“I think something did, and at the very least, they were aware of it. Look at how the Runes called to me.”
“Having them behind us isn’t a bad thing.”
“I agree.” Trusting my gut, I make a decision to spill. The Runes want me with my family. Unity is the only way to come out on top.
“Fel, I want you to come back and meet Cristobal’s Inner Court.”
“Like this!”
“We’ll take a shower first, and you can have your choice of my wardrobe. Gil, the unofficial stylist, likes to treat me like his personal model, so you’ll get expensive digs out of it.”
“I like Cristobal, I really do, but that’s a lot of vampires.”
“They’d never do anything to hurt you. I promise you that.”
“Can you make that promise?”
I sigh. “This isn’t like what you see in the movies or read in books. There’s no Master/Slave vibes. Cristobal and I are partners.”
“Thank God. I’ve been so worried about you.”
“Have you?” I asked, stunned.
“Yes, It’s all smoke and mirrors with vampires. Telling fact from fiction is nearly impossible, and though you seem okay, you’re off. I can tell you’ve been keeping secrets and under a lot of pressure. You come in some days looking like you haven’t slept a wink, not to mention all the phone calls and texts you go out of your way to keep secret.” She shakes her head. “It’s not like you. When you add how quickly you moved into cohabiting with the man who sent you running clear across the country, it doesn’t add up.”
“That’s for appearances … and safety. You had a right to be concerned, Fel. Just not for the reasons you suspected.” The dam inside of me breaks, and the info surges forward, penetrating the cracks. It’s a necessary purge. I have to get all the fear, hurt, anger, and bitterness out before it festers and poisons me. Every secret revealed breaks me from the box I was trapped inside. I’m a bird who’s escaped its cage.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” The hurt in her voice guts me.
“It’s not about trust, Fel. I wanted to avoid involving you because of the danger.”
“Why tell me now?”
“Because I realized you’re in danger regardless. We all are. Whoever is behind this is powerful, doesn’t care who they hurt in the process, or what peace they obliterate. War might be the main goal. Cristobal’s worked hard to form strong relationships with the right people. He’s passed the tolerated into the liked category. It’d take a lot more than an attack or flimsy accusation to take him down. They’d have to topple his court completely, destroy his credibility, and take down or seriously wound his allies. That places us all in the direct path of a wrecking ball. We need to form a strong united front.”
“They couldn’t have a better spokeswoman for cooperation.”
I snort. “The girl who ran away isn’t the most reliable person to unite two groups who have hated each other for centuries. Since I’ve been back, all I’ve done is piss people off.”
“Because you’re making desperately needed changes. You do what’s needed not what will make people happy. That’s the mark of a good leader.”
I laugh. “That depends on who you ask.”
Chapter Thirteen
What happened?” Marcellus is beside me, looking me over before I can step fully into the door.
“Research in a dusty old room will do this to you.”
He relaxes. “No attacks, though?”
“None.”
“What’s this?” Marcellus’s lip curls up, killing the warm and fuzzies his concern gave.
“She is my cousin, Felicities, and you’ll treat her with respect and politeness.”
He scowls. “Witches.”