and my daughter, she must be steeped in our culture before we allow the elves access to her. They are our benefactors, but they may have to be reminded it is a contract, not an obligation. Finally, get our people training harder. Stage mock battles. Create a community competition. If this is a quest, the battle the prophet has foreseen will surely come to pass. We must be ready. No guardian will be left to stand on her own. We will be behind her when the Fates call.”
Chapter Nineteen
The most handsome and dangerous creature Charity had ever seen in her life stood two feet away, separated only by an invisible ward the dual-mages had erected. The last time she had stood this close to this vampire, he’d lunged forward to grab her, and she’d retaliated by beaming fake sunlight down on him. This time, however, her magic wasn’t up to par.
“It is so good to see you again,” Vlad said. His tailored suit, somehow not out of place despite the fact that they were in the middle of a forest, highlighted his perfect body. Even the guy’s hair was perfect. It was just too much for any one individual. It was annoying that he made it work. “I have missed our dealings.”
“You miss being barbecued?” Penny asked, and she was entirely serious. A point that brought bubbles of laughter from Charity’s middle.
A smile turned up Vlad’s lips. “I see our illustrious Arcana keeps the very best of company. Tell me, how is the mage game going for you, Miss Bristol?”
“Great,” Penny replied. “The Guild structure is really coming along. Our training is churning out some of the very best mages.”
“Yes, I know. I’ve purchased many of their spells—and their silence. Loyalty is so hard to come by these days, don’t you find?”
“Hello, pot,” she replied.
His smile didn’t seem to change, but suddenly it sent chills up Charity’s spine. “Yes, it does seem I have my own issues with loyalty. Quite the surprise.” He resumed his focus on Charity, so intense that it almost seemed like those around them dropped away. “You have my deepest apologies on your struggles to get this far. I never intended for you to come into harm’s way. I will not layer the issue in pretty words and lackluster excuses. Quite simply, I was outmaneuvered. My attention was elsewhere, and you were left exposed at the worst possible time. Trust me when I say that it will not happen again.”
His suave demeanor lifted, for just a second, and the exposed viciousness made her want to take a step back. Or blast him with her magic. His calm and collected mask settled on his handsome features once again.
“But let us talk of other things,” he said, his musical voice filling the tense moment. “Did you get my note?”
Her heart hammered and her palms started to sweat. “You mean…the one—”
“In your desk, yes. I’m glad you found it. I dared not leave it out for your father to find. It would’ve been ripped to shreds, along with all the pictures he must’ve found within the house. Your room was in a state. I figured that if I locked the drawer, it would deter his interest. I’m glad I was correct.”
“But…” She narrowed her eyes at him. “My room was like I left it.”
“Yes. I hope you don’t mind my tidying up. Your father is certainly a character. I didn’t think you’d want evidence of that in your personal space.”
“You…” Charity remembered the torn photograph that had been forgotten under her bed. No, not forgotten. Missed. “You cleaned my room?”
A small smile graced his face, but he didn’t comment. Obviously that was a yes.
What sort of person broke into someone’s room and cleaned it? Had he done it out of arrogance, to show her he could do what he pleased, or actual concern for her well-being? She couldn’t decide.
“You convinced my father that I wasn’t his,” she said, needing to lay out all the facts. If he lied here, she could better determine if he’d lied in the note.
“I did not convince him, no.” Vlad clasped his hands behind his back. “I laid out a timeline, highlighted some facts, and he put it together. It was a wonder he hadn’t figured it out before now. Although, I have to own—and I don’t think this will hurt your feelings, given his nature and the fact that he’s not blood related—he isn’t very bright.”