Excerpts from Betrayed in Blood

I heard the squeal of Ginger’s voice the minute I stepped into the manor.

“You’re home!” Ginger raced down the stairs and practically flew across the foyer.

I dropped my bag to steady myself as she flung her arms around me. I laughed. “Apparently, so are you.” I hugged her back and whispered, “I’m so glad you made it back. It must have been hard.”

Ginger pulled back and wiped an eye. “It’s all okay now.”

She didn’t fool me, but this wasn’t the time or place. That would be later with a bottle of wine.

Devon put an arm around Ginger and kissed her cheek. “Thank you for a successful mission. I hear we have you to thank for House Bertrand’s support.”

She blushed and glanced down at the cooler he was holding. I was impressed by her blank expression when I knew she was dying to know what was inside. Devon wouldn’t be carrying around a six-pack. She smiled at him. “That was all Lucas. It’s his sister’s House, after all.”

“But it was Mason’s decision as House leader, and you’re the one who encouraged the visit. I know the intent was for Lucas to reunite with his sister, but that act was important to Lucas and, as such, to this House. So, thank you.”

She blushed and played with the deep-lavender silk scarf wrapped around her neck, the only color in her black leggings and shirt ensemble. “Any time.”

“I’ll need both of you to join us in an hour. I’m sure the two of you have a lot to catch up on.” He kissed my cheek then headed toward his office.

“You’re late.”

I twirled around to find Simone glaring at us with her hands fisted on her hips. Her signature Wonder Woman pose. “I missed you, too.”

Her lips twitched. “We expected you yesterday.”

“I know. But you said Lucas needed time to decipher the book, and Devon ran into an old friend who had some business deal he wanted to talk about. I should have found a more quaint village.”

Sergi joined us and simply nodded at me. “Simone, Devon has asked to meet with you first. The rest of the cadre will join you in fifteen minutes.”

Simone gave me another blistering look, though her lips were still twitching as she strode past us.

“So, did you miss us?” I asked Sergi.

Sergi’s brow went up. “I forgot how peaceful the manor was with the two of you on missions. And I expect you in the training room this afternoon. You must be soft after two weeks away, schmoozing vampires and playing in the sand.”

He strode away, and I called out, “You meant boring. The manor was boring before I arrived.”