Vampire Debt - Supernatural Battle (Vampire Towers #2) - Kelly St. Clare Page 0,74
him, a wrinkle forming between her brows.
Wannington. I’d heard of the name—though I never knew Rhys growing up.
“Hello,” I choked, the sickening crunch of Rhys’s chest caving in, hitting me square between the eyes.
Rory dipped his head. “Not feeling well, I’m afraid. Must be off.”
I tripped after the vampire, trying to school my features into a smooth mask for the crowd of leeches.
When we were on the stairs, I pulled free of his grip, moving to stand at the balustrade as I forced away memories of Rhys in the hospital. So many things had exploded in my life, I’d never stopped to ask about his funeral.
“She doesn’t remember anything from that night,” Rory said, leaning against the railing.
I lifted my head. “Tell me what happened, please.”
He lifted a shoulder. “When the human—”
“Rhys.”
Rory arched a brow. “When Rhys died, the charge changed from assault to murder. His family has money and influence and they were making waves that could get back to you. Kyros had someone bring the aunt in.”
Bring her in.
My eyes widened. “Someone put her under blood compulsion?”
“Correct. One of my Vissimo. I have enough humans to keep track of, and I couldn’t be bothered dealing with her fear at these events. Her memories of you were removed from that night. We already had the CCTV footage erased.”
They’d saved me from being dragged through the courts. I wouldn’t have been able to answer any questions about Vissimo. Imagining how bad that could have turned out was all too easy. However, because of that, the Tonyi triplets were off the hook too. Rhys’s murder hadn’t been avenged.
My relief was bittersweet.
Rory gestured to the lift at the top of the stairs. “Are you going to yell at Kyros for protecting you?”
“I don’t like yelling at him.” I frowned at my hands. “And no. In this instance—no matter that it isn’t right—I’m grateful for the interference.”
Even though the mind of another occupant of Bluff City had to be put in chains to make it happen.
That seemed like a slippery moral slope.
“I’ve entered our numbers into your phone. All my brothers’ and sisters’,” Rory said as we entered the elevator.
I shot him a wry look. “Great.”
“It will be if your three problems decide to show.”
I had fifty Indebted. “I don’t feel like the triplets are that smart. Their efforts are fumbling at best.”
“And that’s how Lady Treena disables her prey.”
Contemplative, I looked at him anew, ignoring the elevator usher. “I see.”
They made clunky moves until they really struck. “They’re feeling me out.”
He dipped his head. “Don’t make the same mistake so many do.”
My lack of criminal experience put me at greater risk than anything. I had no idea how depraved they could get nor what they were most likely to attempt.
“Thanks for the advice.”
“Welcome.”
I liked Rory when he forgot about appearances. Which was about as often as Gerome stopped joking around. By the time I’d rattled off a text to Laurel explaining the change of plans, vain Rory was back. He remained in charge on the short ride to Kyros Sky, schmoozing me with all manner of horrible pick-up lines. I played along to distract myself from thoughts of the triplets who could be following us at that very moment.
What would they have done if Gina hadn’t warned me? Would I have ended up like Rhys? Chest caved in. Dead in ICU.
Rory didn’t budge when we pulled up outside Kyros Sky. “Get out.”
“Love you too,” I said sarcastically. “You’ll be back later?”
I guessed Rory had to go through his own meetings in his finance tower before the siblings met at 2:00 a.m.
“I’ll try not to miss you too much, darling.”
Chh.
I kept my steps even between the car and the lobby, certain the triplets were somewhere close by, but I didn’t breathe easier until the elevator doors slid shut.
Clicking the button for Lower Level 1, I reached into my pocket to make sure the storage locker key was still there.
I dialled Laurel upon leaving the elevator, hoping Kyros had his listening ears on.
“Miss Le Spyre.”
“Hey, Loz. Can you ask anyone on Lower Level 4 to meet me on Lower Level 1? I’ve got a whole bunch of house stuff in a locker here that they can have. I thought everyone could take a bit each? There should be enough to go around.”
There was a pause. “I’m sure that would be appreciated, Miss Le Spyre. I’ll call a few Indebted to spread the word.”
“Thanks. I’ll be in the tower until three thirty.”