Dark Exodus (The Order of Vampires 2)

Her body quaked with worry. Such decisions should not be rushed into.

“You could be hurt. Gravely injured. Without other immortals there to assist you—”

“I won’t get hurt. I can’t.” Cain shifted and glanced away, his face riddled with shame. “My pain is what links me to Annalise.”

“Then why risk it?”

“Because I’m certain I can take the time to hunt him and return in one piece. I won’t allow anything bad to happen to me. I won’t jeopardize Annalise and the baby.”

Eleazar pinched the bridge of his nose. “I do not pretend to understand this connection you share with a claimed mate. It’s unheard of.”

“These are tumultuous times.”

“I think it’s a bad idea,” Larissa blurted, unable to hold her tongue a moment longer. “Not only could you get hurt, but you could hurt Anna and the baby.” She blinked back unexpected tears. “What would I do if something happened to you, Cain?”

He grinned. “You have a mate now. Bishop King would protect you.”

She scoffed. “You two are suddenly friends?”

Cain laughed. “We’re a far cry from friends, but I trust he will take care of you. Where is Silus, by the way? Have you seen him, Bishop?” He paused and scowled at his wrist. “I stumbled across a patch of poison oak last night. Still itches…”

Eleazar’s eyes narrowed. “I can only permit you to hunt Isaiah if you give me your word that you will stay out of harm.”

“Done.”

“If at any time you doubt your success, return to the farm at once.”

“Fair enough.”

“And I expect you to return in one month with an update on your progress.”

“Fine.”

“Then we’re in agreement. Now, tell me what news you have of your father and why you stink of mortal children.”

Larissa’s anger faded as she listened to the trials Cain had faced over the past few weeks. As she learned what he’d done to help their father and how he vowed to protect the children of the murdered woman in the woods.

Eleazar went to his office to retrieve some extra cash for Cain’s journey, and while they were alone, she took her brother’s arm and smiled. “You used to be my hero. Now, I’ll have to share you with many.”

“I’m hardly a hero, Larissa.”

“Don’t do that, Cain. Don’t let the assumptions others make about you alter the perception you keep of yourself. You’re a male of honor and worth. And, as much as I hate to think of you in any sort of danger, you’re doing a brave and selfless thing.” She gave him a moment to process her words, then asked, “Are you scared?”

When he didn’t make a sarcastic comment or deny his fear, she understood he suffered some hesitation about the task ahead.

“A little.” He gathered her hands in his much larger ones and lowered his voice. “Promise you’ll check in on the children. I can’t help but think they’re our responsibility after our uncle killed their mother and father took away their grandmother. They have no one left.”

She would check on them often. “Do you think Father will return?”

Her brother swallowed and looked away. “He either bonded with his mate and will make a life with her, apart from his past, or he failed. All I know is that Clara was adamant that it was her time to die. She was very sick when they left, very close to death.”

Her jaw trembled as a tear fell from her lashes. She quickly swept it away. “Mother will be devastated.”

“No more than she already has been.”

“I will look in on her when I look in on the children. Perhaps there’s a reason for so much heartache, and we will all be surprised in the end.”

He pinched her chin and smiled. “You’ve always had a romantic mind, sister.” Cain studied her for a moment. “Are you truly happy with the match God has chosen for you?”

“Happy would be an understatement.”

“Then I’m happy for you.” He stood, and Eleazar returned with a thick envelope.

Eleazar slipped an arm around her and pressed a kiss to her hair. “That should be enough for anything you need.” There was a mutual distrust between the two, yet they seemed to form a momentary truce, perhaps on her behalf. “Be careful, and try to return as soon as you can.”

“Wait!” Larissa wasn’t ready to see him go. “Perhaps a vile of Cain’s blood would be wise. Then you could track him if he doesn’t return.”

Both men nodded in agreement, appearing relieved to have the additional sense of security. Eleazar owned a case with glass tubes, needles, and a tunicate. Cain sat patiently as he withdrew a sample of his blood and capped it off.

“I’ll keep this safe.”

They walked Cain to the front door, and she was surprised to see so much snow outside. “Be safe, Cain.”

Her brother nodded and hugged her tightly. “You do the same.”