“What does that mean?” I was too tired to decode anything.
“Well, it turns out they are actually from the abbey, which is a good thing.”
“They?”
He nodded. “Yes, there were two of them.”
“Okay, so we have the right people. What’s the bad news?”
He sighed. “They refused to speak with me once they figured out what I am.”
I sat up. “Ah, I see the problem. Their primary concern is protecting the Fae. Associating with a vampire is in direct conflict of that.”
“Correct.”
“So what do we do now?”
“I managed to convince them to give me a chance to prove that I only had the purest intent.”
“Leo, don’t take this the wrong way, but how did you manage that? You’re pretty and all but I can’t imagine that would be enough for them.”
He smirked. “Pretty?”
“Oh, please,” I laughed. “You don’t need me to stroke your ego.”
“Maybe not my ego…” His fangs came out a little, punctuating his intent.
I blushed. “Okay…back on topic! How did you convince them?”
He shrugged. “I told them the truth; that I was representing a full-blooded fairy that was left behind when the portals were sealed. I explained your predicament…how you’re nearly immortal and are struggling to control your powers. They’re skeptical, but they see the danger in ignoring the possibility that you do, in fact, exist. They want to meet you.”
“And what? I conjure a little dust for them to prove what I am?”
“They may test you…but that might not be necessary. They told me their enhanced powers allow them to sense Fae blood. I believe they were testing me while telling me that, calling my bluff maybe, but I believe they speak the truth. One of the witches mentioned that all Fae can sense their brethren.” Was that why I was so drawn to Vance? Because I could sense the Fae in him?
“Okay, so when do we go back? Right now?”
He shook his head. “No, they’re returning to the abbey to consult the High Priestess. They’ve agreed to meet us here in Dublin next Saturday.”
“Why Saturday? That’s almost a week away!”
“They wouldn’t say. I’m guessing they want to make some sort of preparations. They really didn’t leave it up for negotiations, and I wasn’t going to push since they’re so wary already.”
“Makes sense,” I mumbled. “So, more waiting?”
He grabbed my hand, turning it over so he could place a kiss on the inside of my wrist. There was no way he didn’t catch the resulting shiver. “During the day, you can review your book and I’ll take care of some necessary business. That should help pass the time.”
“And at night?”
His smile revealed fangs a little longer than they were a few minutes ago. “At night, I’m sure we can find some way to…entertain ourselves.”
Just like that, I was flattened with visions of stroking something that definitely wasn’t related to his ego. “Uh…”
He laughed. “Relax, my love. Go back to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Right, like I could sleep after he planted sweaty, naked thoughts in my head. Instead of sharing my thoughts with him, I simply said, “Night.”
“What’s that?” It was Monday evening and Leo was holding up the garment bag that had just been delivered.