Page 78 of Twice Bitten

I needed to check on Edmund before anything else.

Alric’s jaw tightened. “Alex, my sense of smell is superior to yours. Beckett has been everywhere in this house. I ask that you do not enter your bedroom before I can have someone in to assist with the cleanup.”

I closed my eyes and let out a slow breath. “This is not your mess to clean up.”

When I opened my eyes, Alric’s gaze had taken on a jade glow. “Beckett is a vampire. He falls under my authority. Please, Alex. Stay out of the bedroom. Someone should be here within twenty minutes. He will not touch anything other than what has been…defiled.”

My lower lip quivered. I nodded and dropped my head so Alric wouldn’t see my tears fall. He gently squeezed my shoulder. “Your internet line was cut. Technicians are already outside to restore service.”

“Why are you helping me?”

Alric exhaled wearily, the sound surprising for such an ancient being. There was no telling how old he actually was, and he wasn’t forthcoming about his age, but at this moment he appeared surprisingly human for a Prime. “Entering someone’s home for the purpose of simple destruction for one’s own sick pleasure is an egregious violation of our code. We are not monsters, Alex. Though we got off on the wrong foot, I hope you know this is not something I would ever stand for. My personal appraiser is on her way over. She will take an accounting of your belongings and ensure you are compensated accordingly.”

“I have insurance.”

“I’m sure you do. I have connections far superior than anyinsurance company, and I will ensure your belongings are valued appropriately. Allow me to assist in this matter. No strings attached.”

“You were such an asshole the first time we met.” I paused. “The second time too.”

To my surprise, Alric burst out laughing, the sound bright and cheerful. A reluctant smile tugged at my lips.

“Yes,” he responded. “I have to keep you on your toes. Who knows how the fourth time will go?”

“Let’s just hope we’re not meeting like this again,” I murmured.

“I hope not,” Alric said.

Leo came up and muttered something in the Prime’s ear. “Excuse me,” Alric said. “I’ll be just outside if you need something.”

I nodded and wandered toward the back of the house. Beckett should not have been able to enter the basement, but I headed to check anyway. If he had, I might as well burn down my house and start over.

To my great relief, the spell over the door held fast, though the wood had been heavily scarred by what looked like claws. The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I leaned closer to inspect the damage. My fingertips ran over the disfigurement, the heavy oak scored in multiple places, but the comforting beat of the spell protecting the door pulsed against my hand.

I leaned on the door and let out a long breath. Many things in this house were important to me, but my life and heritage lay behind the damaged door. If Beckett had gotten to that, I’m not sure I would have recovered. Treasured books my mother had given me lay carefully stacked on the shelves. Her spell bowl and treasured athame sat on the altar. An old blanket she told me my grandmother wove years ago lay haphazardly thrown over the back of the leather recliner, also given to me by my mother.

A change in the air made me straighten.

“Alex?” Edmund’s voice was a whisper. “There are several people in the house.”

I slumped with relief. “Thank the gods. Are you alright?”

Regret made his voice quiver. “I’m so sorry. He cut off the Wi-Fi before he came inside, and once he was in, I couldn’t muster the power to toss him out.”

“This isn’t your fault. Thank you for trying to get a hold of me.”

“It’s bad,” Edmund said quietly.

“I know.”

We fell silent for a moment. “No one else can hear you?”

“No. All the vampires are in the front. I’ll need to keep my voice low, though.”

My shoulders slumped in relief. Silas knew, but I don’t think he spoke to Alric much outside of alley fights. If I needed to toss the Prime out on his ass, I’d still have the element of surprise. “The spell to the basement held.”

“Not without him doing his best to break it,” he muttered. “There’s something wrong with him. More than the whole ‘undead bloodsucker’ kind of wrong.”

“I’m going to kill him for this,” I promised.