He smelled vampire as he hit the large, stone entryway.
A vampire with a female human.
More precisely, Lucien, likely with his mate.
Relief hit him at the same time as curiosity and Callum maneuvered Sonia partially behind him but still beside him as he opened the door.
A shiny, black Porsche Cayenne was glinting in the sun at the foot of the steps.
Lucien, tall, black-haired and powerfully built, wearing jeans, boots, and a black turtleneck which could be seen under his black, wool, hip-length, double-breasted coat was climbing them. Climbing beside him, her hand linked in his, was a beautiful blonde with dark blue eyes. She had a fantastic figure covered in charcoal gray cords, a stylish, fitted, black leather jacket with an eggplant-colored pashmina wrapped around her neck and she was wearing high-heeled black boots.
Pure, f**king class. Both of them.
Gazing at the female, her eyes as alive as was her expression like she couldn’t hide her love of life nor did she want to, not to mention smelling her exquisite scent, Callum realized immediately Lucien’s fate had also led him to the perfect match.
Pleased for the vampire, his eyes moved to Lucien’s as Callum tucked his own perfect match into his side and he smiled.
“This is a surprise,” he greeted as Lucien led his mate across the landing to the door.
“A pleasant one, I trust,” Lucien replied, also on a smile but the vampire’s black eyes were, as usual, carefully blank. Lucien never gave anything away, at least not to Callum’s recollection.
“That depends on its purpose,” Callum returned, shifting himself and Sonia to the side to allow Lucien and his mate entry and then he closed off the cold behind them by shutting the door.
Lucien stopped himself and his mate just inside and pulling her protectively close, he said, “I’d heard you’d finally claimed your mate. I was curious.”
Lucien wasn’t curious. Lucien had a reason to be there.
Callum also hid his reaction and turned to Sonia. “Honey, this is a friend of mine, Lucien.” He looked to Lucien. “Lucien, this is my queen, Sonia.”
She was gazing at Lucien, openly unsure of what to make of him and she held out a tentative hand which, after a glance at Callum, Lucien took.
Bending low, Lucien brushed his lips against her knuckles and all in the entryway (except, perhaps, Lucien’s mate) heard Sonia’s soft intake of breath.
A soft intake of breath Callum didn’t like.
Nor did he like it when Lucien kept hold of her hand and pulled her closer.
Callum tensed and only partially relaxed when Lucien turned Sonia to his mate.
“Sonia, this is Leah, my bride,” he said softly but Leah was smiling openly at Sonia.
“Hello,” Leah said in an attractive, alto voice, her smile never wavering.
However, it was plain to see in the face of her stylish company, Sonia was having belated second thoughts about appearing at the door in her socks and robe, cashmere or not.
“Hi,” Sonia replied on a shy smile and then she politely pulled her hand from Lucien’s and scuttled back. She nearly ran into Callum before he caught her and folded her again into his side where she wrapped her arm around him.
It was at that, Callum fully relaxed.
“Leah, meet Callum,” Lucien invited and it was Callum’s turn to take Lucien’s mate’s hand but he didn’t brush his lips against her knuckles. He just squeezed and released it.
“Coffee!” Sonia suddenly cried and looked up at Callum. “I’ll order coffee and something to eat and um… get dressed.” She looked to Lucien and Leah. “Are you hungry?”
“Starved, but I’d kill for a cup of coffee,” Leah replied, still smiling.
“Brilliant. We have coffee,” Sonia announced. “Good coffee. Mara only gets the best.” She turned again to Callum. “You, um… take them somewhere warm. I’ll be right back.”
Then, with a self-conscious grin at their guests, she broke from Callum’s hold and ran down the hall.