by K. M. Shea
I was shocked. If Killian was being honest, he’d just told me the most effective way to kill his kind. Not him, of course—he only drank from pouches anyway.
“How have you been able to hide this from the rest of us supernaturals?” I asked. “Or am I really just that out of touch?”
“It’s not something we advertise,” Killian said. “And previously it was why we often killed or imprisoned those we fed from—a horrible reflection on us, but the honest truth.” He sighed. “We’ve learned to cover it to a certain extent by limiting how much a blood donor sees. After a vampire feeds, in most Families the blood donor is immediately removed by other vampires. But…”
“That still leaves you open to attack from other vampires,” I realized in a flash of insight. “Because even if the blood donors don’t know, the vampires involved will, which means planning a rebellion or war is a lot easier to pull off if you can get a feeding schedule.”
“Correct.”
Slowly, my brain restarted, booting up like an ancient computer. “So…that’s why you don’t feed off blood donors.” I could almost hear the “turning on” noise in my mind. “The vulnerability?”
“Correct,” Killian said. “A number of ancient and great vampires throughout history were killed after feeding. It’s one of the most common ways for a truly powerful vampire to die.”
“Huh.” I picked at a fuzzy on my bedcover. “And that’s why you say you don’t trust Celestina or Josh like I thought. Because you don’t trust them enough to stand guard for you while you drink.”
“Exactly.”
I stared blankly at the wall, struggling with the immensity of what Killian had just shared with me.
“You’re quiet,” Killian said.
“I’m sorry, I’m just trying to process this. It’s…this is huge.”
“It’s satisfactory proof, then?”
“Yeah, for sure.” Guilt prickled at my conscience as I slouched in my bed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to tear such an important secret about your whole race from you.”
“It’s fine.” Killian’s voice was surprisingly calm. “You’re a virtuous idiot after all. You won’t even share this information with your House, and I’m aware you’ll die before you share the news—your honor is too overwhelming for you to do anything else.”
I was silent for a few moments. “You really don’t trust Celestina or Josh to guard you?”
“They would never betray me,” Killian said with confidence. “But that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t accidentally reveal a detail that could eventually spark my downfall. I have a lot of enemies—and some of them are vampires. It’s natural that I have many who would love to kill me if given the chance, so it is better not to.”
“It’s still pretty sad,” I said. “I hope one day you’ll feel differently about this.”
“It is what it is.”
“Well, I’ll call us even,” I said. “Thanks for trusting me, Killian. I won’t tell anyone. And I hope this means next time you’ll tell me when you have a plan that involves my participation?”
“Yes.”
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see. “Good,” I said. “That’s all I really wanted.”
“You are a simultaneously complex but simplistic creature.”
“I’m a wizard, it’s in my nature.” I glanced at the clock—it was a little after six. I was officially late for practice. “Are you going to be okay?”
“You seem to be under the illusion that telling you this has somehow wounded me.” His voice was amused. “Does that mean now is a suitable time to bargain?”
“Bargain for what?”
“Your bu—”
“Okay, and we’re done,” I interrupted him, guessing where he was going to take the conversation in an effort to prove just how fine he really was. “I get the picture. Thanks for calling, Killian. I’ll see you at our next practice session in three days?”
“Perhaps sooner,” Killian said.
I pulled the phone back to stare at it for a moment again. “Huh?” I said. “What do you mean?”
“Good morning, Hazel,” Killian said before he hung up on me.
I stared at my phone some more, then shook my head. “I guess he wouldn’t be a vampire if he wasn’t so mysterious,” I grumbled.
I clawed my way out of my bed and almost skidded out as I hurriedly threw on workout clothes. Although I rushed into a normal morning, I was well aware of the warm feeling that cushioned my heart.
Killian really did trust me. And I was pretty sure this was going to be a turning point for his Family, and my House.
The following day, we House Medeis wizards had just finished our early evening practice and were in the process of getting cleaned up for dinner when the doorbell rang.
I paused in the middle of yanking a clean shirt on. “House Medeis…who is it?” I cautiously asked.
I felt magic swirl around the property and return, bringing back the familiar and enviably cool sensation the House used to represent vampires.
“Huh.” I finished tugging the shirt on and stepped into my slippers. “Did Gavino invite someone over?” I slipped into the hallway as the doorbell rang again. “I’ll get it!” I shouted loud enough for my family to hear.
“’kay!” Someone—Momoko, I thought—shouted back.
I shuffled down the stairs and made it all the way to the front door where I swapped my slippers for shoes and opened the door, revealing a clutch of approximately twenty vampires crowding the sidewalk, with Killian at the front.
Chapter Thirteen
Hazel
“Good evening.” His voice echoed across the empty lawn. “May we come in?”
I stomped my way down to the sidewalk. “What the heck are you doing here?” I glanced at his retinue, who were carrying duffle bags and various power tools.
“You said to tell you next time I had a plan that involved you.” Killian shrugged, his shoulders barely moving. “It’s next time.”
