"Hm. Yes, I had a whole plan worked up. One where you would instantly recognize my genius and worship at my feet from here to eternity."
My snort of laughter startled me, and I opened my eyes to find Liam regarding me with amusement, a warmth in his face that sparked a flicker of heat in me.
"Too bad you ruined my plan."
"I'm known for that. I've got quite the reputation," I said with a small smirk.
His chuckle rumbled through the room. "What made you suspect she was playing you?"
I shrugged. "Hard to say. I just had a feeling that something wasn't right." I thought a moment. "It helped that I know Caroline. She wouldn't have snapped without reason. It was easy to see through her with that background."
He made a thoughtful sound. "I know many who would have fallen for her routine even with intimate knowledge of the other party. Hell, even Brax admitted they missed it, and he doesn't miss much."
Good to know I'd impressed them.
"Did you receive interrogation training in the military?" he asked, the question jolting me to alertness.
A laugh escaped me. "That's a fanciful spin on things."
His gaze told me he didn't share my amusement.
"Does my record show that training?" I asked, my face still crinkled in a slight smile.
"No, but I know that the military doesn't always put everything in the record, especially when you're on special assignment."
I was quiet a moment, lost in thought. "I'm afraid it's nothing as clandestine as that. I was combat camera, so I got good at observing people. Things happen fast downrange. The only way to get a shot is to know it’s happening before it actually happens. Also, since public affairs was usually spread thin, they had me interview the soldiers I went outside the wire with for news stories they could write up." I gave a negligent shrug. "Turns out I was good at it."
Liam tapped his fingers against his knee, his face thoughtful. "I think there's more to it than that, but we'll leave it for now."
I gave him a sardonic look. "Mighty kind of you."
Before he could respond with the teasing comment I could see brewing, Nathan stepped into the room. "That was entertaining. Who knew the baby was a natural?"
I looked at him, puzzlement on my face. It took me a moment to understand. "There are cameras in here."
And microphones if Nathan had heard the questioning. I should have picked up on it earlier when Brax mentioned something. I had just assumed his super hearing had been responsible.
"That's why we call it the interrogation room," Nathan said in a bright voice as he took a seat on the chair next to me.
Rick bounded in after him, his energy bouncing after him like an eager pet. He crashed into the couch next to Liam and took a seat. "What do we think? How long before Brax is forced to put her down or exile her? Two months? Three?"
"Why would you say that?" I asked.
Rick's lips curled up in a feline smile. "That woman is trouble with a capital T. Given half the chance, she'll upset the balance of the pack."
"He can't just kill her for that," I protested.
"He can if she crosses the line and her actions challenge his rule," Liam said in a soft voice.
"She's a brat, but that seems a little harsh," I said.
"Not really," Rick said. "I very much suspect the bitch manipulated her boyfriend into changing her. It's probably why Brax separated them and forbade contact. He was probably hoping to give the guy a chance to shake her influence off."
Rick seemed very sure of that assessment, and I couldn't argue after talking with the woman for a few minutes.
"So, why doesn't he just exile her?" I asked.
"He can't until her control is better," Liam said. "To do otherwise would risk the same problems he faces with Caroline."
"Corrective punishment isn’t likely to work on a person like that," Nathan said, sounding disinterested. "They're too busy blaming everyone else rather than taking a good look at the reason for their suffering."
I yawned, my jaw cracking with the force of it. Sleep tugged at me. I resisted, knowing I'd lose the battle soon.
"You lasted almost an hour past dawn. Congratulations." Liam stood.
"Better head to bed before you fall flat on your face again," Nathan said with a wicked grin. "Next time you might wake up with a few things drawn on your skin in permanent marker."
I pulled a face at him before I frowned and stood. He had a point. I had no idea how long I had before sleep became less of a choice and more of a reality.
"I'll escort you," Rick said, jumping to his feet with an energy I was jealous of.
Despite the power boost Thomas’s blood had given me, I was starting to drag, every movement taking a little bit more effort than the last.
Rick was quiet as we walked up the stairs, humming under his breath. I plodded next to him, grateful for the silence. Much of the night had been depressing. I still had no clue what to do and was too tired to think of something at this stage.
I was grateful when the door to my room came into sight. Rick touched my elbow, drawing me to a halt. His gaze was unfocused when I turned to him, and I hesitated, not sure if I should ask questions or leave him to his thoughts.
"Remember that the shadows can be your friend in times of desperation," he said, his vague words not making any sense.
"What does that mean?" I asked as he moved down the hall.
He turned around and gave me a drowsy smile. His eyes still had that same unfocused look. "You'll figure it out, or maybe you won't, and you'll die."
What the—was he high? Could vampires even get high?
Left in front of my door with more questions than answers, I shouldered it open and headed for the bathroom. The night called for a hot shower before I crawled between the sheets, and I had just enough energy left for one before I entered slumber land.
Hair still wet and wearing a pair of sleep shorts and tank top I’d found in the dresser, I crawled into a bed that was more comfortable than any I'd ever had before. I closed my eyes and drifted off in moments, for once grateful for sleep’s cool, dark protection.
*
A soft tap came from the door as I entered the kitchenette in my suite, my stomach growling and my fangs aching. I eyed the door with disgruntlement before calling, "Come in."
I didn't wait for whoever had disturbed me to respond, heading for the fridge and the cold meal that awaited me there.
I grabbed a glass from the cabinet and a bag of blood from the refrigerator, already dreading forcing the stuff down.
"Hello," a soft voice called from the doorway.
"Over here," I said, frowning at the blood. I'd never had this problem before being exposed to the stuff in Liam and Thomas’s veins. I threw the bag on the counter and looked up, surprised to see Sheila dithering in the doorway. "Sheila, what’re you doing here?"