* * *
“Tess, you’re not making any sense.” Jilly said, injecting a note of patience in her voice. “Slow down and start over. When did you see a gypsy? And why on earth didn’t you take me with you?”
Tessa took a deep breath, her hand tightening on her cell phone. Thinking about Madame Murga on the way home from church had freaked her out. And when that happened, what was a girl to do but call her best friend and vent? “I saw the gypsy ten years ago.”
“Ten years?” Jilly’s frown was obvious in her voice. “You went to see a gypsy when you were, what? Fifteen? Wow, I never would have thought that.”
“It wasn’t my idea, believe me. My cousin Lisa talked me into it. She was only thirteen at the time, but she was fascinated by the occult.”
“So, this gypsy told you an old man would come into your life and bring death and life? And you think she meant Andrei?”
“She said he’d come into my life in a moment of danger and that he would protect me. Doesn’t that sound like Andrei?”
“Well, yeah, in away, I guess it does.”
“In a way? In a way? Jilly, he saved my life twice.”
“So, you really believe that a gypsy foretold Andrei coming into your life?”
“I don’t know. I always thought fortune-tellers were fakes, you know?”
“So, maybe this one was for real.”
“She said he would bring death, which he did. I just have this freaky feeling about what the ‘life’ part might mean.”
“Maybe she just meant that he’d save your life?”
“Maybe.”
“But you’re not convinced?”
“I don’t know,” Tessa admitted, reluctant to mention the fortune-teller’s most recent prediction. “Maybe I’m just overreacting.”
“Well, who could blame you?” Jilly said. “It isn’t every day you almost fall in love with a vampire. That’s bound to shake up your equilibrium. Have you seen him lately?”
“He was here last night. He left four stakes on my coffee table.”
“That’s an odd gift,” Jilly said, laughing. “Most guys bring flowers, not dinner.”
“Wooden stakes, Jilly, so I could defend myself if I’m attacked again, since he won’t be around anymore.”
“Oh.” Jilly’s concern came through loud and clear.
“Thanks for letting me bend your ear.”
“No problem. That’s what friends are for. Try not to worry, Tess. Just stay away from Dinescu, be sure to stay inside after dark, and I’m sure you’ll be all right. Oh! And keep your windows closed and your door locked!”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Do you want to come over and spend the evening with me and Luke?”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m sure the two of you would rather be alone. Don’t worry about me. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to do my hair and my nails and just veg out on the sofa. I’ll see you at lunch tomorrow.”
“All right. Night, Tess. Call me if you need me.”
After ending the call, Tessa stared at her phone. Maybe she should have gone over to Jilly’s for a while. Spending time with her and Luke would help take her mind off vampires and other things she didn’t want to think about, like her attraction to Andrei and how much she missed him, even though she’d seen him just yesterday. His visit had been brief and not particularly pleasant. Even when they weren’t together, he was always in her mind. When she was with him, she felt . . . alive.
She thought of her visit to Madame Murga again.
“He will bring you death,” the fortune-teller had predicted . “And life.”
Chapter Nine
Katerina Glinin paced the floor, her long skirts whispering in her wake. She glanced occasionally at the young male vampire who huddled on the stone flagging in front of the hearth, his arms folded over his head. As if that would save him.
She paused in front of him. “Ilia, look at me.”
He did as bidden though obviously reluctant to meet her eyes.
Like a snake facing a rabbit, her gaze trapped his. “Tell me more about this woman whose blood enhances the strength of fledglings.”
“I don’t know any more, I swear it. All I know is what I’ve heard. Rumors, that’s all. I’ve never seen her.”
“Who told you these rumors?”
“Friends of mine. They told me they were going after her. I never heard from them again.”
“Do you think she killed them?”
He snorted his disdain. “A mortal female?”
“Where does this mortal live?”
“Cutter’s Corner. My friend didn’t tell me her name when he called me.”