Page 33 of Ashvale: The Vampire's Thrall

His light grey eyes widened slightly at the sight of us on his doorstep, but when they reached me he paled. Maybe it was a response I should get used to as an undead vampire, and one so young too, but I could only roll my eyes. He worked with vamps, he should be used to the shock value by now. I shot Hayes a glance, maybe this mage was actually about as useful and experienced as I was when it came to magick.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" I murmured and Hayes snorted as the mage stepped back and waved us inside.

"Unfortunately," the mage muttered and I raised an eyebrow as we walked inside.

"This is Cal," Hayes said over his shoulder, walking straight ahead and leading them into a sitting room that was surprisingly large. Wooden beams ran overhead and the exposed brick gave it a cosy, homely vibe that was nothing like I'd expected.

"Sorry, no cauldrons. I keep those in the kitchen," Cal said, deadpan as he scrubbed a hand over the dark stubble coating his chin and jaw while he watched us take in the space.

Hayes had clearly been here before and I couldn't help my shock at how comfortable he seemed in this man's presence, especially given how walled off he usually was. Hayes raised an eyebrow at me in challenge and I stalked over to him, sitting down next to him on the squishy leather sofa.

Rowan and Novalie shuffled in a little more hesitantly and took seats on the other two-seater sofa, leaving the armchair by the fireplace to the mage.

"What do you need?" Cal asked Hayes and I stiffened, not liking the sharp tone in his voice. Hayes seemed surprised too, so clearly this was not their standard interaction. Maybe he disliked that Hayes had brought us into his space, or, I reassessed as the mage’s eyes flicked back to me, he wasn't keen on hosting an undead vampire.

"Problem?" I asked silkily and watched him swallow hard at the sound of my voice. "Don't worry, I'm sure your lack of hospitality is just because you don't keep much on hand for people like me."

Hayes sighed but I didn't care if he thought I was being rude. Calhad been rude to Hayes first. It wasn't my fault if the stupid fucking bond drove me to defend him.

"It's not necessary," Hayes said and I pointedly didn't look at him. If he wanted to have a conversation we could do it aloud, where he wasn't able to snoop on my bloody thoughts. "Well, stop thinking so loudly then," he hissed and I focused all my energy into imagining maiming him in the bloodiest, messiest way I could think of and was annoyed when he only laughed.

"As fascinating as this is to watch," the mage cut in, eyes keen on our interaction, "can we get to the point of this little visit?"

Hayes spoke over me, clearly knowing I was about to say something unflattering. "Leonora needs help finding her memories. She was murdered before the block could naturally disperse and it locked her out of the memories of her mortal life."

The mage jolted slightly at the sound of my name and I watched him carefully for any signs of danger.

I told you that wasn't necessary,Hayes’ voice drifted through me and my head whipped around as I smacked him on the arm.

"Stay out of my fucking head."

He bit his lip to suppress what I suspected was a laugh.

"I can kickstart your memories," the mage said, his brows coming together over his eyes in apparent concern that only put me on edge. "But it will hurt, and it will take time to come back fully."

"I don't have the time for that. Just give it to me in one go. I can handle the pain."

"Maybe," he said dismissively. "But if your mind was ready to process things then you would already be remembering." He looked at me askance and I stayed quiet. "Exactly. Forcing this is dangerous in itself, but making you remembereverythinghere and now? Your mind could break. And the last thing we need is an insane undead vampire running around unchecked."

"Fine." I sighed. "Can we at least start with the most important memory? My murder?"

"What part of'the trauma will drive you mad'did you not grasp?" the mage snapped and I drew back, surprised.

"Cal," Hayes said reproachfully and the mage took a deep breath, turning away and walking out of the room to what I assumed was the kitchen judging by the sounds coming from that direction.

"I don't trust this," Rowan whispered, leaning from his seat to get closer to ours. "He doesn't seem like he knows what he's doing and if he does, well, he said it might drive you mad."

Novalie seemed a little concerned too but she just looked at me, waiting to see if I wanted to proceed. I nodded at her and she relaxed in her seat and resumed looking around the living space with undisguised interest.

"I have ears," I said blandly and heard Hayes snort.

"Maybe you’re already mad,” Rowan muttered and I shrugged. “I’m just trying to protect you,” he insisted and I nodded slowly.

"I can take care of myself, thank you.” My tone had been polite, but cool, and Rowan flinched.

Cal came back into the room and, thankfully, prevented Rowan from trying to talk me out of anything again. There was a slightly sweaty glass of bright purple liquid in his grip and I wrinkled my nose as I caught a whiff of it. "What is that?"

"Do you really want to know?" Cal said, a smirk on his mouth as he handed it over and I grimaced.

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