**
Leaning against the closed door, Declan tried desperately to eavesdrop on what was happening in the room.
Charles had such interest in his Lena, it made Declan uneasy. Though he was not aware of any circumstances that would allow Charles to take Lena for himself, Charles was notorious for going against his own traditions if it pleased him to do so.
He was also notorious for his inquisitive nature. If Lena was not careful, she would divulge information that she should not. She had committed many offenses, but might not realize what would incur the wrath of the Vampire King.
Foremost, if Charles found out she told that human what they truly were…
Declan inched closer to the door, trying to drown out the low hum of chatter from the clan of Charles’s family behind him.
Only seconds passed before Ansell, Charles’s faithful Servant found Declan and led him away from the door, as if he had been ordered to keep an eye on him.
Evidently, no one was allowed to listen in. Anything could be happening in that room. Not that Declan could have done anything to help if something was happening, but the not knowing was agony.
“How have you been, Ansell?” Declan asked, hoping to be able to hear even a little as long as he stayed as close to the door as Ansell’s considerable size would allow.
The giant was nearly seven feet tall, and as broad as the doorway. If Declan stared straight ahead, he would be looking at the thicket of black hair on his exposed chest.
“I am well. Thank you for asking,” he replied in a heavy German accent.
Most vampires were able to adapt their speech to the region they lived and to their family. It was incredible how easy it was for them, especially considering their lack of contact with the humans. Charles, though he was the oldest vampire in North America, was even able to converse naturally, using common dialect for the northeast, where he chose to keep his family. Colin had always had trouble sounding informal in the English tongue.
This was probably why he himself spoke so formally, Declan realized.
Ansell, despite his size and willingness to liberate a vampire of its limbs if it pleased his Master, could be considered cordial. This amiable quality, Declan thought, was why Charles chose him to be his Servant, a position of great respect and power. He looked one way, and acted in a completely different way. Charles and his fascination with inconsistencies.
“Has Charles given thought to adding new members to his family?” Declan asked, keeping his tone clear and unaffected.
“My King has not. He appears content with the family he already has.”
Declan inched closer, stood on his toes, and whispered, “Have you considered taking a consort?”
This was the normal script for interacting with members of another vampire family. If any vampire was without a mate, it was customary to ask when they might take one.
“I will take a consort when my King wishes.”
“Of course,” Declan inched forward again, but still could not hear a word from inside the room.
Declan imagined all the terrible things that could be transpiring behind that locked door. Would he know if Lena were gone? Though he believed he would be able to feel it, Declan feared her being dead and him never knowing.
It was ridiculous, and irrational. He was aware. He sensed her in the manor, he tracked her around that campus. They were connected. If she were gone, surely that would be gone with her.
Declan centered his attention on Lena’s feelings. At that moment, she was not overly excited and was not panicked. There had been times when she spoke to Colin alone that she was far more upset than she was right now.
Instead of putting him at ease, her calm worried him.
Coldness coursed through his body and he inched forward without picking up his feet, though he knew on some level his actions were not going unnoticed.
“You need to move back,” Ansell said, not losing his friendly tone. But he crossed his arms, and leaned forward, forcing Declan to retreat.
Ansell was not stupid. He knew what Declan was doing all along. Yet he had been so nice about it. Declan had to admit, the inconsistencies of the vampire were intriguing.
“Lena is mine. You must understand.”
“I do,” the German giant nodded slightly. “My King will make the right decision.”
Declan wanted to roll his eyes as he had seen Lena do so many times since he transformed her. It was a gesture he had never seen her use when she was human.
But he knew Ansell was only being true to his King. He did not know what Charles would do any more than Declan did. He followed blindly, because that was what a Servant did.
There was no getting around him, though, and no convincing him to think anything different. So Declan knew there was no reason to continue trying.
“You are a good Servant, Ansell,” Declan offered, and took an extra step into the crowd of waiting vampires behind him.
Though he did not say anything more, there was a distinct look of pride on the giant’s face. It was wise to keep a pleasant acquaintance with Charles’s Servant. It may well prove beneficial in the future, Declan thought.
If there was a future.
Harsh Light of Day Page 33