“I couldn’t agree more,” my grandfather said, but his gaze was still wary, and I could feel my panic bubbling up. The fact that I’d held back from the rest of the officers.
“Merit?” he asked.
“He was the vampire who attacked me.”
The words spilled out, faster than I’d meant them to.
I’d seen protectiveness in Ethan’s eyes. The anger that showed in my grandfather’s was pretty similar.
“From the Quad?”
I nodded. “I didn’t recognize him the night Caleb was killed; I didn’t see his face. It wasn’t until we were on the train that I saw—” Bile rose, and I had to stop, close my eyes, wait for the nausea to pass.
“Here,” Jeff said after a moment, offering me a cold bottle of water.
I nodded my silent thanks, pressed the bottle against the back of my neck. “Kind of hits you funny.”
“It does,” my grandfather said. “And it’s completely understandable.”
“You were fucking incredible.”
Surprised by the curse and the tone, my grandfather and I both looked at Jeff.
His gaze was fierce.
“I mean it,” he said. “You found out who he was, and you didn’t back down. Hell, you fought him, and you were a total warrior.”
“I was scared shitless.”
He smiled. “That’s because you have a brain in your head. You know how it goes, Merit. Fear doesn’t stop a warrior. It pushes you further.”
I reached out, squeezed his hand. “Thanks, Jeff.”
“It’s the absolute truth.”
I nodded, made myself tell them the rest of it. “He basically confirmed Reed’s pulling his strings. He wants to kill me, make Ethan crazy. Two birds, one stone. I didn’t tell the cops—I don’t want to make that situation worse. Too many people already think we have it in for Reed.”
My grandfather nodded. “It was smart to be cautious. And you’ve told me. That’s fine for now. You’ll have to tell Ethan.”
I just nodded.
“Mallory said it looked like the vampire was watching the House,” Jeff said.
“Casing it, is my best bet. I don’t think he planned to make a run at me tonight—probably because there were so many other people there. You guys and Scott and Morgan. He would have watched and waited.”
And he still would watch and wait. Because nothing had been decided tonight. This had been the first round of a battle that had to continue. I’d see him again. He’d make another attempt.
“Am I done here?” I asked, glancing back at the uniforms. “I’d like to get back to the House.” Away from here, from trains and cops and onlookers.
“You are,” my grandfather said. “Would you like a ride?”Normally, I’d have jumped at the offer, but I needed time to think. Time to process. A few minutes of solitude before I walked into Cadogan House, because God knew I wouldn’t get it then. I’d have to talk. I’d have to report. I’d have to tell.
“Actually, I think I’d like to grab a cab if you don’t mind.”
My grandfather squeezed my arm. “There’s nothing wrong with taking a few minutes to settle. You’ve earned it.”
“Do you think that’s safe?” Jeff asked.
“He’s long gone,” I said. “Too many cops around. And he won’t try the House tonight. Not after this. He’ll know we’re watching.”
“I don’t disagree,” my grandfather said.
“Let me get you a cab,” Jeff said. “Least we can do is make sure you get in it safely.” He walked to the curb, signaled for a cab, waited until one pulled up.
“You’ll let me know when you get home?” my grandfather asked, and put up a hand to stop any grumbling. “I know you’re a grown woman and can take care of yourself, but I’d appreciate it if you’d do me the favor tonight.”
“I will,” I promised, and gave him a hug, them climbed into the cab and pulled out my phone. I sent Ethan a simple message. I’M ON MY WAY.
I kept it short and simple, but I had little doubt he’d have plenty of things to say.
• • •
I had the cab drop me off at the corner. Even after the twenty minute ride, I was still procrastinating walking back in the front door.
I’d been a grad student. I could recognize procrastination a mile away.
Why stand outside the House? Why delay going back to the man who loved me? Because I felt so suddenly vulnerable. Stripped emotionally bare because the vampire who’d attacked me was back again. I felt like I was standing naked in a spotlight, blinded to the onlookers, knowing they were there.
And that wasn’t all. I felt that I’d failed because I’d let him go. Yes, that had been to save the life of a child, but it still ate at me. He was still out there. And he wouldn’t go away.
I could defend myself, sure. Would defend myself when we inevitably met again. But until then, there was waiting. There was feeling exposed.
That sent me back toward the House, toward the fence and the gate.
Tonight’s guards were two human women I’d seen standing sentry before. One was tall and leggy, with pale skin and a crop of pale blond hair. The other was shorter and curvier, with a strong body and dark skin, her dark hair pulled into a tight bun.
“House is on alert,” said Liv, the taller guard.
“Yeah,” I said, looking up at the imposing stone structure. “That’s my fault. Any problems?”
“Very quiet, actually,” said Valerie, the shorter guard.
I nodded. “I should get inside. Stay safe out here.”
They nodded, opened the gate just enough to allow me entrance. For the second time tonight, I listened to it work. Only this time, I was on the opposite side.
There were three supplicants in the foyer tonight—a man and two women. Their gazes flicked to me as I walked in, then back to the phones they watched to pass the time.
I nodded at the Novitiate who staffed the table as I passed, then walked to Ethan’s office. I paused outside the open door for a moment, steeling my nerve, and walked inside.
Ethan stood in front of the windows, hands in the pockets of his black suit, back to me. Malik stood to his right, a sheaf of papers in his hands.
Both looked back as I walked in, took in the torn clothes, the blood. The magic that poured through the room was a heady cocktail of relief, anger, and Masterly irritation.