“What’s wrong?” Howard pushed the box of donuts toward Zoltan. “Didn’t they vote for a new Coven Master?”
Zoltan shot an annoyed look at Mikhail. “The vote was unanimous.”
Mikhail scowled back. “Don’t blame me. I can’t be Coven Master of Eastern Europe. I live in Russia.”
“Close enough,” Zoltan muttered. “You could have volunteered.”
Mikhail snorted. “I have no patience for all the whining that goes on at Coven Court. I would declare everyone guilty and fine them a million euros for wasting my time.”
Zoltan sighed and reached for a donut.
“So who is the new Coven Master?” Howard asked.
Zoltan took a bite and mumbled, “They voted for me again.”
Russell scoffed. “But you’re not a vampire.”
“They don’t care!” Zoltan waved the donut in the air. “They know I could still live forever, so apparently I’m stuck with the job for all eternity!”
Howard grimaced. “They’re willing to let a non-vampire judge them at Coven Court?”
Zoltan groaned. “Lazy bastards. I should do like Mikhail said and fine them all a million euros.” He gave the Russian a wry look. “You’re not off the hook. I’ll need someone to teleport me to all the meetings.”
Mikhail grunted, then gulped down some Bleer. “Why don’t you just let me turn you back into a vampire? Don’t you miss being able to teleport?”
“I do miss that.” Zoltan nodded. “But not enough to give up the days I can have with my wife and family. And stuff like this—” He eyed the donut in his hand. “This is damned good.” He popped the rest into his mouth.
Howard sat back with a smirk. “Now you’re talking.”
Mikhail shook his head. “If we’re done for the night, I should get back to Moscow. Pam’s working—”
“I need a lift back to Tiger Town,” Zoltan interrupted him.
Mikhail gave him an annoyed look. “What am I, your taxi service?”
Zoltan shrugged. “You wouldn’t have to cart me around if you’d taken the Coven Master job.”
Mikhail groaned and drank more Bleer.
“I’ll take you.” As soon as the words were out of Russell’s mouth, he flinched. What the hell was he doing?
Even Zoltan looked surprised. “Oh. Thanks, Russell.”
“I’m out of here then.” Mikhail vanished, taking his bottle of Bleer with him.
Russell swallowed hard. He couldn’t back out now. He was going to Tiger Town. The thought of seeing Jia again made his heart beat faster. Dammit. What was wrong with him? It wasn’t like the princess would be happy to see him. She’d probably slap him again.
Zoltan stood. “Can you give me a few minutes? I need to grab my bag from upstairs.”
“That’s fine.” Russell picked up the loaded ice chest. “I need to take my supplies home first.”
“Home?” Howard eyed him curiously. “You’ve never mentioned a home before. Where is it?”
Shit. Now he was saying too much. Without another word, Russell teleported back to the bat cave. Using vampire speed, he put away his new supplies. The faster he moved, the faster his heart pounded. Since it was a warm August night, he decided to leave his coat behind. He put on a clean T-shirt, then quickly washed his face, brushed his teeth, and combed his hair.
What the hell are you doing? This wasn’t a date. He was just going to check in on Jia to see how she was faring. That was all. It was well after midnight in Tiger Town, so she was probably asleep. Or she might not even be there. She might have already escaped.
The thought of her trekking through the forest in the middle of the night made his chest tighten. He quickly teleported back to pick up Zoltan, then took him to Tiger Town. Zoltan had called his wife to let her know he was on his way, so she was waiting for him in the courtyard.
Zoltan dropped his duffel bag on the stone pavement and ran toward Neona. She laughed as he whirled her around in a circle.
Russell looked away, annoyed that after two months of marriage, the two were still acting like newlyweds. To his surprise, he spotted Rajiv at the top of the stairs that led down the riverbank. The were-tiger was focused on something in the distance.
“I thought you’d be asleep.” Russell approached him.
Rajiv turned and greeted him. “Any luck finding Han tonight?”
“No.” Russell motioned toward Zoltan. “I gave him a lift.”
“That’s good.” Rajiv turned back to gaze at the road that led south. “Someone’s coming.”
Russell narrowed his eyes. “Looks like a truck. Isn’t it late to have visitors?”
Rajiv glanced toward him with a brief smile. “We’re out in the middle of nowhere. For those of us who can’t teleport, it takes a long time to get here.”
Russell nodded and shifted his weight.
Rajiv gave him a curious look. “Was there something you needed? Did you want to talk to Jin Long?”
“No, no. I’m fine.” Russell glanced north to where the royal residences were situated. “Just wondering . . .” He shifted his weight again. “Is your cousin all right?”
“Jia?” Rajiv looked surprised. “Sure. She seemed fine at dinner.”
So she was still here. Russell’s pulse accelerated.
Rajiv studied the approaching truck to the south. “I’ll see what’s going on.” He started down the stairs to the riverbank. “So long.”