My concern becomes more evident as her eyebrows pinch, and she jerks her head inmydirection.
“Interesting…” She moves the phone away from her face. “Do you own a cat?”
Sydni quite literally shrieks. “Mister?!”
“Black fur, yellow eyes?—”
“Yes, yes! Oh my Gods!” Tears immediately spring from her eyes.
“Who is that?” I ask.
“Butler…”
My immediate thought is that cat has to be the smartest creature ever to have found Alaric’s mansion. The second one, ishow?
Niyla puts the phone back to her ear, and slowly her face shifts to something unreadable. “I don’t understand. Is he a Shifter?”
The devastation that washes over Sydni prompts Brice to stand and move toward her, his hand wrapping around the back of her neck. She turns to him, burying her face in the center of his chest.
I can’t hear whomever it is on the other line very well. Most mobile companies have blockers muffling the sound, since Vampires would hear every conversation imaginable. So I’m not surprised her model has it.
Although it is quite annoying, I must admit.
Kayn’s tone is sharp when he says, “Someone’s coming.”
It’s then I hear tires on the gravel driveway, and stiffen. All of us, except Niyla, seem to stop breathing.
She puts her hand up. “It’s Alaric’s butler, Ismael. Relax…”
I’d barely spoken to the man, had only caught a glimpse of him, because rarely had I made eye contact with anyone during those first few days Xeraphine had been taken.
Why the Beyond is he here?
We silently make our way outside just as a dark Lincoln pulls up. All the windows are blacked out, and it looks squeaky clean — go figure.
The moment he comes to a stop, the driver side door opens, and through the darkness of the night I can’t miss the bright yellow eyes of Mister as he jumps from the car. A loud,murrrow, echoing through the silence around us.
Thank Gods.All I can think in this moment is how happy Xeraphine is going to be.
Sydni squeals. “Oh my goodness, itisMister!”
I’m a little concerned how Ismael knows where we are. Alaric stated he wouldn’t be telling anyone, including his Butler. So, looks like that little shit lied—am I surprised? Not really, but I’ll be happy to tell my little demon when she gets home. Hopefully she’ll beat his ass, or allow Kayn and I to do so.
Mister barrels across the way, and for a moment, I assume he’s going to leap straight into my butterfly’s arms. But he doesn’t. Instead, he charges right past her and stops in front of me, sitting at my feet.
“You didn’t tell me Xeraphine had a Familiar,” Kayn remarks.
“A… what?”
Murrrowww. Murrow. Brrrooow.
“Hmm, you don’t talk?” he continues, stepping up and kneeling down in front of the feline. “Luce’s did.”
The moment he is going in for a pet, Mister hisses and swats at his hand. His hackles raise and he bares his fangs. He’s never really liked anyone beyond Sydni and myself. I remember he wasn’t a fan of Tyson, unsure why, but during the few days we were all together he’d stay clear of him.
“Don’t take it personally,” Syd says. “What’s a Familiar? Like a pet?”
Kayn doesn’t stand, instead pointing his finger right at the cats nose. “Talk kitty, I know you can.”
