Page 365 of Halfblood Deceived

He left the sedan and examined their surroundings for a minute. It was a sunny afternoon despite the chilly air. Someone could get ideas about attacking Kamilla. As a halfblood, Kam was more resilient to UV light, but not invulnerable. And with the recent discovery of a coven of psychotic witches attacking residents of Darkwood, they were all on high alert.

Dyson tapped the ceiling of the car twice.

Diana breathed deeply and left the car.

Kamilla and Aella followed her.

The vampire princess was clad in a long-sleeved, red wrap dress that, as usual, fitted her athletic, supple curves like a glove. It covered two-thirds of her thighs, leaving so much of her gorgeous legs on display…

Stop it; Diana mentally scolded herself.

She focused on her sister instead.

Aella looked blissfully happy. A week had passed since they’d rescued her from the claws of those psychopathic beasts, and she’d never looked better. Her long red hair was in a loose but intricate braid and made a sharp, beautiful contrast with her fitted blue sweater and dark jeans. She wore knee-high black boots with steel tips that gave her an extra inch and made her look like the badass she was.

Around her neck, she had a gold necklace with three pendants. In the center, a tear-drop-shaped emerald. And to each side of the no doubt ridiculously expensive precious stone, there were two small, round pieces of green quartz. Mari and Aylana had magicked the quartz pieces to create a glamour that would keep Aella’s true self a secret.

Vampire-gargoyle hybrids were a rarity. And it was best if no one but their family and friends knew the truth. Someone could get twisted ideas about experimenting on Aella the same way those gargoyle fuckers had experimented on Aiko.

“Zeydan did the braid,” Aella said, dragging Diana out of her dark thoughts.

Diana smiled and shook her head. “Is there anything that damn vampire can’t do?” Aside from knowing when to keep his thoughts to himself, that is; she mentally added.

Aella chuckled, freckled cheeks turning pink. “Perhaps a few things, but he’s a fast learner.” Her eyes widened at Diana’s raised eyebrow. “I didn’t mean it like that, you pervert!”

Diana wrapped her arm around Aella’s shoulders. “My baby sis. So adorably shy.”

Kamilla gave Diana a slow smile. “I remember a time when you used to blush just as easily, Diana darling.”

Diana gulped and blushed.

Aella snickered. “Now we both look like tomatoes.”

“Shut up,” Diana grumbled.

Dyson led the way inside.

All the blood drained from Diana’s face when they reached the open area, and she saw most of their coworkers there. Mac, Lupita, Trinity, Reese, Rebecca, Vaz, Rod, Jordan, and Tim sat at three tables they’d pushed together. Jessa’s absence made Diana’s stomach knot.

She pretended interest in the repaired ceiling, the freshly painted walls, and the new furniture to avoid looking at their faces too directly.

“Good afternoon, everyone,” Kamilla greeted.

Everyone bowed their heads slightly and replied to the greeting.

Diana stayed silent and still, hoping not to be noticed. Aella was far more interesting to look at, anyway. And they were indeed examining her. While the glamour hid her vampire traits—namely, her sharp canines and the shift in her eyes—it didn’t hide the healthy glow of her skin and the easy happiness she oozed.

“We will reopen Hecate this Friday,” Kamilla announced. “Same schedule, same safety personnel, except for Carina.”

“Traitors can fuck right off,” Rod spat, brown eyes flashing gold for a second, then made an “oops” gesture at having interrupted. He looked completely recovered from the blows Diana had given him. Which wasn’t surprising, because werewolves healed fast, but still sent a wave of relief into Diana’s system.

“Indeed,” Kamilla agreed serenely. “Aroth has helped me reinforce the wards at all entrances. So the chances of smuggling cursed food, items, or weapons are much lower. I have also requested Aroth and Andreas to assist me in conducting interviews with all my employees, to guarantee everybody’s safety. Any objections?”

“I have nothing to hide,” Lupita said with a shrug.

“Clearly, since you’ve told us everything there is to know about you,” Tim said with a wink.

“Including what you had for breakfast today,” Reese added.

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