Then again, was there a part of him that wasn’t primal?
Yes. I’d seen a glimpse of him only moments ago when he asked if I was injured. The concern seemed genuine.
“I have a place nearby. We can talk privately there.”
My skin tingled at the prospect.
He kept his arm looped through mine and I couldn’t decide whether he was being gallant or forceful.
We arrived at a row of white terraced houses with shiny black doors except for one on the end which boasted a shiny red door. No need to guess which one we were about to enter.
“Mine is the one with the red door.”
Shocker.
Prince Callan might not be a blood relation of House Lewis, but he’d definitely become one of them.
“Do you really not mind being called a hostage?” The question slipped out before I had a chance to stop it.
“It depends.” He climbed the steps and produced a key from his pocket.
“Do you think of yourself that way?”
He seemed surprised by the question. “Once upon a time maybe, but not anymore. I’m no longer a child. I’m a powerful vampire in my own right. If I wanted to leave, I would.”
“If you left, you’d violate the terms of the treaty.” If memory served, he was bound to House Lewis for another ten years before he would be permitted to return to his birth family.
The prince lingered on the doorstep. “Since you’ve been so agreeable coming here without a fight, I’ll tell you a secret. House Lewis would be perfectly fine with me returning to Scotland. It’s only the fear of a public outcry that prevents them from allowing it. The vampires in the city would scream bloody murder. That’s the trouble with immortals. Long memories.”
Yes, that was the problem.
“What is this place?” I asked.
“Somewhere safe.”
“This is where you keep your mistresses, isn’t it?”
“I don’t keep anyone. They come and go as they please.”
“You mean they come and go as you please.”
He unlocked the door and pushed it open. The moment I crossed the threshold, my magic surged and I clamped down. Hard.
“I like having a place to go where I can’t be bothered,” he said, oblivious to my visceral response. “There are no servants here. No one making demands of me.”
I couldn’t say that about my flat. There was always an animal in need of something.
The first thing I noticed was the black and white tile floor. It had to be original to the house.
I tapped my boot on the tile. “This is pre-Eternal Night.”
“So it is. Well spotted.”
My gaze traveled around the foyer, taking in the other features. Original wainscoting. A tray ceiling.
“Wow. You found a real diamond in the rough.” The city was filled with once-grand houses that had fallen on hard times.
“I certainly have,” he said.
I felt his eyes on me. Trying to use your vampire mojo on me, are you? I’ve got two words for you, buddy. Not. Interested.
I kept my focus on the interior, refusing to give him the satisfaction. “I’ve never seen anywhere so well preserved.”
“I don’t have the same desire to destroy and rebuild as the rest of House Lewis. My father taught me to value the past.”
“You mean King Glendon.” Otherwise known as the Terror of Terra.
He nodded.
“You call both kings ‘Father.’”
“Because they both are.”
We entered the parlor room just as Prince Maeron was entering the same room from another entryway. He carried a bowl in his hands.
Prince Callan arched an eyebrow. “Brother? I didn’t expect to see you here.”
The dark-haired prince cut a quick glance at me and grinned. “Clearly. Is this part of your knightly service?”
Preternaturally fast, the Demon of House Duncan flew across the room and grabbed his brother by the neck, pinning him against the wall. The bowl clattered to the floor, spilling its contents. Nuts and berries scattered and rolled across the floor and under the furniture.
“Do not disrespect her again,” he snarled.
Maeron flashed an uneasy smile and held up his hands in acquiescence. “It was only a joke, brother. No need for violence.”
The Highland Reckoning squeezed his brother’s neck. “Apologize to the lady.”
“I don’t think he can breathe let alone apologize,” I interjected. I didn’t want to be caught in the middle of a domestic disturbance between feuding royal vampires.
Callan released his grip and stepped away. His brother rubbed the sore spot on his neck.
“My apologies. I meant no disrespect.”
Now probably wasn’t a good time to ask them to stop calling me ‘Sir.’
“Why are you here?” Callan demanded.
He flopped on the sofa. “Mother and Father are unbearable at the moment. They pretend to be unconcerned by Davina’s absence, but the delusion is weighing on them both. I decided to seek refuge somewhere calmer and more comfortable.”
“You have your own place,” Callan pointed out.
“Oh, I know, but I like yours better.” He folded his hands behind his head and settled against the cushions. “Good thing I’m here or I would’ve missed the meeting. You should really plan these things in advance. You know how busy my schedule is.”
“This was impromptu. Miss Hayes encountered an ambitious wizard near the Gherkin.”
“Ah, I see. And you’ve come here to regroup.” He motioned to the loveseat adjacent to the sofa. “I’m intrigued. Do sit and tell me all about it.”
Callan and I squeezed awkwardly on the loveseat. I thought it was interesting that he didn’t insist on sharing the sofa with his brother. It was probably a decision designed to torture me. He knew how uncomfortable I’d be seated so close to him. So close, in fact, that our thighs were touching. Fabulous.
“No new leads on Davina then?” Maeron asked.
“Not yet,” I said.
Maeron inhaled deeply, as though using his breath to draw a thought to the surface. “What about the other Houses like Peyton or Kane?”
Callan’s gaze flicked to his brother. “What about them?”
“Do we not think there’s a chance they’re involved? A mysterious stone and a missing heir to House Lewis? If you ask me, it’s a power play.”