A Call of Vampires (A Shade of Vampire #51)(54)

The servants had fair skin and looked slightly uncomfortable in their uniforms, but that didn’t exactly come as a surprise. No one would ever truly be themselves while catering to the rich, and the one thing I couldn’t ignore about all this was the overall bourgeoisie feel. I saw the two Imen who had escorted us to the inn. They were standing by the bar, talking to the bartender. They seemed serene, until the female looked up and noticed me. There was a flicker of fear in her brown eyes, so fleeting that I almost missed it.

“It might be a little too soon to start reading their emotions.” Caia gave me a gentle warning, as she’d seen the Iman woman, too.

“I know,” I sighed. “I don’t want to freak them out, but I can’t tell right now whether they’re scared of us or whatever it is that’s been taking the Maras.”

“They could be worried that they might be next.” Patrik’s voice startled us both.

He’d been standing behind us, though I wasn’t sure for how long. Jax and Hansa came out of their rooms farther down the corridor and joined us at the top of the stairs. Jax glanced over the balustrade and made eye contact with the Imen servants.

“They’re waiting for us to go downstairs for dinner,” he muttered.

“What do you think of this place?” I asked, eager to find out what was going through his head.

“I think they’re dealing with something here, for sure,” Jax replied. “However, it’s too soon to pass judgment. I do admit I’m breathing a little easier now. The Maras seem to have rebuilt their lives nicely here. But I wouldn’t recommend getting too comfortable with them just yet.”

“Jax, thousands of years have passed since they were exiled.” Hansa frowned slightly. “I’m not one to trust other creatures easily, but even I have to say I believe them when they say they’ve truly changed their ways.”

“I’m not rejecting that premise,” Jax said, glancing around the reception area. “I just want to make sure before we get all giggly and friendly with them.”





Scarlett





(Daughter of Jeramiah & Pippa)





The first thing I did, after dropping my travel bag and backpack on the floor, was sink into the massive bed and revel in its softness. I was genuinely impressed by the plushness and sheer elegance of the place, far beyond what I’d imagined it would be like. The whole city was beautiful, the Exiled Maras’ love for decorative arts present all over the place, from the architectural fluff to the finely crafted pieces of furniture and stylish accents.

I found a safe in my room behind a painting, with the combination scrawled on a piece of paper. I took some essentials out of the backpack, then put it inside, locking it safely and memorizing the code.

The rest of my team was waiting at the top of the stairs, talking among themselves and occasionally looking down at the Mara patrons and Imen servants.

“To be honest,” Jax was saying as I reached them, “our people were nearly obliterated because of these Maras, and we do tend to hold a grudge, even across entire generations, so my doubtful opinion could be biased.”

“At least you’re admitting it.” Heron raised an eyebrow. “I mean, I’m the same. I don’t like them, but it’s not because they did anything to me. On the contrary, so far, they’ve been nothing but gracious and kind. I think we inherited our ancestors’ instincts or something.”

“Can’t say I’m crazy about the fashion here,” Hansa muttered. “Too many skirts and dresses for my taste, but, hey, if that makes them happy, I’m not one to care.”

“And Emilian was right,” Patrik mused, his gaze fixed on the bar downstairs. “They’ve had the swamp witches’ interplanetary spell for so long. They could’ve come back to Eritopia if they wanted to. Maybe they really are happier here.”

“They’re also probably aware that we will rain down fire and death on them if they try anything stupid.” Heron smirked.

“Do you think they’re really sticking exclusively to animal blood?” I asked, prompting everyone to look at me. I felt Patrik’s steel-blue eyes on my face, and my cheeks caught fire, but I did my best to play it cool.

“They could be, but I don’t think so.” Jax scoffed. “Even we don’t live exclusively off animal blood. We do favors around Calliope, get other creatures in our debt for Pyrope. But that’s like a treat, and it never harms or kills the one who willingly gives us blood.”

“You think they’re practicing Pyrope with the Imen?” Heron replied.

“Could be. Or maybe they’re mind-bending them into it,” Jax said quietly.

“We can look into this,” I offered. “Find out if the Imen are giving their blood willingly or are being… convinced to do it.”

“You will do no such thing,” Jax shot back. “Not you, anyway. Leave this to me and Heron. We know how to handle our own species.”

“Besides, a Mara would be much more adept at recognizing symptoms of mind-bending, if I’m not mistaken,” Patrik added, his gaze finding mine again.

I nodded, holding my breath in the process. They were right; we didn’t want to kick a hornet’s nest in here, since it wasn’t even why we’d come all the way here in the first place. Their feeding habits could take a back seat, for now.