Allegiance(20)

After a moment, I peeked up to see Mortimer nodding slowly, his mind somewhere else again. Was he … empathizing? Was that what all this was? That’s when it dawned on me. Mortimer didn’t drag me away from Bishop because he was annoyed. The entire situation pained him, igniting a compassionate side he had so successfully buried and had little desire to show, I’m sure.

Mortimer pushed open the door to my room and gave a casual wave forward, prompting me to enter. As I submitted, his eyes drifted over to my bed where Max lay stretched out, yellow irises resting lazily on us but not bothering to so much as lift his head. Mortimer snorted. “Look at what my vicious creation has become … You’ve turned him into a stuffed toy!”

“And an incredibly annoying one at that …,” I grumbled, earning a growl of disapproval from Max.

A tiny smile passed over Mortimer’s lips, so fleeting I almost missed it. “Well, I’m glad the giant mutt has served you better than he did me.” Again, another shocking admission coming from Mortimer. When the transfer of “ownership” of Max had happened—a bizarre and surprising event—Mortimer was, at first, livid but he seemed to have recovered rather quickly. Perhaps it was because, deep down, Mortimer didn’t want me to die, and he knew if Max was my constant shadow, it might help avoid that situation.

Mortimer turned to leave.

“You know,” I began, “I …”

“Yes?” Eyes like black coals peered down at me.

I knew what I wanted to say but was it wise? It didn’t matter, I decided. I knew that it was important to say for the simple fact that I meant it. “For what it’s worth … I hope Veronique picks you.” If she’s not tortured to death, I silently added, my lungs tightening.

His face was placid. He said nothing, just stared at me for a long moment until I wondered if I’d spoken or just thought the words. Then, with a curt nod, he disappeared.

And there goes the Mortimer I know and love … I pushed the door closed just as a yawn escaped. Though disappointed it had been Mortimer and not Caden walking me back to my room, at least now I understood why Caden wasn’t here in the first place. It gave me some small level of consolation.

“Who’s Lilly?” I asked Max as I scuttled into bed.

A vampire.

“I know that, Max,” I muttered, rolling my eyes at the ceiling. “But who is she and why does she hate Viggo so much?”

Really? Someone hates Viggo? Shocking …

I let out a loud sigh of exasperation. Clearly, Max was in no mood for anything beyond infuriating me. He was mad about my banter with Mortimer, no doubt. Still …“You’re lucky I need your warmth, dog. Keep your fleas to yourself.” I smiled with satisfaction at his responding grumble. Closing my eyes, I played back the night’s discoveries—this Lilly vampire, the ability to control a vampire, that weird déjà vu connection in the hallway. To top it off, the more-than-civil conversation I’d just had with a nine-hundred-year-old vampire who would’ve killed me only days ago. That last one allowed me a breath of relief. That was, until I remembered he was yet another person I was betraying with my secrets. Tighter and tighter the tension cinched around my organs, grabbing hold and squeezing until I was sure something would implode. Sleep finally came, just as the sky began to lighten outside, as I was wondering how long before my worries would seize my heart completely.

***

I woke to snowflakes drifting down from a blanket of gray clouds outside my window. I didn’t move right away, content to lay perfectly still and memorize the calm, magical scene, imagining that I was inside a snow globe of old world Paris. Calm and safe, free of aching muscles and throbbing neck wounds, toxic Tribe magic, and a looming war. I could handle living in that bubble. As long as Caden was in it … Caden. Why was it impossible to go five minutes without flashes of those jade eyes entering my mind, without wishing I could see him? Was this normal? How do people function? This was borderline obsessive!

I breathed deeply. That helped marginally. It also highlighted to me that, even with more than ten hours’ rest, I felt worse than I had yesterday. At least I hadn’t had another Veronique nightmare.

The bed jostled and creaked as a heavy weight eased off it. I know you’re awake. It’s past noon. I’ve been listening to your stomach rumble for the past hour, Max announced.

I didn’t hazard a move, even though Max’s announcement of the late hour surprised me.

Come on! You’ve barely eaten. You need to eat if you’re going to regain your strength.

I let out a small groan. Max was right, of course. My stomach growled like it was going to turn zombie on itself, looking for food.