I move towards them, not afraid, but CK growls, “Aefre,” as I move forward.
Ignoring him, I focus on the Alpha, staring intently at him as if I know him somehow. He backs up and shakes his head in protest, but I continue to move forward until I’m right in front of him. I kneel and reach my hand out to stroke him saying, “Hey there. Aren’t you a beautiful thing?”
He ducks his head and lets me scratch behind his ears as I smile at him. His clear green eyes look inquisitively at me.
As the gate on the castle wall grinds open, the wolves look startled, backing off as they know we are welcome. Interesting, I make a note: wolves protecting Vampires.
Well, here we go. Back into the hellhole. I square my shoulders and stalk into the grounds like I own it… which I shall in a few days, I remind myself. CK is close to my side, gripping my arm almost as if he needs it more than me. Cole grabs my other arm, and I have Devon at my back. I couldn’t be more secure physically. Now I just have to convince my brain of the same. We feel a sharp sensation go over us. CK and I whisper, “Wards,” to each other as we move forward.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE
A woman opens the front door for us. I sense her magick and know straight away she is one of his Romani.
Without a word, she steps back and lets us in. I hesitate for a moment, blinking at the sight. Modernized, of course, as is CK’s Ponte, but still very much the same. I find it odd that there is little
to no electric lighting. CK pulls me forward and I move with him shaking off the dread. My eyes flick to the stairs and I get flashbacks of me being dragged down them by my hair, but again, I try not to think about it.
“Father, Sister. How nice of you to drop by,” his smarmy voice greets us before he steps out of the shadows.
CK’s grip tightens on my arm to the point of pain, but I don’t say anything. I am too traumatized to speak at the moment.
“Lance,” CK growls.
I just stand there, remembering Cole’s words from earlier: click my fingers, dangerous weapon, mine.
“Lance,” I say as pleasantly as possible. “Are we welcome?”
Delighted to be asked, he replies, “Of course. You may stay as long as you like. And it’s Vladimir now, Liv.”
Of course it is.
We all just stare at each other for a moment, then he breaks the silence. “And you would be?” he inquires to Cole and Devon, even though I have no doubt he knows exactly who they are. They introduce themselves stiffly.
He nods. “Nephews.”
They both look like they might be sick, as do I, probably.
“May I inquire to the reason for your visit?”
“Liv, thought about what you said,” CK answers for me. “We do need to keep this in the family… under the circumstances.”
He glows with satisfaction. “I thought as much. I may need something back from you though, Father,” he remarks pointedly.
“That’s up to Liv. She has it,” he says shortly.
Three pairs of eyes land on me in various shades of surprise. I blink and say, “All in good time. First things, can we get settled?”
His eyes burn into mine at my refusal to give him what he wants, but he says, “Of course. Tatiana will show you to your rooms?” A smirk is attached to the question.
CK glowers back at him. “No, one will do,” he says and stalks past Lance, to the surprise of the three of us left to follow in his wake.
Halfway up the stairs, Lance says, “Oh, Lucretia.” I stop dead as CK grips my elbow. I turn. “Your room in the tower is still available, should you want it.” Evil black eyes bore into mine, proving a point after my refusal to give him his ring back.
Again, CK speaks for me, “I’m sure Tatiana can provide us with something more suitable.” He turns us both back around and forces me up the stairs.
We follow Tatiana down the main corridor as she leads us to a room at the end. Opening the door, she steps inside, and we follow. Looking around, I take it in. A lavish room with a sunken sitting area, millions of pillows and cushions everywhere, heavy drapes, that are, of course, closed, dark wood tables adorned with beautiful vases full of fresh flowers and turning in a circle, I catch sight of the bed, as do the other three.
CK grunts softly, while Devon looks at it in glee. It must be at least twice the size of a king-size bed. It is covered in black satin with mountains of pillows and is clearly made for sleeping more than two.