Page 63 of The Vampire Always Rises
“And then I texted Ellis the same thing, only without the accusations of kidnapping, and asked him to call me when he could and tell me where he was, but I haven’t heard anything back from him, either.” I bit my lower lip, concern about Ellis ruining the joy at seeing Merrick again. “I hope he’s OK. Merrick, we have to find him. I can’t just let him be kidnapped by my cousin without making sure he’s alive and well and unharmed.”
“What’s this?” Han asked, his head snapping around to glare at me. “Cousin? Victor is yourcousin?”
“Possibly my cousin—” I started to explain, but Merrick interrupted by storming over to me, and inexplicably shoving me behind him so that I was staring at the back of his head.
What the Heckle and Jeckle?I gave his shoulder a little shove.Why did you do that?
Self-preservation. I don’t want to have to feed from cows and die alone in my pretty house. Stop shoving me. I don’t like it.
And I don’t like being pushed behind you to stare at your big fat head, either!
My head is not fat, and stop poking my shoulder. I know you are unhappy, but right now, I have something more important to deal with.
I stopped my hand in midpunch to his shoulder, and asked,Like what?
Keep the other Horsemen from sacrificing you.
“Your Beloved is cousin to Victor?” Ciaran asked, his face furious. He stalked forward, which just made Merrick growl. “You knew and you didn’t tell us?”
“Do you have any idea how much time and trouble this would have saved us?” Han asked, his voice a near shout. I had been about to move next to Merrick to show them I wasn’t afraid, but I’ve always had a dislike of men shouting. It went back to when I was a small child, and my father had just joined the cult, and I was constantly being “corrected.”
“Stop shouting. You are upsetting Tempest,” Merrick said, his voice low, but with an edge of menace in it that caused me to glance at the back of his head with new respect.
I’m not actually that upset, but thank you for thinking of me. Just out of curiosity, if one of them tried to attack me, would you fight him?
Of course.
Even though they’re your besties?
I don’t have a friend, let alone a best friend. They are compatriots, nothing more.
But you’d still fight them?
Yes.I heard the exasperation even though he hadn’t spoken aloud.
Would that be because I’m your Beloved?
I don’t tolerate anyone attacking those who are weaker,he answered, sidestepping the question.It offends my sense of honor.
“But you knew!” Han said, jabbing a finger in Merrick’s chest.
“We aren’t certain that her cousin Carlo is Victor; we believe he might be one and the same, but until we know for a fact that he is, we’re treating him with extreme caution.”
I laid my hand on his shoulder blade, and beamed warm thoughts at him.
What are you doing?he asked, startled.
Being supportive. Showing you how much I appreciate your protective streak. Letting you know that I have your back.
Han snapped something in a language I didn’t recognize, and stormed over to the door, then back, running a hand through his hair. I peeked around Merrick to watch them, decided that although both men looked furious, they weren’t going to attack.
You have a very odd view of Dark Ones if you think we are steeped in chivalric manners and yet would attack an unarmed woman.
Han yelled. I could tell he wanted to yell at me.
I frequently find myself in just such a situation,he thought drily.
Yeah, but that’s because we’re a couple. I want to shake you sometimes, too,I said, pinching his back.