“And what does that mean?” I unlocked the gate that blocked the brick path that trooped up to the House.
Celestina, armed with a drill, stared expectantly at me over Killian’s shoulder.
“Yeah, yeah, come in.” I waved the group in, but grabbed Killian by the arm. “Except you—you have to explain this.”
“As you very well know, I am paranoid,” he said.
“Uh-huh, I’m following you.”
“So it makes me…apprehensive when you are away from Drake Hall,” Killian said.
I pressed my lips together. “I live in a magic House with nearly thirty adult wizards, and you’re apprehensive?”
“Would you rather I say it makes me unbearably anxious?” Killian smirked, looking calm and controlled—the exact opposite of what he supposedly felt. “And paranoia often doesn’t make sense,” he added.
The Drake vampires had slowly made their way across the lawn and were loitering outside the House—although they eyed it, and one or two of them were taking notes on sleek tablets.
“So, what, you’re moving in?” I asked.
Killian perked. “That’s an option?”
“No!”
He gave me a look of disapproval. “You know you are perfectly welcome to move into Drake Hall, but it seems wizards are not as good hosts as us vampires.”
“You’re paranoid, so what do you intend to do?” I eyed Julianne, who was measuring the front porch with a measuring tape.
“I’ll have my people test it. I’d like to know what you’re dealing with and shore up whatever weak spots we find.”
“Define shore up.”
“I have some wards I intend to install—that sort of thing.”
“Oh.” I blinked and relaxed slightly. “That’d be nice.”
Killian raised his eyebrows. “You don’t object?”
“Nah.” I spun around to shout at his vampires. “Just don’t do anything to the House without asking me first—it will get offended!”
&nb
sp; Josh gave me a bow. “As you wish, Miss Hazel.”
The vampires scattered. A few went around each side of the House, two retreated back to the gate and started walking the property line, one trailed off to carefully inspect the gates, and Celestina and a few others had taken it upon themselves to start scaling the outside of the House, climbing up the walls and perching on any outcropping they came across to take notes.
“I am pleasantly surprised.” Killian stood so close his arm brushed mine as he watched his people work. “I thought you’d object.”
“To free wards? Never—those things are expensive.” I smiled indulgently at my House. “Besides, it’s probably better if you experience for yourself how well-protected we really are if you are that ‘anxious’.”
Killian made a noise of amusement. “Your doubt wounds me.”
“I’m totally sure.”
The House sent a pulse of magic that rippled beneath my feet, stirring waves of curiosity and worry.
I crouched down, and patted the lawn. “It’s okay, House Medeis,” I murmured. “They’re friends.”
I watched Josh use a sword as a yardstick to measure a window, and I suddenly remembered I was not the only resident of House Medeis. “Shoot—I’ve got to warn everyone!”
I sprinted across the lawn, jumped up the porch stairs, and flung the front door open. “Hey guys, we have some vampire visitors! No cause for alarm, okay?”
“How splendid.” Great Aunt Marraine waddled out of the kitchen with a warm smile. “Have Joshua and Miss Celestina returned—my stars.” Her eyes widened when she saw the vampires sweeping the property.
“Killian brought a crew here,” I said. “They’re checking our defenses for us. Could you tell the others?”
“Yes, of course.” Great Aunt Marraine pursed her lips, and for a moment I worried she was upset with me for letting so many vampires in. “This is quite the problem, Adept,” she said, confirming my fears. “I don’t know if we have enough blood packs for everyone!”
I sagged in relief and laughed. “It’ll be fine.”
She shook her head. “This is a sign that we should increase our blood delivery order. Although it’s possible we may end up wasting some blood packs then if we don’t often have visitors of a vampiric nature…”
“It’s fine,” I assured her. “I’ll take whatever ones are almost expired to Drake Hall and feed them to Killian.”
“I am glad I can be your garbage disposal.” Killian’s dry voice came from directly behind me.
“Sounds fun!” Great Aunt Marraine said. “I’ll leave you kids to it and go tell the others.” She winked at me with a lot more suggestion than I liked, and made for the main staircase.
“Why did she wink?” Killian asked, his breath stirring my hair.
“I have no idea.” He was so close I almost smacked into him when I turned around. “Yeah, so I wanted to ask about the power tools. What are they for?”
“Weak spots.”
“Ah.” I awkwardly rubbed the back of my neck. “Yeah, see that’s the thing about having a magical House. As long as I’m doing my job it can self-repair for the most part.”
“Oh?”
Celestina and Josh appeared behind Killian’s shoulder, joining us in the front hallway. “Your Eminence,” they murmured.
Killian glanced back at them. “Did you find something?”
“No,” Celestina said. “We wanted to procure permission to conduct our search inside as well.”
“Yeah, go for it,” I said.
Josh nodded and retreated back to the porch. “We have permission to enter,” he shouted.
“You were saying the House is self-repairing?” Killian asked.
“Yes,” I said. “It’s because of the magic in it—it renews the House. That’s why it needs an Adept—the Adept keeps the magic flowing and provides extra power. In return the House is capable of magic wizards can’t normally perform on their own.”
