Page 3 of Wanted 3

On the floor in front of the fire, my brother sat across from Leonard, playing a board game. They were both laughing, Jeremy a full belly laugh and Leonard more of a dry chuckle. They stopped when I walked into the room.

"Kassy! You're okay!" Jeremy threw himself into my arms.

I hugged him fiercely and kissed the top of his head. "Hey, buddy. I'm fine." I pushed him back a little to get a better look at him. "Are you okay? Promise? This has been kind of a crazy night." That was an understatement, but I had no idea how much he knew. I had to proceed cautiously in order to not alarm him more than he already was.

His mouth took on a grim cast. "Dad showed up," he said softly, looking down at his feet before lifting his head and relaxing into a genuine smile. "But then Leonard scared him off and didn't even seem upset about how dad was acting. He's so cool. I want to be like Leonard when I grow up."

I snorted at that and glanced over at Leonard.

The butler looked slightly abashed at the compliment. Then, he turned his attention to my brother. "You are already very brave. You need only strive to be more of yourself."

Jeremy puffed out his chest at that and dragged me to the board game, some kind of a fantasy quest saga. He handed me the mini princess sculpture and said, "I saved her for you to play. Come on. It's fun. We're about to fight the trolls."

I raised an eyebrow at that, thinking of the bog troll trapped by Don. And that only served to bring my thoughts back to the Count.

As if reading my mind, Leonard leaned over and asked quietly. "Where has he gone?"

I shrugged. "He didn't say, but he was pissed."

Leonard nodded as if it was all par for the course.

I eyed him curiously, wanting to ask him what he was, if not human or vampire… or troll, presumably. But with Jeremy right there, I knew it wasn’t the right time. So, instead, I took my place on the floor before the fire and played the game.

I learned three things that night.

One: My brother was even more clever than I’d realized.

Two: Leonard was downright funny.

And three: My patience hadn’t improved at all since I was a child.

It took everything in me to not pace the floor and wear a hole in the hardwood while waiting for the Count to return. Everything about my life and future lay at his feet and I hated not knowing what would become of us.

I tried to focus on just the positive, of having Jeremy safe and sound. I ruffled his hair just to have an excuse to touch him. Time passed. I rolled the dice and made my moves. Excited, Jeremy offered his opinions on how to play my character, sharing his strategies, but I only half listened.

My attention was more on the front door, downstairs.

It wasn’t until an hour later—an hour that felt more like a year of sitting tense, every nerve raw with anticipation—that I heard the door open.

The sound sent me to my feet. “I have to go,” I choked, my heart thumping loud in my chest. I glanced at Leonard. “Stay with him?"

The butler nodded.

"I'll be back, kiddo,” I murmured to Jeremy, stroking his head one last time, just to remind myself that no matter what happened, it had all been worth it. “I just have to check in on the Count."

Jeremy nodded through his disappointment that I wouldn't be staying to finish the game, but he didn't argue. After all, the kid was used to being let down.

I raced downstairs, but the Count wasn’t in the foyer. I found him in the kitchen, his back to the door, his long cloak stained with slashes of crimson.

Blood. My gut twisted.

"What happened?" I whispered, not sure I really wanted to know.

"I told you,” he replied in a low voice without turning around. “I will kill to protect you and Jeremy."

My heart skipped a beat and my mouth went dry. "What did you do?"

He straightened and shifted his weight before turning to face me. "What needed to be done."

---