X.
"May I see some identification, sir?" one of them asked.
Mr. X smiled and handed over his driver's license. "Billy and I are just going out for dinner. Maybe a movie."
The man studied the picture and then his face. "Mr. Xavier, here's your license back. Sorry for the inconvenience."
"Not a problem, Officer."
Mr. X and Billy got back into the Hummer.
Riddle cursed. "They're such idiots. Why did they stop us?"
Because we got jumped by two vampires, Mr. X thought. You just don't remember it, and neither do those two guys with the badges.
Tricky mind games. Tricky, tricky.
"What are the state police doing here?" Mr. X asked as he put the SUV in gear.
"My dad got another terrorist threat, and he's decided to leave D.C. for a little while. He's coming home tonight, and they'll be crawling all over the place until he goes back to the capital."
"Did you talk with your father?"
"Yeah. He actually seemed relieved."
"I'm sure he is."
Billy reached into his duffel bag. "I got what you said I needed."
He held up a wide-necked ceramic jar with a lid.
"That's good, Billy. Perfect size."
"What's going in it?"
Mr. X smiled. "You'll find out. Are you hungry?"
"Naw. Too pumped for food." Billy clapped his palms together and squeezed, flexing his muscles. "Just so you know, I don't crack easy. Whatever goes down tonight, I'll stay tight."
We'll just see about that, Mr. X thought as he headed for his house. They were going to do the ceremony in the barn, and the torture table was going to be a big help. He could tie Billy down easier that way.
As the city dissolved and the farm country eased up around the road, Mr. X found himself smiling.
The Blind King.
In Caldwell.
Mr. X glanced over at Riddle.
In Caldwell and looking for Billy.
Now why would that be?
Chapter Forty-five
Beth was back in The Dress. And loving it. "I don't have shoes," she said.
Wellsie took another hairpin out of her mouth and slid it into Beth's chignon.
"You're not supposed to be wearing any. Okay, let me see how you look." Wellsie smiled as Beth danced around her father's bedroom, red satin skirting flaring like fire around her.
"I'm going to cry." Wellsie covered her mouth with her hand. "I know it. As soon as he sees you, I'm going to start crying. You're just too beautiful, and this is the first happy thing since... I don't know when."
Beth stopped, the gown fluttering to rest. "Thank you. For everything."
Wellsie shook her head. "Don't be nice to me, or I'll start with the tears right now."
"I mean it. I feel like... I don't know, I'm marrying into a family. And I've never really had one before."
Wellsie's nose reddened. "We are your family. You're one of us. Now stop it, will you? Before you get me going."
Someone pounded on the door.
"Is everything okay in there?" came a male voice from the other side.
Wellsie went over and put her head out, keeping the door mostly shut. "Yes, Tohr. Are the brothers all lined up?"
"What the - Have you been crying?" Tohrment demanded. "Are you all right? Dear God, is it the baby?"
"Tohr, relax. I'm a female, I cry at matings. It's in the job description."
There was the sound of a kiss.
"I just don't want anything to upset you, leelan."
"Then tell me the brothers are ready."
"We are."
"Good. I'll bring her out."
"Leelan? "
"What?"
There were low words spoken in their beautiful language.
"Yes, Tohr," Wellsie whispered. "And after two hundred years, I'd mate you again. In spite of the fact that you snore and you leave your weapons all over our bedroom."
The door shut, and Wellsie turned around. "They're ready for you. Shall we?"
Beth tugged at the bodice. Looked down at her ruby ring. "I never thought I'd do this."
"Life is full of wonderful surprises, isn't it?"
"It certainly is."
They walked out of her father's bedroom and into Wrath's chamber.
All the furniture had been emptied out, and where the bed had been, Wrath's brothers were lined up against the wall. They were a magnificent sight, wearing identical black satin jackets and loose pants with jeweled daggers hanging on their hips.
There was a collective inhale as the assembly noticed her. The brothers shifted, looked down. Looked back at her. Bashful smiles actually broke out across those harsh faces.
Well, except for Zsadist's. He glanced at her once and then just stared at the floor.
Butch, Marissa, and Fritz stood to one side. She gave them a little wave. Fritz took out a handkerchief.
And there was someone else in the room.
A tiny person draped in