. They have Creole recipes handed down from several generations, and several Cajun and French dishes as well. And, of course, I have an array of my own specialties.”
I rubbed my stomach. “Don’t I know it?”
He lifted his head. “I should show them my recipes for these sauces. What excellent timing.”
I patted his shoulder. “I’ll tell them as soon as they arrive. Do you know where Ginger and Lyra are?”
“Try the sycamore tree. They left about thirty minutes ago with a basket.”
I kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
“Any time. Any time.” But he was back to his sauces with as much enthusiasm as Anna and her books.
I took the route through the solarium to reach the backyard, my mind wandering to Anna and Cook. They had been so consumed by their projects. The only thing I had to look forward to every day was time in the training room and when the next meal was. I needed a project.
Ginger and Lyra were sitting on a blanket under the sycamore. Ginger was peering into the open basket then glanced up at my approach.
She looked chagrined. “I’m sorry. I should have asked you to lunch.”
I shook my head. “I haven’t been up long. Sergi kicked my ass in training.” I plopped down and grinned at Lyra before stealing a pickle from Ginger’s plate. Cook canned his own, and I’d be hard pressed to find a better tasting one. I munched the end. “Colantha will be here at two.” I snapped my gaze to Lyra. After all that time searching for Ginger so she could help soften the news with Lyra, I just blurted it out.
Lyra nodded, and though her shoulders sagged, her smile was sweet. “Colantha told me. She said Hamilton is doing well but is working through a few issues, so he’ll remain behind.” Then she brightened. “He told her to tell me he was writing a letter. He’s still not ready for the change in technology.”
