are ones that protect a specific area or person, keeping any unwelcome visitors away. Most wards are breakable, if a more powerful being wants through.”
Michael jumped in. “We haven’t seen a powerful fae in years. They’re watching though. You can count on it.”
“Thanks, that helps,” I said, not satisfied and still wishing I could ask more pointed questions about the wards that had kept Valamir from entering The Crab Cove.
I’d keep those questions to myself for the time being. Mentioning the master vampire would add more chaos to our crisis. I wondered who had set up the wards for our reception. Just the idea that we had a witch — or worse — in our midst was unsettling.
“Where do you want me?” Mack asked. I could tell he was eager to play a more active role in our search.
Reluctant, Zane handed him the coins. “I need you to take these to Rita. Alcuin can teleport you there before he visits Miles’ place.”
Alcuin just smirked.
“What?” Zane demanded.
“You assume I’m at your beck and call. I’m quite hungry, and I don’t play well when I’m hungry.” His icy eyes landed on a spot just below my jaw line.
“Oh no, you don’t,” I snapped, reaching for my neck.
“Don’t flatter yourself. I have plenty of willing donors.”
Alcuin almost seemed offended, in an “I’ve been rejected” kind of way. Mr. Calm, Cool, and Collected had displayed emotions. He was upset because I didn’t want him to bite me.
“Can’t you wait twenty more minutes?” asked Michael.
“I can wait days if it’s required, but I don’t want to. You hungry hounds should understand. You all eat like …”
“Enough! Please!” I’d reached my boiling over point. “Let the blood-starved vamp go feed, just don’t give me any details. Then we can get to work.”
Michael clapped, inspired by my retort. “One for the lady.” He stopped clapping to make an imaginary check mark in the air.
Alcuin missed out on the younger wolf’s theatrics. He’d already disappeared.
I was relieved thirty minutes later when Alcuin reappeared with a smug grin. His eyes were brighter and his presence more imposing. I had to admit, for him, blood did the trick.
Zane nodded toward the door and jingled my car keys. I followed, thrilled to leave the once again bickering boys behind.
While Alcuin had been hunting, Zane had explained how civilized vampires like Alcuin could feed from any human, willing or not, without causing permanent damage. Rogue vampires, on the other hand, were far more likely to drain their food sources, causing problems for vampires trying to maintain a semi-normal existence away from the supernatural community’s scrutiny, and from humans’ superstitious natures.
I wondered if Valamir bled his victims dry.
“You’re in deep thought.” Zane’s voice alerted me to just how far I’d allowed my mind to drift. With so much new information to absorb it was a wonder I could form complete sentences let alone come up with valuable theories and questions.
“There’s so much to think about,” I said.
“We’re almost there.” Zane tensed, preparing once again to face the unknown.
From what I’d gathered, none of my supernatural cohorts were very comfortable with so many unknown players on the game board. Not knowing who or what they were up against had diminished their overconfidence.
Wanting to get this latest search behind us, I was ready to move forward with our investigation of Will’s property.
“You haven’t asked me the one question I’ve been expecting,” he said. “Aren’t you curious about Rita?”
Without his prompting, I might have forgotten about the woman. “I wouldn’t mind knowing,” I confirmed, refusing to act all excited by this latest tidbit tossed my way like a bone to a hungry dog.
My dog-induced thoughts weren’t stopping anytime soon, regardless of my fearful feelings about the four-legged fiends. I hated to admit, I’d taken a real liking to Kelsey — Seth’s retriever — the first ever dog that had caught my fancy, except, of course, the werewolf sitting next to me.
I stifled an unexpected giggle.
Zane gave me his lopsided grin. “I’m glad you find this all so amusing.”
“I’m sorry,” I fibbed. In truth, I was thankful for my imagination. Having an offbeat sense of humor and always creative mind had proven very helpful over the torture-filled years at school, when snooty girls like Darlene Davenport made it their top priority to shred my self-esteem. Right now, my inner-comedian kept me from drowning in despair.
“No reason to apologize. There’s more than enough for us to worry about. As for Rita, she’s a retired college professor. Her area