Karma's Stake by L.A. Boruff & Helen Scott & L.A. Boruff

Author:L.A. Boruff & Helen Scott & L.A. Boruff [Carter, Lacey & Scott, Helen & Boruff, L.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Phantom Pen

14

Emma

* * *

“You’re absolutely fascinating,” Vance said as he opened the front door. He’d just settled my wrap on my shoulders. We’d stayed around after dinner, sipping brandy with the other vampires, until I’d stifled a yawn to hopefully give Vance the hint that I was ready to go.

It’d taken three yawns before he’d finally gotten it. And finally, we were on our way back to my house.

We headed out to his limo and his driver opened the door at our approach. He took my hand and helped me in, then climbed in beside me. The brandy was warm in my belly, and I felt relaxed, but I'd been careful not to drink too much. I might have been reassured that I was safe with him, but I also wasn't about to just be stupid.

"How did you like everyone?" He asked, and I realized that while I’d been watching the pretty landscape fly by, he'd been watching me.

"They were all lovely. I mean, I haven't known about the supernatural for very long, so most of what I knew about vampires I learned from movies and books, but they weren't what I’d expected at all."

"How so?"

I thought for a moment, choosing my words with care. "They were almost... human." A laugh bubbled up from my throat. "I mean, there was more tension when the other clans were at the table. But with just your clan, you felt more like a family."

He nodded, a smile teasing his lips. "Yes, Clan Dusk is the poorest and least respected, so there's often jealousy from them at these sort of gatherings. Clan Descent is involved in a lot of the... under belly in Mystic Hollow. They run most of the night clubs, gambling rings, and have ties to most of those types of establishments in the large cities in all the states around us. I like both clans well enough, but they are more like distant relatives, while my own clan is like my family."

"I could feel that," I admitted, and I could. The instant it was just his clan, some of the pretense fell away. There was more laughter, more personal stories, and it felt like everyone was trying to make sure I was included. It was definitely not the worst party I'd attended.

He seemed pleased. "I'm glad. And what did you think of our suspects?"

"That's a little trickier to answer," I told him, frowning as I thought about them. "They were a bit hard to read. All of them seemed guilty though, and all of them seemed like they wanted their leader dead."

"You're correct," he said, again looking oddly pleased.

I continue, speaking my thoughts aloud. "Dreven seemed older, perhaps more stable, but grouchy. I didn't detect a single positive thing about the man, although I suspect if he wanted to kill his leader, he would have done it in a more subtle way than what we found. I haven't entirely eliminated him, but he doesn't seem the top suspect."

He smiled. "I would tend to agree.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.