Margot saluted with the pen in her hand.
Chapter Ten
THE SLUMBER PARTY
In the basement, the Ops Room buzzed with activity. Juliet, Kelley, Malik, and Luc were already inside, and the whiteboard was in position.
"Grey House guards?" Ethan asked, exchanging a manly patting of backs with Malik, who'd undoubtedly been worried for Ethan's safety.
"They're on-site and getting settled in," Luc said. "We gave them a few minutes."
Ethan nodded, then glanced at Malik. "Any trouble here while we were gone?"
"Not a hint. No rioters. No attempts to jump the fence. No crank phone calls. You four had all the fun." He glanced at me with concern. "You were cut?"
"Yeah, but I'm okay. Just a little sore."
Devilishness shined in Malik's eyes. "What was the weapon again? Paring knife? Melon baller?" He squeezed his thumb and forefinger together. "One of those cinnamon-flavored toothpicks?"
I gave Luc, the only one who'd have had time to tell Malik about the weapon of choice, a very flat look. "Really."
He winked. "I told him the rioter used a spatula. He got to the rest on his own."
"It was a chef's knife," I said, holding my hands about a foot apart. "And a very large one."
"That's what she said," Ethan murmured.
Maybe my sarcasm was catching.
"I did get a call from one Nicholas Breckenridge. He's asked about the riots' potential impact on the House getting a lengthy feature."
Ethan looked very satisfied. "That was Merit's idea. Our effort to change public opinion."
"Nice thought," Malik said, and I nodded.
"Thanks."
"Give him whatever information he wants," Ethan said. "I'll apprise Scott. No interviews with individual vampires unless they specifically consent, but he's welcome to ask within the halls of the House."
Malik nodded, then glanced back at the door. "Speaking of access to the House, look who's darkening our door."
I glanced back, expecting to see the Grey House guards, but found a pleasant surprise. Jeff, Catcher, and my grandfather stood in the doorway, still bundled up in scarves and warm coats. Catcher must have picked up my grandfather and brought him back to Hyde Park. I smiled and walked toward them, accepting a very squeezy hug from Jeff.
"We heard there was a party," he said. "And we decided to crash it."
"Actually, we heard you were discussing the riots," my grandfather said, giving Jeff an amused glance. "I'm not sure we'll have a lot to offer, but we thought we'd chip in what we could."
"It was nice of you to come all this way," I said. "We appreciate it."
Catcher looked over my ensemble. "Sullivan's letting you dress down tonight?"
I lifted my shirt and showed them the scar across my belly. My grandfather looked mightily alarmed.
"Some nights, I'm not sure if I should be glad that you're immortal, or rueful about it," he said.
"We often have similar thoughts," Ethan said, walking toward us. He shook my grandfather's hand.
"How'd you get the cut?" Catcher asked.
"Rioter with a blade."
"Paring knife," Ethan said.
"It was a chef's knife," I pointedly said, giving Ethan the evil eye. "I tripped, and he got the jump on me. Literally."
"I'm glad you're all right," my grandfather said, glancing at Ethan. "Perhaps a position change to House librarian?"
"That job is filled," I said, slipping my arm through his. "I'm stuck at Sentinel, unfortunately. But I do have a knight in shining armor. Ethan rescued me. Again."
Ethan smiled. "It's the least I can do."
"Here, Mr. Merit," Lindsey said, standing. "Take my chair."
I expected my grandfather to protest; he was in his sixties, but still proud and active, and he was a former cop, after all. But instead he nodded and smiled.
"Thank you, hon," he said. "I appreciate that."
Lindsey gave me a wink as she scooted from her seat and took a spot standing near the wall. My grandfather sat down, a little slower than usual, and with a little more relief in his eyes.
"You're all right?" I asked, concern in mine.
He patted my hand. "Perfectly fine. It's just been a long day."
He sought to soothe me, but the reminder was still poignant: As a vampire, I was immortal. My friends and family weren't. My grandfather, always vibrant and vital, would inevitably age, and eventually I'd lose him.
I looked away before my eyes could fill with tears, but my heart was heavy.
Be still, Sentinel, said a voice in my head.
I glanced at Ethan, who stood a few feet away. He spoke with Luc, but his thoughts were on me. He must have seen the fear in my eyes.
Be grateful for your immorality, but do not deny them the honor of their mortality.
I nodded, but the vise around my heart didn't ease.
Scott appeared in the doorway, six guards, including Jonah, behind him. I recognized a couple - Grey House guards named Danny and Jeremy. Most of the group wore navy blue peacoats over jeans and boots. A bit, I assumed, of the Grey House uniform.
"I think we're all here," Ethan said to Scott.
Scott nodded. "Then let's get this show on the road."
-
To be honest, the atmosphere was awkward. There were a lot of vampires squeezed into the Ops Room, and we played for two different teams. The Grey House guards looked tired and uncomfortable. The Cadogan House guards looked nervous: We were responsible for our House's security, and now the security of vampires we didn't know that well.
Kelley, Lindsey, Juliet, and I had nabbed seats at the conference table, along with a few of the Grey House guards. The senior staff stood in front of the projector screen like lecturers ready to teach their fang-bearing students.
"First of all," Ethan said, glancing among the Grey House guards, "welcome to Cadogan House. I'm sorry it's under such unfortunate circumstances, but you may consider yourselves at home here. If there's anything you need, or if there's something we can help you with, please feel free to ask."
A few of the Grey House guards looked around at one another in surprise at Ethan's magnanimity, which made me wonder how they'd perceived Cadogan House.
"This is our Operations Room," Ethan said. "You're welcome to be here, to talk to our guards, or to request information about House security. We recognize that, for the time being, we are housing your most precious commodity - your vampires - and we want you to feel as comfortable as possible about their safety." Ethan nodded and looked at Scott. "I believe that's it for my part, Scott, unless you have anything to add?"