Dark Days (The Childe Series, #2) (22 page)

“Edgar, welcome to our home,” Rachel pushed past them and reached out to hug the handsome stranger.

“Rachel, you haven’t changed a bit. Sam told me you had become old and dowdy, but I see he was not telling the truth,” Edgar joked.

“Oh stop it,” Rachel said, pushing him away playfully.

“Taylor, Catherine, I’d like you to meet Edgar Girven, an old and dear friend of mine,” Aldon said.

“And also an admirer of beautiful women,” Sam chuckled, putting his arm around Rachel.

“Very pleased to meet you both,” Edgar said, reaching out a hand to shake both of theirs. Lifting his nose to the air, Edgar breathed in heavily. “Something smells heavenly, Rachel. I sure hope you have not been slaving away in the kitchen on my account,” he stated, smiling at her.

“No, I just whipped up a little something. No chore at all. Now come on in and have a seat in the dining room.  Dinner will be ready shortly. I hope you brought your appetite,” Rachel stated as she headed back into the kitchen.

“I did indeed, that has not changed. I still thoroughly enjoy my food,” Edgar replied following everyone into the dining room.

“So, Mr. Girven how long does it take for you to get here?”  Cat asked when there was a lull in the dinner conversation.

He smiled. “Too long my dear. I loathe flying.”

Not too shabby for an older guy, quite charming really,
Cat thought.

After dinner, the men retired to the study while Cat and Taylor helped the women clean up. With the dishes done, Taylor gave his mom and Druanna a quick kiss on the cheek and Cat a head rub as he exited the kitchen on his way to meet Trish.

“I’m going to my room to read for a bit,” Cat said while making her way up the stairs.

“Okay, sweetie, we’re going to make sure those three men are behaving themselves,” Rachel said.

Opening her bedroom door Cat smiled as she saw Ryan reclining on her couch, reading her newest movie magazine. “Been waiting long?” she asked as he sat up, grinning at her.

“Not long. About fifteen minutes or so. Your parents?”

“They’re in the study with my aunt and uncle and our dinner guest. A rather handsome man actually.”

“Handsome, huh? So, how old is this guest?” Ryan asked casually, though Cat could sense he was tense waiting for her reply.

“Why are you so interested in his age, Ryan?” she replied with an eyebrow raised. Ryan looked pointedly at her. “Okay, he’s really old. As old as Aldon is,” she laughed as he jumped up and grabbed her around the waist.

“Good, so if I have to fight him, I should have an edge,” he whispered in her ear.

“I don’t know. He’s quite tall, and looks like he could hold his own,” she replied innocently.

“Bet he doesn’t kiss as well as I do.”

“You might just win that bet,” Cat said as he moved in to prove his point.

 “So, I understand Catherine has been told she was adopted, and also that she is a Childe. I am sure you know the council had reservations about her finding out all of this. But she seems to have adjusted to the news pretty well,” Edgar said, reclining in the overstuffed chair in the study.

“Not at first, I’m afraid. When she found out she was adopted it didn’t go as well as we hoped. Then a week later she was hit with the fact she’s half vampire. It has taken a while, but we feel she’s coming around,” Sam sighed, leaning back and putting his arm around Rachel. Rachel nodded in agreement.

“She has no idea about us though, right?” Edgar asked.

“No. We feel she has enough on her plate at the moment. And her safety is the main priority here,” Rachel replied, unconsciously biting her lower lip after she finished talking.

“Do you think that is wise? Not telling her?” Edgar asked Sam, much to Rachel’s relief.

“Yes, we do. Aldon and I have discussed the matter thoroughly and have agreed, as Rachel stated, Cat has enough to contend with at the moment.”

“Good, that is how the council sees it as well. I shall report back to them that I find Cat a most charming young lady. You should be proud of her, and Taylor too, of course.  This was not an easy task for you to take on, but you seem to be handling it quite well. But, if she is ever made aware of us, the council will have its say. You do understand this?  It will be for your safety and ours,” Edgar explained. Everyone nodded in agreement. “Now, on to the next matter. Aldon informed me that thankfully, no other girls have disappeared. But it does worry me that there is no sign of what has happened to the three who are still missing. Tomorrow I have a meeting with Lucien to discuss his feelings on the subject. Then I will return to the council with my findings.” 

“Would you like some more to drink?” Rachel asked noticing Edgar’s empty glass.

“Certainly, how about another refill of that fine wine we’ve been enjoying? It is quite exquisite. Truly good, indeed,” he said, smacking his lips.

 “Sire, my humble apologies for the interruption, but there is someone at the gate wishing an audience with you. He is quite the bold individual. Pue almost took his head off, but he insisted on speaking with you about a very important matter. It is from his mistress. What do you wish I do with him?” Andrei’s servant Tal swallowed nervously, waiting for Andrei’s reply.

“Send him in. If this information is lucrative, he will live, if not, we shall feed,” Andrei sneered as his servant hurried out of the room. He returned a few seconds later with a tall, slender, regally-dressed individual who was holding a letter in his hand. His face was stoic. “Who sent you?” Andrei demanded, shocked when the stranger met his eyes straight on, with not a hint of fear in them.