“I wanted you to bring Ami here to keep her safe.” All had agreed Ami should not be teleported while pregnant. “And so I could tell you something in private in case you blew a gasket.”
Seth relayed the events of the night.
“Lisette didn’t awaken after Melanie infused her with David’s blood?”
“No.”
“Shit.” Marcus paced away. “How could vampires have gotten their hands on the only drug that can sedate us?”
“That’s what we’re trying to piece together.”
“And who the hell is Zach?”
Seth didn’t really know how to answer that one. “You might say he’s my cousin.”
“You have a cousin?”
“For all intents and purposes, yes.”
“Okay. Why have I never heard of him? Immortal Guardians that age—”
“Because he isn’t an Immortal Guardian.”
Marcus studied him. “He isn’t one of us?”
“No.”
“You don’t like him.”
“I don’t trust him.”
“And he’s at David’s house. Right now.”
“Yes.”
“Then I’m sure as hell not taking Ami back there.”
“Zach won’t harm Ami.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because they know each other.”
Marcus’s eyes narrowed. “Know each other how?”
“Ami has met with him secretly on half a dozen occasions up on David’s roof.”
“What?”
“The anger flooding your face right now is why I’m telling you this privately.”
“You’re damned right I’m angry! What the hell?”
“Marcus, calm down. Ami would never cheat on you—”
“I’m not worried about Ami cheating on me. Ami loves me, and I trust her. I’m worried about why this asshole you don’t trust has been luring her up onto the roof. And while she’s pregnant? Who the hell is this guy? What does he want?”
“He’s one of her strays,” Seth attempted to explain.
“One of her strays?”
“Like Bastien,” he clarified. “You know how tenderhearted Ami is. The months of torture she endured at the hands of Emrys left her full of sympathy for anyone or anything that suffers at the hands of others. It’s why she took to Bastien so swiftly when I pretty much imprisoned him in my home in England in an attempt to win him over to our side. She knew he was in pain, both mentally and physically. And it’s why she loves your manic cat.”
“Slim isn’t manic. Not all the time, anyway.”
At least Marcus seemed to be listening. “The same sympathy drew her to Zach. Zach didn’t lure her up onto the roof. She sensed his pain and went looking for him.”
“What pain?”
“He was riddled with wounds the first night she met him.”
“If he isn’t an Immortal Guardian and doesn’t hunt vampires, how was he injured?”
“That’s a story for another time.”
Marcus considered that for a minute. “Fine. Why didn’t Ami say anything to me?”#p#分页标题#e#
“Gee, I don’t know, could it have anything to do with your inclination to be overprotective?”
Since Marcus couldn’t protest the accusation, he remained silent.
“You don’t even like it when she spends time with Bastien, Marcus. And there really isn’t that much to tell. Lisette has been worried about Ami and, while watching over her, saw the two together on the roof. I read it in Lisette’s thoughts a few months ago.”
“You could have said something,” Marcus grumbled.
“It wasn’t my place. And, as I said, there isn’t much to tell. The meetings never lasted long. There was very little, if any, conversation. Ami just offered Zach a lollipop and kept him company for a few minutes, then went back inside. Plus, Zach told her I wouldn’t be pleased to learn he had been visiting, and she knew I would read it in your thoughts if she told you about him.”
Marcus’s brow furrowed with uncertainty. “You aren’t angry that she kept it from us?”
“I’m more angry at myself for making her feel she had to.”
“I hate it when you’re right.”
“Now, when I tell her what happened tonight, her concern will be twofold. She’ll fear for Zach and Lisette and she’ll fear your jealousy and anger.”
“There won’t be any jealousy or anger.”
“Good. And don’t stir up trouble with Zach when you meet him. I’ll handle Zach myself.” Although he sure as hell hadn’t handled him well thus far.
When Marcus nodded, Seth clapped him on the back.
Lisette? Please, answer me, love, and tell me you’re all right.