When The Grave Calls (The Veil Diaries #9) - B.L. Brunnemer Page 0,9

between the two were bound to crop up. And they had been, in abundance, so a committee had been created to handle interspecies issues and act as leadership for all of the people on our side, which included me in an honorary seat. The eighteen-year-old. Yeah, I thought it was crazy too, but it kept the committee up to date on the Veil and me up to date on what they were planning.

“Maybe she got a lead,” I offered.

My statement was met only with doubtful looks around the table. To be honest, we could really use a lead right now. We had no idea where Jadis was and we needed to find a way to end this stalemate.

The fourth member of the committee was late, and it was odd enough that we hadn’t even started the meeting. In fact … “What is this meeting about anyway?”

“Miles has finished his project.” Uma turned to me. “He is going to demonstrate it for us.”

Finally. Maybe now Miles could get some sleep and get back to normal again. “Anything new about Jadis?”

“They’ve infiltrated several spots in the local government.” Uma relaxed in her seat, the picture of cool elegance. “Probably through compulsion.”

“It’s the same throughout the town. They haven’t gotten any vital positions in the town yet, but it’s become clear that it’s what they’re working on.” Brody turned and crossed the room again.

I shook my head. “So, why?”

“They did the same in Florida, according to Luca,” Uma said. “Then they used the town to add pressure.”

“We need some of our people in place,” I muttered. “With some sort of protection against compulsion.”

Brody and Uma nodded their heads in agreement.

“And what about Ethan’s attack last night?” I asked again.

Uma sighed patiently. “There’s no proof that Jadis was involved in that. It could have been teenagers or a botched mugging, Lexie.”

“But we don’t know that it wasn’t Jadis trying to get her hands on him again,” I countered.

“Lexie, all we can do is have him be more aware of his surroundings for the time being,” Brody said in his lecturing tone.

I was about to debate that when the door swung open. A pale, dark-haired woman slipped through the study door and softly shut it behind her. Her slim, short figure gave the impression she was young, but in truth she had been converted over fifty years ago. The vampire walked into the room with an air of dignity. “I’m terribly sorry, I had a message from my Master.”

“Can you share it?” I asked, leaning forward.

Those silver eyes met mine. Briony nodded. “Your worst fear is realized. Riley has been converted and entrenched in the nest for the time being. My Master is going to remain and work to preserve any free will she has left.” She paused. “We won’t be able to contact him again until he gets her out of the Domus Mortis, which could take some time depending on her level of control.”

My heart sunk. Riley had been turned. Oh God. Her human life was over. Guilt hit me hard, eating away at my control. And not just for Riley. Briony had explained the history of Samuel and the Domus Mortis. How he abandoned their nest and struck out on his own. His former Master was still furious over it. The things she told me about that house were enough to give me nightmares. Well, more nightmares.

I was going to owe Samuel big time for this. He had been right; I hadn’t known what I was asking when I asked him to go. I got to my feet and began to pace. What was happening to Riley? Was she okay? What about Samuel?

Brody stopped pacing. “I assume you’ll remain his proxy?”

Briony turned her attention to the shifter. “I am. I’ve been his second for almost a century now. I’ll handle his affairs until his death or return.”

Uma nodded.

I forced my emotions back and focused on what I could do now. “Thank you.”

“Which, unfortunately, leads me to my first decision.” Briony met my gaze. “My Master needs us to remove ourselves from Spring Mountain.”

Everyone turned back to her.

“Why is that?” Uma asked.

“It needs to look like our Master deserted us,” Briony said. “We need to look scattered, unorganized, and in such a state we wouldn’t be in this fight.”

The vamps were leaving. Shit.

“Are you sure that’s necessary?” Uma asked.

Briony nodded. “Unfortunately. The head of the Domus Mortis has punished Samuel for leaving him, but he is still suspicious of his motives. We need