It's been 12 years since the Darkflame family came to Garside Grange. And four years since Ingrid wreaked chaos on Stokely. But Kalinda is going to have to watch her back when it comes to all of this.
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"Please, tell me he's not going to be doing that the whole time." Vlad almost pleads, referring to his bodyguard. Yes, that's right. The VHC has given my husband a tall, hooded, constantly droning bodyguard. And the noise is what Vlad's referring to. At the same time, I'm confused as to why they'd even appoint one. I mean, yes, he's half breather and his powers aren't exactly as good as they used to be but no one outside this building knows about that. I hope so.
"Father Tollunde is a deeply religious vampire." And to introduce us to this new shield is a tall, gray haired and presentable member of the High Council. "His mantra keeps him in a constant state of heightened awareness. Something we thought might be important after the recent assassination attempt. And what with," He looks at me. "The Shadow Warriors having you, Kalinda, as their number one target." Hmm.
"You seem to know a lot about me," I say to him, raising an eyebrow. "Mr...?"
"Roquelaire. As VHC Security Chief, it's my job to know. Like I know that Ingrid Dracula has been listening in to our conversation for the past five minutes." He reaches over towards the door handle and yanks it open to reveal a slightly impressed but busted Vampiress.
"Not listening in, actually." She says but we all know the truth. "I just didn't want to leave Vlad and Kallie alone with a stranger." Isn't she on the VHC? Doesn't she know this man? "They're very important to us, too." And with a small, innocent smile, she leaves.
"Okay." Vlad continues to speak to Roquelaire. "So, I've got some privacy issues but don't you think, as The Chosen One, I can look after myself?"
"In a straight fight. Perhaps." He reaches into the pocket of his blazer. "But what about when it's a surprise attack?!" He throws it at my husband. But before I can do anything, the guard takes hold of the weapon and crumples it up into little pieces, like a young child with tissue paper.
"You're welcome." He says in his monotone voice. Right. Well. I might've been wrong.
"It's only a temporary measure," Roquelaire says. "Until the assassins who tried to take your life are caught." And with a slight bow, the man leaves the three of us to it.
"Yeah, well, I knew you were gonna do that!" Vlad tries to call after him. "Obviously, I'm so powerful, the stakes practically bounce off me. I, uh, laugh in the face of pointy wood. Hah!" 'I laugh in the face of pointy wood'? Well, that's definitely the weirdest thing I've ever heard. It tops almost everything The Count's ever said.
******************************************************** Now, it's time to meet our newest potential buyer. I have no idea as to who he is but according to The Count, he's a biter and quite wealthy. Also, a businessman who dabbles in selling stuffed bats for decor. I have no idea as to why no one else other than myself finds this odd. That bat used to be a vampire. You're just having a stuffed vampire in your home. Ugh.
