Hunter by Night (30 page)

“Here.” Alexia unfolded the small blanket and held it out to Isabel. Made with a fuzzy, synthetic yarn, it had wound up being a colorful array of stripes in blues, pinks, and purples. “I meant to just get it started for you, but then I got into the zone.”

Isabel laughed. “And while you were in the zone, you got in the car and went to the craft store for more yarn?”

“Tons.” Alexia tugged at a strand of hair that had the gall to slip from behind her ear. “It’s amazing what you do when you’re in the zone.”

Next to Isabel on the bed, baby Sophie slipped a tiny fist free from her swaddling, squirming until half her upper body was out. Isabel frowned. “She’ll be awake soon. She’s like Houdini. No matter how well I wrap her, once the arms are out, that’s all she wrote.”

Alexia laughed. “She’s beautiful, Izzy.”

Isabel grinned. “Thank you.” She slipped a pinky finger inside her sleeping daughter’s tightly curled hand. “She’s clearly very talented. We’re so proud.”

Alexia leaned her hip on the edge of the four-poster bed. “Will you have to have another?”

Isabel’s look of alarm was priceless. “Why?”

Well, color her stupid. She’d just assumed… “Thad needs an heir, right? Someone to be king someday when he kicks the bucket?”

“Oh.” Isabel seemed to relax. She shifted on the bed, and Sophia wiggled, too. “I don’t know. Maybe this little one takes the throne someday and her mate is the supporting cast. Maybe we try for a boy. If we do, we don’t have to do it soon. It’s common for vampire siblings to be decades or even centuries apart, thanks to our biology. Thad doesn’t like the idea of having a male only to be king. There are a lot of questions to be answered. Either way, it’s a very long way off. With hope, Thad is a good many centuries from stepping down.”

Alexia nodded. “A lot of questions to be answered. Yeah. Well, maybe Lee can help, now that he’s going to be on the Council.”

A knock came from the doorway. “Did someone say my name?”

Ho, baby
. His hair had grown. Not long, but enough that he could comb it back, and the charcoal suit hugged his sturdy frame nicely. Veeery nicely. “Look at you.” Her breath caught.

“Looking very handsome, Lee.” Isabel smiled approvingly. It was a nice thing because once upon a time Isabel had suggested to Alexia that perhaps she’d be better off giving Lee a pass.

Alexia had tried. Really, she had.

“Thank you.” He smiled self-consciously. “May I come in?”

Looking at his face now, Alexia couldn’t figure out why she had tried so hard.

She turned to face him. “Is it uncomfortable?”

“It’s”—he held his arms out—“different.”

“You do look very nice. Gorgeous.” She brushed a hand down the lapel. “I know it will be a big change.”

Thad came in. “Temporary, we hope.” He clapped a hand on Lee’s back. “I appreciate you having my back on the Council. You have no idea.”

Lee grunted. “Anything. Still, you think anybody will talk around me, knowing my loyalty to you?”

Thad lifted a shoulder. “My hope is that you can convince them otherwise. Or somebody’s tongue slips. And if you get nothing, you get nothing. There’s no reason this has to be a career move.” He nodded to Alexia. “That’s between you and your woman, once the baby comes. I’m modifying the language of the Council law. Induction will no longer be mandatory. We don’t want cranky assholes like you on the Council against their will.”

Lee barked a laugh. The two clasped hands, pulling each other in for a brotherly hug. “I guess we’ll see how the Council reacts.”

Thad shrugged his shoulders. “Who knows? Maybe the trouble died with Siddoh’s uncle. Haig’s body was reportedly found at the hospital after Lexi fought with him, and nothing’s been heard from the wizard leader in a month. Perhaps we’re truly entering a time of peace.”

“I hate to hope,” Lee said, “but…” He grinned at Alexia. “Never say never.”

Alexia absorbed the picture in front of her. Two vampires. Friends, fighters. Planning to investigate a potential enemy inside the Elders’ Council. How did this become her life?

Isabel threaded her fingers through Alexia’s. “I’m glad you stayed,” her friend whispered.

Alexia nodded. “So am I.” Truly.

Across the room, Lee and Thad clasped hands. Lee reached out to her. “You’re coming with me to the ceremony?”

“Of course.” She didn’t give a shit if the whole thing was faked for Lee to be Thad’s spy. She wouldn’t miss his induction ceremony for anything. She would stand next to him as his mate, and all those stuffy old goats could take their human interaction bill and put it in a place where the moon glow couldn’t ever shine.

They left Thad to say his good-byes to Isabel. Lee pulled Alexia close and kissed her firmly when the door to the royal suite closed behind them. “Okay,” he breathed. “Ready?”

She smiled up at him. “With you, I’m ready for anything.”

Many, many thanks to my brilliant editors, Deb Werksman and Cat Clyne. Also to Susie Benton, Skye Agnew, Beth Pehlke, and everyone else at Sourcebooks who have been so fantastic in helping to see these books to fruition.

Mary Calmes and Damon Suede, your friendship and counsel has been a lifeline, and this book wouldn’t be what it is without you. I truly don’t know where I’d be without you both, and I’m so grateful. Kimberly Kinkaid, mad love for the eleventh-hour helicopter reading! Amy Lane: “douchefucker.” Erica Goode: big vat of coffee = <3.

Thank you to Chad Byers and Patrick McKinley Johns for lending me your patience and expertise. Also, of course, for your military service. Knowing you both is such an honor. :)

Writing can be solitary, and I’m grateful beyond measure to the community of authors near and far I’ve been blessed to meet who have offered help, advice, and support. I hope I’ve been able to do the same in return.

A bazillion squishy hugs to the readers, reviewers, and bloggers who continue to be so supportive. Extra-special thanks to Viviana Izzo and “The Staab Mob” for all the awesomeness! Thank you to Sharon Stogner and Jillian Stein for going the extra mile (and the martinis).

To my friends and family, the wonderful folks who care for my kids, and
most
of
all
to
my
Tom
, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love, support, and patience. I couldn’t do it without you.

Elisabeth Staab still lives with her nose in a book and at least one foot in an imaginary world. She digs cats, coffee, sexy stories, and friendly things that go bump in the night. Find out more at
ElisabethStaab.com
.