“If it’s damaged, how fast does it repair itself?” Killian asked.
I frowned a little as I searched my memory. “You know, I’m not sure. I never really thought about it.”
“Then we ought to test it.” Killian pulled a handgun from its holster, which was hidden by his suitcoat.
“What? No!” I leaped toward him and tried to push the gun back under his jacket.
Killian easily peeled my hands off. “It’s something you should be aware of.” He racked his gun, pulling the slider back to load a bullet into the chamber. “For safety’s sake.”
“You just want to try shooting the House to see if it will react,” I hissed.
“Perhaps,” he acknowledged. “I haven’t had the pleasure of actually seeing House magic in such close quarters.” He narrowed his eyes. “I am very anxious to see if it’s worth all the sweat and blood you have pushed into this ancient place.”
Yeah, that was pretty rich considering he was probably older than the House. But obviously, he wasn’t going to give up.
“Fine. It’s your head on the line.” I held my hands up and backed off. “But the House has a personality of its own, Killian. You really don’t want to tick it off.”
“Is that so?” Killian said in a factual tone. He flicked off his handgun’s safety and nonchalantly shot the floor.
Slivers of wood sprayed the air, and instantly the ground parted beneath Killian’s feet, sending him plunging into the basement. The wood floor sealed up behind him, repairing the bullet hole, making it look as if nothing had happened.
I turned to Celestina. “Please allow me to express my congratulations on becoming the new Drake Family Elder.”
Celestina stiffened in alarm. “You believe the House will kill him?”
“Nah.” I shook my head and laughed. “It probably has him locked in a closet somewhere in the basement. But he’s not going to get out until it’s no longer quite so mad at him. Ahh, well. Serves him right.” I folded my hands behind my head and stretched out my shoulders as I wandered in the direction of the kitchens. “I wonder what we’re having for dinner…”
Celestina hurried after me. “Do I have permission to search the basement for His Eminence?” Her voice was tight with alarm.
“Celestina, you can chill,” I said. “The House won’t kill him. I invited you guys onto the property, and it knows better than to murder my guest.”
Celestina glanced worriedly back down the hall.
“If you try and help him it’s only going to make the House worse,” I said. “Besides, he asked for it.”
She briefly furrowed her eyebrows. “You swear to me he’s fine?”
“He’s safe.” I pressed my hand against a wooden doorframe, confirming my guess, as I swung into the homey kitchen. “I’m positive he wouldn’t define his current status as fine, though.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s put it this way. One time when I upset the House, it re-routed a gutter and dumped stale rainwater on me.” Something banged deep in the basement, and I nodded. “Yep. He’s safe alright.”
“Very well.” Celestina still looked a little worried, but she offered me a pale smile. “In that case I better continue with our testing.”
“Good luck,” I said. “Come back here if you get hungry for human food—and I think we have a few of Gavino’s blood packs to spare,” I said.
Celestina nodded and left the kitchen, almost colliding with Gavino on his way in.
“Giving my food away, are you?” Gavino grinned. He leaned against a countertop and winked.
“Yep. So do you wanna make a bet how long the House will manage to keep Killian hostage?”
There was another bang below our feet—I’m pretty sure it was the sound of another bullet firing.
Gavino didn’t even blink. “Nope,” he said. “Not interested at all. If I place a winning bet, I’m pretty sure His Eminence will be quite offended.”
I cackled and affectionately patted the House, which seemed to purr in response.
>
There was a gigantic crash that shook the floor a little, but the House seemed pretty smug, so I was betting Killian Drake—the most powerful vampire in the area—was still stuck.
Well, he wanted to know exactly how safe House Medeis was. This was an excellent way for him to find out.
About an hour later, Killian emerged from the basement. I wasn’t surprised to see he looked barely disheveled, and not noticeably meeker—but the House is magical, not a miracle-worker I suppose.
“Did you have a nice time testing the House?” I asked.
Killian straightened his suitcoat. “It’s suitable enough, I suppose.”
I cracked a smile. “I believe you that you came just to test our defenses.”
Killian scoffed. “Of course that’s why I am here. Or do you presume to believe the ancient prejudice about my people and dark, damp corners, which would mean I enjoyed crawling around the dirty basement?”
The House creaked ominously.
Killian narrowed his eyes—which were an ominous, shiny black color—at the wall opposite him. “Just try it,” he taunted.
I patted a door as I passed it, taking a few steps closer to him. “He doesn’t mean it,” I told my House.
Killian stiffened and looked prepared to run his mouth, so I was quick to interrupt. “There was a possibility you came out here just to nose around a House. I’m sure plenty of wizards will see it that way and theorize you’re trying to find a weakness you can exploit.”
“Houses already have dreadfully huge weaknesses,” Killian said. “They are called wizards—such a pathetic bunch. But I suppose House Medeis would be far more difficult given the firepower of your people.” Killian thoughtfully rubbed his jaw, then flicked his eyes at me. “But this is hardly my first time in a House.”