Keepers of the Flame (Trilogy Bundle) - By Melissa F. Hart Page 0,40

that we were powerless to act at that moment until we heard from the kidnappers. In the meantime, they were investigating and doing whatever protector things they usually spent their time doing. I had no idea what they were talking about. As soon as they'd begun talking shop, I'd excused myself and made my way back to my room. Suddenly my phone beeped. Picking it up I saw it was a text from Claire, my best friend. I suddenly remembered she'd been trying to reach me for a couple of days.

Girl, where are you?

I quickly tapped back that I was fine but in London.

What are you doing there? Better get your ass back down here!

You know Katrina, up to her usual mischief so had to come keep an eye on her.

It wasn't strictly a lie. I had come to London because of Katrina even if it was not because of any mischief on her part. But I could hardly tell her the truth when she didn't even know I was a vampire.

You Aunt is a laugh a barrel. Have fun and bring something British for me.

I rolled my eyes at that, even as a reluctant smile formed on my lips. People like Claire gave me hope that the world was not all bad. She was one person who would always go to battle on my behalf and she stood up for me. I wondered briefly if she would still be my friend if she found out I was a vampire. Probably not. But I was not going to dwell upon that. Just like I wasn't going to dwell on the fact that as I'd left the Top Secret, Out of Bounds briefing room, raven locks and Dylan had been so engrossed in each other that he hadn't even noticed me leaving. Whatever. He knew where I was if ever he decided to be an adult.

I flopped back on the bed just as my phone beeped again. It was another text message but this time from a number I didn't recognize. The message was short and to the point.

The Serpentine was just a warning. Come back home tonight and no Protectors.

If felt my body freeze up. I reached up to touch the stone hanging from the chain around my neck and it was freezing cold. That had never happened before. Come to think of it, when I'd gotten angry with Dylan at the briefing room, the stone had warmed up. Suddenly it was as though it was not just acting as an alarm whenever I was in danger, but was picking up on my emotions as well.

I shook my head to clear it and went back to the text message on my phone. If I understood it correctly, I was supposed to go to Greenwich that night, specifically to the house I'd grown up in and I was not to go with Dylan or any of the protectors.

What do I do? I thought in consternation. Did I inform the Protectors or just sneak out and go by myself? I checked the time; it was already past ten p.m. I needed to make a decision and fast.

Chapter Five

In the end, I decided to compromise. I left a note on my bed for Dylan telling him I'd received a text and quoting the message I'd received. I knew that I was taking a risk going alone and that leaving that note was a gamble. A gamble that he loved me enough to check on me later and discover my note. If he was still ensconced with raven locks and didn't bother to check on me, then I would have to find a way to get Katrina out on my own.

I could have zipped through the air and found myself in Greenwich, but I decided to take the train for two reasons. First, I wanted to buy myself some time and second, I was no longer completely familiar with London and didn't want to literally land in a situation that was beyond me. Besides I had a good idea that's what the kidnapper would expect me to do. Hanging around vampires, I'd come to realize that they could not fathom that a vampire might act and think like a mortal. I sometimes thought that I was more mortal than vampire; goodness knew how many times I cursed my vampire heritage.

Aboard the train from Knightsbride station, I sent the kidnapper a message.

What about my grandmother?

We were approaching Green Park station where I needed to change