Taken by a Vampire (Vampire Queen) - By Joey W. Hill Page 0,210

a ravaged skeleton over the past three weeks.

“Would a new third mark help her chances of survival?”

The question was on Evan’s lips almost instantly, but it was Lyssa who asked it. The queen had arrived without Evan noticing. Her sharp attention was on Brian, though, not their failure to rise as she entered the room. She made a curt gesture, dismissing etiquette.

“Yes,” Lord Brian responded. “But not for seventy-two hours. The treatment has to cycle fully out of her system first. Her body might give out before then.”

But she was at peace. She was free. Evan told himself that was the most important thing, even as he burned for that seventy-two hours to vanish, so they could do whatever was needed to help her.

“So, three days to choose the appropriate vampire to re-mark her.” Lyssa nodded.

Niall started to surge off the stool. Evan had the presence of mind to clamp down on him, keeping him still. Peace, Niall. Remember your place.

Despite Lyssa’s leniency for Niall’s earlier behavior, the crisis had passed. Niall had no voice here, and she expected Evan to control his servant accordingly.

Fortunately, Evan did have a voice, albeit he was considerably outranked in the room. He was rising, even as he compelled Niall to stay seated. At the Scot’s jerk of motion, Lady Lyssa’s jade eyes had strayed to him, one brow rising in subtle, deadly challenge. She was likely well aware of what kind of exchange had just occurred between him and his servant.

Evan bowed to the queen, drawing her attention. “I know Alanna’s training was intended to serve a far higher purpose than a vampire with my lack of ambition, but is it possible her circumstances would allow my petition, my lady?”

“Prettily said. You may have more capacity for politics than you purport.”

“With due credit to your intelligence, my lady, I expect it’s a rare fluke, caused by how important the issue is to me.”

“Very well.” She nodded. “Speak plainly. Do you want her or not?”

“With all my heart. I don’t believe I’ve ever wanted anything quite as much. Not since three hundred years ago.”

He didn’t look toward Niall, but he felt him acknowledge his meaning with a numb surprise. He’d also reminded Lyssa he was on the cusp of losing his own servant. Though he wasn’t above using the sentiment if it would help, he hoped Niall realized it wasn’t meaningless manipulation.

“I will take it under consideration. Will the girl be coherent anytime soon?” She directed that to Brian.

“Unfortunately, we can’t predict that, my lady.”

“But you are certain the marks are removed.”

“Within a 99.9876 percent certainty.”

“Despite that wide margin of doubt . . .” She sent a look toward Daegan. “Stephen’s existence is no longer necessary. The Council sentenced him when he betrayed us. Please attend to it. Have the staff burn his filth to ash and thoroughly sweep it from the grounds.”

“With pleasure, my lady.” Daegan’s eyes gleamed. Gideon rose from the desk chair, clearing his throat.

“I’ll go along with you. Hold your purse while you take care of that.”

Over these past several weeks, and even before then, Evan knew he and Niall would have fought for the satisfaction of taking the bastard’s life. But now, seeing Alanna in peaceful slumber for the first time in so many days, neither of them could be compelled to leave this room for something as unimportant as revenge. In the end, love was a far stronger emotion than hate. It was a comforting thought.

“She’ll need to stay in a hospital bed and be monitored, but we can move her to a more comfortable environment.” Brian looked around the soundproofed room. “We’ll put her in the infirmary quarters for staff.”

“It’s on the first floor level,” Debra supplied. “Where she’ll get sunlight and a lovely view of the garden.”

Lady Lyssa had disappeared, indicating she’d take no further appeals from Evan on the matter. He and Niall would simply have to wait, and hope. As difficult as that seemed, compared to an hour ago, it was like seeing the sun rise over land after the forty days and nights of the biblical Flood.

“Thank you, my lord.”

23

THE Savannah headquarters had an aesthetic appeal the intimidating Berlin fortress had lacked. There was ample underground housing for vampire guests, with grounds and amenities suitable to the stature of the Council members who met and stayed there while conducting business. Brian had even relocated a section of his research facilities there, taking up one full wing of the estate.

Beyond being the queen’s preference,