Leading Elena to the corridor outside the office, Venom took a sentinel position by the door.
She knew without asking that Illium was around somewhere—there were never less than two of the Seven with her when Raphael was away from the Refuge. It irritated her, more than irritated her. But facts were facts. She"d regained her strength, honed her skills, but she was no archangel, and the dagger threats aside, Michaela was still in the Refuge. Whatever softness the female archangel had in her heart for the young, she had none for Elena.
The last time Elena had spoken to Ransom, he"d told her the vampires were now laying bets on her living long enough to even attend Lijuan"s ball, much less survive it.
“You know how your head was wanted on a silver platter? Well, the reward"s been tripled for anyone who brings Michaela not only your head, but both your hands as well.”
Grabbing the phone as soon as she reached the office, she said, “Sara?”
“Ellie.” Sara"s voice was strangely accented—a mix of worry and anger. “I"ve got your father waiting on another line.”
Her hand tightened on the phone. Jeffrey Deveraux had pretty much called her a whore at their last meeting. “What does he want?”
“Something"s happened.” A pause. “I could tell you, but this time, I think he has the right.”
Frowning, Elena nodded though Sara couldn"t see her. “Transfer the call. Let"s get it over with.”
175
REB
She wouldn"t let him hurt her, she vowed. The man who"d fought for her right to see her sisters, to say good-bye, was long gone, and she was through with being wounded by the bastard who"d taken his place.
Sara didn"t waste any time. A hiss of air and then silence. “Yes?” Elena said, unable to call him father.
“You need to get back to New York. This is connected to your work.” The last word was full of the same distaste that had flavored any mention of her skills as a hunter-born by her father as long as she could remember.
And now he thought her a vampire. It was a wonder he was deigning to speak to her at all. Her hand tightened impossibly further. “What?”
A pause that hummed with things long unsaid. “Your mother"s grave was violated last night.”
Lijuan. An icy anger uncurled in Elena"s gut. “Did they take her?”
“No.” A curt word. “The perpetrator was disturbed in the process by a vampire who appears to belong to Raphael.”
Her knees threatened to crumple as relief tumbled through her. Of course Raphael had put guards on her family"s graves after the gift Lijuan had sent her. Bracing herself against the desk, she fought to keep her tone even. “Maybe it"s time you followed Mama"s wishes to have her body cremated and her ashes scattered on the winds.”
“So I can fly,chérie.”
That had been Marguerite"s response when Elena had questioned her after overhearing her talking to Jeffrey about what she"d want him to do if she died before him.
“There"ll be no need for it if you can keep your friends away from her.” Each word was hard, designed to cut, to bruise.
Flinching, she said, “There"s every need—but then, you"ve never known how to keep promises.” She hung up before he could say anything else, her hand trembling as she lifted it to her mouth.
The door opened behind her the next instant, and she knew without turning that Raphael had come home for her. “They didn"t touch her?”
“They didn"t even get within touching distance of the headstone.” Strong hands on her shoulders, pulling her back against a warm wall of a chest.
“My father made it sound like they"d dug her up.” She closed her hands over his. “Why didn"t 176
REB
you tell me?”
“I heard in transit.” A kiss pressed to her cheek. “I wanted to tell you in person—I didn"t expect that Jeffrey would have the resources to find out so quickly.”
“My father knows everyone there is to know.” Both legal and not, though he"d slap her for implying the latter. “The one who tried to get to my mother"s grave. Were your men able to catch him?”
“Yes.” A quiet acknowledgment that made the hairs on the back of her neck rise. “He was reborn.”
She sucked in a breath. “He had enough of a mind to carry out the orders on his own?”
“It appears he was very newly reborn.” Raphael slid his hands down her arms, then off, as he walked to open the balcony doors. “They do not speak, but Dmitri swears there was a plea for mercy in his eyes when he was caught.”
“He wanted to live?”
“No.” He held out a hand.
She took it and he led her out into the cool breeze of the balcony. They stood side by side, their wings touching in an intimacy she"d allow no one else. “Why didn"t he run, commit suicide when he had the chance?”