Page 65 of Vampire Visions

“Home sweet home.” York sounded relaxed.

“I don’t mind staying here, but eventually we’re gonna have to go back to the apartment.” Briggs was hesitant.

Novak chortled, his amusement traveling through the house. “You guys can. I don’t really want to.”

“We have bills, Novak.” Vaughn reminded him.

“I’d be more than happy to sublease my room out to Levi.” Novak responded quickly.

“We still have six months on the lease,” Stone supplied. “I do love not seeing that creepy neighbor lady, though.”

“Ms. Annette?” Palmer asked. “What’s wrong with ‘er?”

“She just creeps me out.” Stone surmised.

“The frail old lady from next door creeps the demon out? I think I’ve heard it all now,” Briggs admitted.

“Nah, I get weird vibes from her, too.” Novak agreed.

I took my time walking down the stairs, in no hurry to cut their conversation short. The topic really didn’t matter to me, I just enjoyed listening to them talk. It was oddly comforting, and that was another scary thought. It had taken me a few days to adjust to their constant presence, but now it felt normal. Whatever normal was…

I’d made it to the top of the second floor stairs when I heard several gasps. Rushing, I found all six of them staring at the top of the kitchen island. A crisp white envelope was sitting in the middle, and I glared at it, recognizing the handwriting instantly. The last letter the fae-mage hybrid had left for me had contained the charms from my mother’s necklace.

I didn’t like the game he was playing, and I didn’t want to open another envelope from him. I was so far out of my depth when it came to feeling like prey. I’d been born a predator. The exhilaration of having my mates chase me was not the same thing.

“Sweetheart,” York snapped his fingers in front of my face. “You look like you’re trying to light that letter on fire with your eyes.”

“This just popped up on the kitchen counter?” I asked my druid, ignoring his comment.

“Yeah,” Novak answered, looking the parcel over with concern. “I don’t like this,” he whispered.

“Something must have triggered it,” I thought out loud. “Otherwise it would have been here when you guys stepped through the Void.”

“What’re ya gonna do with it?” Palmer inquired, flipping it over and tracing his fingers along the seal. “I don’t feel any magic.”

Briggs shook his head. “I didn’t pick up any unusual scents when I got here.”

“Call Franklin,” Vaughn suggested. “Two breaches in a week? That’s not a coincidence.”

“You’re right,” I conceded, searching the pockets on the thighs of my workout leggings. “And the hounds checked inside and out before I summoned you guys, so I’m not sure… where the fuck is my phone?”

“Uhm, Sweetheart.” York furrowed his brows as he looked at his phone. “Jack is calling me.”

“Answer it.”

“York?” Jack asked as soon as York answered the call.

“Yes?” He set his phone down in between us, hitting the speakerphone button.

Jack sighed, sounding relieved. “Sloane’s with you, right?”

“I’m here. What’s wrong?”

“Well, I don’t know where I should start exactly.” Jack chuckled nervously.

“Seriously?” Grim questioned Jack. “We have your phone, and someone is following us. Also, a restricted number has called you nearly a dozen times.”

Jack huffed. “They’re calling again.”