Page 45 of Bite at First Sight

“Well, for one thing, I thought it wise to wait until you got your bearings and evaluated the circumstances for yourself. For another, you strike me as the sort who pays little heed to the opinions of others.”

“An apt assessment.” Rafe couldn’t hide his respect. “Perhaps you should have been interim Lord of London all along. Lord knows, I never wanted to rule.” The irony weighed heavily on his mind. He’d accepted his tío’s offer to be an immortal guardian over his family because he didn’t feel suited to the responsibilities as hidalgo of his village.

Anthony shook his head. “I don’t know about that. It takes more than a talent for assessing the characters of others to rule a people.”

“And what is your assessment of Lady Rosslyn?” Rafe blurted out without thinking.

The vampire remained silent as he took the seat opposite Rafe. Finally, he looked up, eyes intent. “You can’t kill her. She would be too much of an asset to our people. Imagine having our own doctor for our kind. She might be able to fix Mary’s leg.” He smiled. “And I think she’s completely smitten with you.”

Rafe doubted that, as much as the thought still made his chest tight. “Does your offer still stand to Change her?”

Anthony’s smile dimmed. “It would, if I had not grown so weakened donating blood for your surgeries. By the time I regain my strength, the deadline for the Elders’ decree will have passed.”

Rafe slammed his fist on the table. “Damn it! I should have had William open a vein before I dismissed him. At least then he could have been useful for once.”

“He wouldn’t have done it. He would have quit before lifting a finger to help anyone but himself.” Anthony shrugged. “Anyhow, Lady Rosslyn is preparing for your next surgery as we speak, so we had best get a move on.”

Rafe shook his head, stomach knotting with guilt. “I can’t allow you to give more blood and be weakened further.”

“Nonsense, my lord. It is my duty to do what is best to ensure the safety of our people as much as it is yours. And I believe that you are the one who can keep us safe. You will need all the strength you can muster to establish control and deal with these current issues, and I will do all I can to give you that strength.” Anthony shrugged. “Besides, the countess says there are only to be three more operations. I am certain that I shall not perish before that.”

A lump formed in Rafe’s throat at his third’s loyalty. “Very well. I will do all I can to see that you are fairly rewarded for your incredibly noble sacrifice.”

As he followed Anthony up to the lab, Rafe concluded that he had to find a vampire willing to save Cassandra. And as he beheld her in the laboratory arranging her instruments, Rafe hoped he was worthy of all that Cassandra and Anthony had done for him.

Thirteen

17 October 1823

Clayton ground his teeth in fury. How dare Villar dismiss him like he was a mere underling? And how dare the cripple publicly insult and humiliate him as well? His face burned as he remembered the looks of shocked amusement on the vampires’ faces when Rafael had threatened to strip him of his title. Villar would pay for his actions. Oh yes, he would pay.

He growled as someone knocked on his door. Would he have any peace this night? Cursing under his breath, he lumbered out of his comfortable chair, vowing to slaughter the interloper if the interruption was not worthwhile.

William stood shivering on the stoop.

Clayton sighed. “I thought I told you not to come here unless I summon you. It’s dangerous for us to be seen together until my plans are set.”

William looked up sullenly. “Villar threw me out.”

For a moment, all Clayton could do was stare in dumbfounded rage. First Villar dismissed him and now William? It could not be a coincidence. When he found his voice, the questions came rapid-fire. “Why in the hell would he do that? What did you do? Does he know about my plan?”

“I didn’t do anything,” William protested. “And I daresay that if he knew of our plan, he would have arrested me. He may suspect something, but I think he was merely in a foul temper and unjustly took it out on me. Truly it is a relief to be out from under his thumb, no longer at the mercy of his foul moods.”

Clayton lifted his gaze heavenward. “Good God, you are such a fool. If you didn’t do anything, then he certainly must suspect something. You’re lucky he must not have any conclusive proof.”

William gave him a vapid smile. “May I stay with you then?”

“Of course not, you idiot! Villar’s suspicions would definitely be confirmed if I took you in.” He stopped as another thought came on panicked wings. “And he may have set spies on your trail. You weren’t followed, were you?”

William shook his head emphatically. “No, I am certain of it. I always check when I come here, just as you told me. I wasn’t Changed yesterday, you know.”

“Well, you certainly behave as if you were at times.”

The other vampire ignored his words and looked over his shoulder at the blazing hearth with naked longing. “Could I at least come in for a spot of brandy?”

Clayton sighed and looked over William’s shoulder, opening his senses to detect other vampires. “Very well, but you must be on your way soon.”

William followed him inside eagerly, rushing to the fireplace to warm his hands. “I am ever in your debt.”

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