Book 1 - Page 54 (1/2)
”She has changed her mind. She doesn't want to come up to visit with the wolf. They can come to her instead.” Estelle didn't seem to react to Stefan at all.
”They are under my protection.” Stefan's voice darkened in a way I'd never heard it before.
”She said you may come, too, if you wish.” She looked at Samuel. ”I'll need to take any crosses or holy objects you are wearing, please. We do not allow people to go armed in the presence of our Mistress.”
She held out a gold-embossed leather bag, and Samuel unhooked his necklace. When he pulled it out of his s.h.i.+rt, the necklace didn't blaze or glow. It was just a bit of ordinary metal, but I saw her involuntary shudder when it brushed close to her skin.
She looked at me and I pulled out my necklace and showed her my sheep. ”No crosses,” I said in a bland voice. ”I didn't expect to be out speaking to your Mistress tonight.”
She didn't even glance at Zee's dagger, dismissing it as a weapon. After pulling the drawstring tight, she let the bag dangle from it. ”Come with me.”
”I'll bring them down in a minute,” Stefan said. ”Go tell her we are coming.”
The other vampire raised her eyebrows but left without a word, carrying the bag with Samuel's cross in it.
”There's something more happening than I thought,” Stefan said rapidly. ”Against most of those here, I can protect you, but not the Mistress herself. If you'd like, I'll get you out of here and see if I can find the information without you.”
”No,” said Samuel. ”We're here now. Let us finish this.”
Samuel's words slurred a little, and I saw Stefan give him a sharp glance.
”Once more I offer you escort away from here.” This time Stefan looked at me. ”I would have no harm come to you and yours here.”
”Can you find out where the other wolves are, if she doesn't want you to?” I asked him.
He hesitated, which was answer enough.
”We'll go talk to her, then,” I said.
Stefan nodded, but not like he was happy about it. ”Then I find myself echoing your gremlin. Keep your eyes away from hers. She'll probably have others with her, whether she allows you to see them or not. Don't look at anyone's eyes. There are four or five here who could entangle even your wolf.”