Page 47 of Vampire's Hearth

Conall glanced at me before chuckling, the sound echoing eerily off the walls. I turned from his gaze to face her. “Lyra, I’d ask that you show some courtesy to our hosts. We’re here to understand more about their family, not to make enemies.”

Aurora furrowed her brow. The understanding in her eyes was unsettling because behind it lay something else—a calm trust? Making an enemy of the O’Cillians was not something anyone wanted. Conall’s impish grin caught my eye; he knew we were safe, but Lyra’s ignorance could still be a dangerous thing.

Lyra scoffed, crossing her arms. “So are we just supposed to drop our stuff and sleep on the floor?”

“No,” I answered, my tone dry as I met her gaze. “You’ll learn your way around soon enough, but for now, let me give you a brief tour. The music room is on the left. The ladies’ and gentlemen’s parlors are on the right. Farther down, to the right, is the formal dining room, and straight ahead is the solarium.”

Conall raised an eyebrow at me as he cleared his throat, his eyes dancing, reminding me I was not to be the host.

I forced a smile, turning toward him. “Would you care to show us to our rooms?” I asked, hoping to deflect.

Conall smirked, sarcasm dripping from his voice. “Absolutely, good sir.” He led us through the hall toward the large, empty fireplace. I would have to light a fire later, just to enjoy its nostalgic comfort. I glanced at Rory, a subtle smile on my lips, and saw the sheer wonder of the moment reflecting in her eyes as she looked at the gallery. My heart fluttered as I watched her experience my home for the first time.

“What’s up there?” she asked, leaning toward me and pointing at the gallery above the fireplace.

“Beyond the doors is an overlook, but otherwise, the family’s rooms are all on the first floor.”

“Mac, care to explain how you know that?” Conall asked with barely restrained mirth, his lips faintly twitching and the corner of his eyes crinkling.

I shook my head, my smile widening. “You’ve invited me here enough times.”

Conall chuckled, his laughter a low rumble. “Ladies, this way.” He entered the last archway on the right and led us up a stairwell.

He paused at the top of the stairs and pointed at the lone door on the right-hand side of the hallway. “This is where you will find Mac and me.” He looked at me pointedly. “I insist you stay nearby, where I can monitor you. Ladies, your rooms are on the guest floor,” Conall explained as he guided us through the labyrinth.

I hid a smile as my heart tingled at his words. He had made it possible for me to stay in my own room instead of on the guest floor—a move I was highly appreciative of. He pushed open the farthest door in the back right of the house with a flourish. “Welcome home. You have everything you need. Two bedroomson the left, a drawing room through the door in front of you, and your bathroom on the right.”

Aurora smiled, her eyes wide in surprise. “This is amazing.”

I tried to look at the room through her eyes. The pale blue walls of the windowless sitting room had always made me feel like I was immersed in a shallow lagoon. The light of the sconces cast halos of white in their light above the dark blue upholstered settee and chairs. I smiled, my eyes falling on the dark brown coffee table and the television now mounted to the wall across from it, the two pieces shattering my illusion.

Lyra, for once devoid of her usual sarcasm, simply muttered, “Thanks.”

I couldn’t tell if she was truly thankful or if the weight of our being here had finally settled on her.

I turned to Aurora, my voice soft. “How are you feeling? Did you sleep enough on the plane?”

She nodded. “I think so, but I’m still a little tired.”

I gave her a small smile, searching her eyes for anything more concerning than jet lag. It didn’t appear my blood had adversely affected the High Priestess Heir, but the last thing I wanted was to harm her. “We don’t have to do much today. We can rest if you’d like.”

She nodded again, softer this time. “I would like that.” She held my eyes a moment longer than necessary, and a warm heat rose through my body as I stopped myself from reaching for her.

Lyra’s voice pulled us from the moment with a grating declaration. “I’m taking the second room.”

Conall laughed, his voice teasing. “It might suit you.”

“What does that mean?” Lyra snapped, her eyes flashing an unspoken challenge.

“Nothing,” I said quickly, cutting off Conall’s sharp retort. They would need to know the story soon, about the dangers lurking around the manor, but now was not the time. Auroraneeded rest, and I intended for that to be peaceful before she learned the full history of our home.

Aurora tilted her head toward me. “What does that mean?”

I hesitated and threw a quick glare at Conall for bringing it up.

“Mac?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

I clenched my jaw, as I realized she wasn’t going to let it go. “The last guest who stayed in that room was murdered by the Dearg Dur. She still holds a grudge against the O’Cillian family.”

---