will take care of that for me. Like I said, let me know when you’re ready to go.”
With a last look at the vampires, Saintcrow left the tavern. So, they wanted out, did they? Well, to hell with them. He’d taken them in, provided them with a comfortable lair and a variety of human prey. And now they wanted out. Well, good riddance.
“We’re free!” Lilith exclaimed. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I can’t wait to get out of here.”
“Maybe we’re being hasty,” Vaughan said.
“Hasty?” Wes exclaimed. “This was your idea in the first place!”
“I know, but he’s right. We don’t know what’s going on outside. We haven’t had to seek a safe lair or hunt in years.”
“I’m pretty sure we all remember how,” Lilith said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“That’s not the point,” Vaughan said. “Saintcrow is the oldest vampire among us. If he’s reluctant to leave here, maybe we should reconsider. Maybe we could convince him to let us know what’s going on outside.”
“Maybe,” Gil said dubiously.
“What do you think he’ll do with the humans?” Lilith asked. “He won’t have any use for them when we’re gone.”
“Forget the humans. We need to know what’s going on in the world outside,” Nolan said. “When I came here, the people who believed we existed were few and far between. If that’s changed, we need to know.”
“So, we ask him to bring us up to date,” Vaughan said.
“Fine,” Lilith said. “You go ask him. And ask him what he’s going to do with the humans while you’re at it.”
“All right, I will.”
Saintcrow scowled when he opened the door and saw Vaughan on the porch. “You ready to go?”
“Not yet.”
“So, what are you doing here?”
“We talked it over. We decided we need to know what’s going on outside before we leave.” He cleared his throat. “We want you to help us connect with others of our kind in the outside world, find out what we’re up against when we leave here.”
“Is that right?”
“Come on, you owe it to us.”
“I don’t owe you a damn thing.”
“I know. We came here of our own accord and in spite of whatever was said earlier, we appreciate what you’ve done. You’ve taken good care of us.”
“Uh-huh.”
Vaughan grinned. “You don’t buy that, huh?”
“Not for a minute,” Saintcrow said.
“Would it help if I said please?”
Saintcrow shook his head in amusement. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Oh, Lilith was wondering what you’re going to do with the humans.”
“Tell her to keep wondering.”
Saintcrow stood at the door, staring out into the night long after Vaughan had taken his leave. So, the coven wanted to be brought up to date. No doubt they’d want cell phones and newspapers next. Letting them stay here had seemed like a good idea at the time. It had all started with Nolan. He had saved Browning from being staked by a couple of hunters and brought him here. Browning had asked to stay. He had found Lilith the same way, the ungrateful shrew. She’d been nothing but trouble the whole time she’d been here. Trent and Quinn had found the place by accident. He had run into Vaughan and the others on various trips outside and offered them his protection.
Well, he was tired of playing nursemaid. Hell, they were free to go, all of them. The sooner, the better, he thought, then paused. Without the coven, he had no need for the humans. He never fed on any of them, preferring to hunt outside. Still, Kadie would be lonely without someone to keep her company during the day. The men could go, but like it or not, the women would be staying.
Chapter 20
Kadie was surprised the next night, when, out of the blue, Saintcrow asked if she would like to go shopping with him.
“Sure,” she said eagerly. “Where are we going?”
“To a local mall. I need to get something for the coven.”
“I don’t believe it!”
He shrugged. “It wasn’t my idea, believe me. Are you ready?”
“Just let me get my jacket.”
“Kadie?”
“What?”
“I’ll want your promise that you won’t do anything stupid.”
“I promise,” she said, and ran to get her coat.
It was a beautiful night for a drive. Kadie stared out the window, excited by the prospect of going shopping, even if it wasn’t for her.
Saintcrow drove with the windows down, one arm resting on the back of her seat. It felt like they were flying down the road, making her hesitate to look at the speedometer.