Page 41 of Fangs, Frost, and Folios
“Thank Christ.”
“Giovanni will be able to find us,” Beatrice said. “One of the advantages of being mated—”
“Yes, yes, yes.” René rolled his eyes. “His blood calls to yours and yours to his. I’ve heard the stories. Just shut up and keep the old man alive.”
Beatrice wanted to strangle him, but she bit her tongue instead. If he could do anything to move the stones of the door without bringing the entire vault and the manor above it crashing down, she’d swallow every threat she’d ever made against the arrogant vampire.
“I don’t have a fraction of my grandsire’s strength.” René put his hands on the metal hinges. “But I do take after him in one way.”
Earth vampires were funny creatures. Maybe the most nonvampiric of their kind, they tended to be associated with home, hearth, and family. They had sprawling clans and avoided drama if they weren’t René du Pont.
They also had different affinities, some for stone, some for living things, and others…
The metal under René’s hands began to warp.
Yes. Thank God, finally a stroke of luck. René’s affinity was to metal.
“These hinges are old iron,” René said. “And heavy. If they were newer, they’d be easier to warp.”
“And the metal door outside?”
“I should be able to break that one easily. Modern metal isn’t as dense as the older kind.”
She watched him slowly pry the iron hinges from the door. “Is this how you’ve escaped from prison so many times?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Where did you hear that?”
“From your aunt. I think she’s proud of you.”
“Heh.” René humphed. “She could show it better.”
“She’s saved your life a half dozen times at least.”
“She married that Neanderthal with no fashion sense.Sheshould be running London, not him.”
It was Beatrice’s turn to roll her eyes.
She heard Nick stirring. Without missing a beat, she reached over and sent him right back to sleep with her amnis. The last thing she needed was another panicking human.
“Miss De Novo.”
Barnes was conscious. Barely.
“Mr. Barnes, we’re working on getting out of here. We’ve stabilized the wound, and the bleeding has slowed down. We’re going to get you to a—”
“Is Lord Mortimer safe?”
Beatrice sighed. “He’s fine, Mr. Barnes. Please don’t worry about Nick. He’s strong and he’ll be okay.”
“I believe Mrs. Dawson is also safe. Did I hear you say that?”
She might be waking up to a couple of thieves shouting through duct tape, but Beatrice was relatively certain they were well and thoroughly trapped in the broom closet. “I believe she’s safe too.”
“Miss Lambert—”
“Is gone. I’m sure…” She felt a wave of warmth pass through her. “My husband is almost here. I can feel him.”
“Good.” René grunted. “These hinges are ancient.”
