Page 46 of Twice Bitten

I could leave here now, no better or worse off, and justify my actions because I believed this woman had meant me harm. Or I could follow and learn something new. My greedy heart yearned for knowledge, anything to help me understand who she was and maybe even what had happened to her after she’d left me.

I stepped inside. The door closed behind us with a click. We stood inside a small room lined with bookshelves on the back wall. A recliner and a small table sat next to the shelves. Someone had carelessly tossed a blanket over the back of the chair, and a steaming cup sat on the table.

“Have your implant looked at immediately,” the woman said. “You’re lucky the Prime didn’t sense the magic.”

I took a step back. “Excuse me?”

She waved a hand. “Your mother and I were friends. She and I designed the implant together, though the final design was kept secret from me.” A sad smile. “By the time you wore the implant, we no longer spoke.”

“You’re a witch.”

Another sad smile. “Of a sort.”

I didn’t smile back. “Who are you?”

“My name is Imelda. I am the Prime’s Head Witch.”

“Why wouldn’t you tell him?”

She stared at me. “He is my employer, not my friend, Alex. Your mother and I were friends for many years.”

“Then why haven’t I heard of you?”

Sadness pooled in her amber eyes. “Because I’ve been employed by the Prime since you were five years old. The Prime is not an evil man, but I choose to keep my personal life separate from my work life, and your mother did not approve of my employer.”

“Won’t he know we’re speaking?” I had no doubt Alric had eyes and ears everywhere, maybe even cameras. Was he watching me now? A shiver rolled down my spine. I rubbed my hands over my arms, but the feeling didn’t subside. I would not feel safe until I got the hell out of this mansion.

“The Prime has been pulled away for a moment for other business, but I will know when he’s close.” She shook her head. “None of that is important. You must get your implant fixed. Your magic is leaking and it won’t be long before it attracts other attention, not as friendly as mine.”

“I don’t understand. Why does that matter? I have an appointment to have the damage fixed, but why would this attract anyone else?”

Imelda’s brow furrowed. “Your mother didn’t tell you.” She closed her eyes for a brief moment and exhaled.

“Obviously not.” My gut clenched at the evidence of more secrets my mother had kept from me. “I assumed the implant was there for a reason, but Mom never explained what it was for, only that it would hide my power. After a while I stopped questioning things.” Looking back, that seemed foolish, but I’d had the implant forever and nothing bad ever happened. The thing just became part of me.

Her head snapped up and tilted, a hint of magic glowing in her eyes. “He’s coming this way. You must go.” The door clicked open. “I will find you whenI can.”

All vampires were bonded to their masters, but I was surprised Alric had a blood bond with a witch. It was highly unusual. Most witches wouldn’t allow it. Why had Imelda?

“But—” I argued. I wanted to hear more about my mother and my magic.

She gently pushed me from the room. “Hurry. The Prime will be out in a moment. Be wary of him. He is too curious about you.”

“Why can’t you just tell me?”

She shook her head. “It is not my story to tell, and I don’t know everything. Only a fraction. Ask your mother to tell you.” Her lips thinned. “I’m surprised she hasn’t already told you about this.”

I stared at her for a long moment. “My mother is missing. More than likely dead.”

Imelda sucked in a shocked breath. “When?”

“A few years ago.” I studied her with suspicion. “If you were such good friends, you should have known.”

Imelda flinched. “I serve at the pleasure of the Prime. You would not understand.” She gently pushed me from the alcove. “Leave, Alex. While you still can.”

She stepped back into the room and closed the door. Unnerved, I hurried down the hall and out of the mansion.

Leo waited by the passenger door of the Rolls Royce wearing an unreadable expression. He held the door open but stepped in front of me when his attention caught something above my head.