Blood and Blade (Goddess with a Blade #6) - Lauren Dane Page 0,44

had over four centuries of life as a Vampire under his belt. He’d either get home in time, or stay at his parents’ house until sunset.

Rowan figured that’s where he’d gone. To be sure his father had gotten home safely and to...that’s where she got a little fuzzy. It wasn’t like she had a lot of experience with this stuff. She doubted there’d be an overt show of emotion from father or son. But it would be there, just under the surface. Maybe he needed his mom or a hug?

Yeah. Maybe he just made sure his dad got home and then would be home to her.

She’d given up the pretense of puttering and deposited herself outside where she knew he’d land. Maybe she could make a cup of tea or something.

* * *

Finally he touched down and when he saw her, he moved, eating the ground in three long strides until he was close enough to touch.

He did. Embracing her. Breathing her in. Soaking in her warmth and vitality.

She waited for him. That crushed the walls he’d built after the events of the evening. The fact that he had this creature waiting for him, worried for him, it was more than he deserved.

“Sun is so close. Come on.” She tugged him inside and they hurried to his bedchamber. “Your hair is wet,” she fretted as he changed into the pajamas he preferred.

“I cleaned up at my parents’ place.” He hadn’t wanted to come home with the violence and gore all over him. Had needed to wash it off before he saw her.

Silly because he knew she never judged his nature. She approved of what he’d done that night. For all the right reasons. For reasons he had been too tangled up to really understand until everything had been done.

His father at his side had been the right thing. She’d known it. Had risked his anger without hesitation. Most likely with some glee. And as House Stewart, they’d face the Vampire Nation and Warren as the Scion of Europe.

He’d talk to her about it when he woke up. Confess some of the worst things he’d found out from his interrogation of his uncles. Not then though. He needed her then. Needed that small moment of peace before he went to rest. God knew she didn’t need any more grief.

“Can I lie with you until you sleep?” she asked.

“I’d very much like that.” He pulled the coverlet back so she could slide in.

His last memory before falling under the surface of daylight was of Rowan’s body against his, her heartbeat a soft thump in his ears. Safe. Home.

Chapter Twelve

Rowan looked up from her screen to catch sight of Genevieve sliding into the seat across from her at the table. Sunlight warmed the kitchen, fooling those who didn’t have a life of violence into a lazy sort of happiness.

But Rowan did have a life of violence and she’d spent the last hour communicating with Susan after she’d filed her warrant and execution papers for Roderick.

Usually it was slightly easier but they had to hold back informing the Vampire Nation until Clive had done the same, so they would back-burner notification until after that.

“How are you today?” Genevieve asked when Rowan closed her laptop.

“Tired. Annoyed at Vampires. How about you?”

“Same. Though I’m also tired of witches. I spoke with the Conclave Senate to report to them about what we’d found. The Vampire you killed last night had a house full of illegal objects and spells. He couldn’t have gotten them without help from witches. Even though several dozen witches have been kidnapped and drained until they’re dead, there are witches working with the Blood Front to help whatever is behind this entire thing. It makes me very angry.”

“What does the Senate say about this?”

“They’re angry too. Some don’t want to believe that there are witches who are part of this conspiracy but the rest know there’s nothing else to point at but that. This material Roderick had wasn’t entry-level magics. Not dick hard spells or money spells. Trap and siphon spells like he had were created by more than one witch and after some blood sacrifice. Which also points to an older, more experienced magic user. They want me to continue working with you and Hunter Corp. on this. You have the expertise and the blade. I can get your back with magic.”

Rowan said, “We need to know exactly what all this is for. I mean, I get that we’re talking about sending