Page 29 of Abiding Blood

“I knew you’d come,” he said, his voice tight with excitement. I couldn’t see his face, but I could tell my friend was as thrilled to be together as I was. “Anna had her doubts, but I knew you’d show up. I’m so glad to see you.”

Nathaniel stood and pulled me to my feet. Taking my bag, he led me toward the massive hotel that had become a vampire sanctuary.

The resort had one main building, which, with its covered windows, appeared to be where most of the vampires were lodged. Several outbuildings filled the rest of the small clearing perched on the side of the mountain. The smaller buildings were nothing special, but the lodge looked as if it were growing right from the side of the rugged mountain. It was beautiful, and the warmth and companionship it promised made it all the more inviting.

We went up the front steps and into the lobby. The interior featured a large stone fireplace, plenty of unfinished wood, high ceilings, and chandeliers crafted from antlers. While it wasn’t to my taste, it felt so nice to be back in civilization that I hardly cared. Several vampires sat in the spacious lounge beside a grand staircase. I didn’t recognize any of them, but I nodded politely as I passed.

“Anna and Jonathan will be happy to see you,” Nathaniel said as I followed him up the stairs.

I had doubts about Anna, but I did look forward to seeing Jonathan again.

“And I have to introduce you to Rich. I’ve told him all about you, of course,” Nathaniel finished.

“Of course,” I said, unable to hide the fatigue in my voice.

Nathaniel must have noticed, because he stopped and turned to me. “Oh, I’m sorry. You must be exhausted. Let me show you to your room. You can take a hot bath, and I’ll find you something to eat.”

“As you can see, I didn’t bring a blood source,” I said. “I would appreciate it if a member of our staff could make a donation. In a glass, if you don’t mind.”

Nathaniel’s eyebrows rose, but he nodded. “Of course. Don’t worry about it. We have plenty to go around.”

His words were pleasant enough, but something about Nathaniel’s tone was off. I couldn’t identify what it was, and I was too tired in that moment to care.

“Thank you,” I said.

Before I could think further about it, Jonathan appeared at the top of the staircase, his trademark smile in place.

“Hello, Vincent. You decided to join us after all?” he said.

I climbed the last few steps, embraced the man, and returned his smile with enthusiasm. “I’m glad to see you. It feels great to be back among friends.” I clapped him on the back and glanced up at the movement over Jonathan’s shoulder.

Anna stood a short distance down the hall. She smiled, like the others, but her gaze held something hard. “I’m honestly surprised you came. This doesn’t seem like your kind of place, Vincent,” she said, her voice matching her cold stare.

“It’s the place where my friends are. Where else would I go?” I asked, lacing my words with as much sweetness as I could manage.

Anna’s smile widened. She stepped forward, pushing Jonathan aside. She tilted her head and drew her sculpted brows together. “Of course. I’m sure you’ll be very happy here,” she said, mimicking my insincere tone.

Nathaniel stepped between us and shot Anna a dark look. “That’s enough for tonight. Vincent is tired and would probably like to bathe before bed,” he said.

Anna stepped back and nodded to her mate, but she kept the plastic smile on her face. “Sleep well,” she said, turning to leave the three of us alone on the landing.

“Sorry about that,” Nathaniel said. “She’s⁠—”

“Don’t worry about it, my friend. I’m not concerned about Anna. She and I have always rubbed each other the wrong way.”

Nathaniel nodded and gave me a worn smile.

With the reunions over, Nathaniel guided me to a door halfway down the hall. He unlocked it with a key, handed it to me, and then he and Jonathan departed, leaving me alone.

The room was a large hotel suite with a queen-sized bed and a spacious bathroom. I chose a shower over a bath. The hot water was bliss. Just because I wasn’t bothered by the cold didn’t mean the hot water didn’t feel just as good to me as it did to a human. I was sad to turn off the water so soon, but time was short. I was toweling off when someone knocked at the door. I loathed putting my travel clothes back on, so I fished my red silk robe out of my pack before answering.

Nathaniel stood on the other side of the door, holding a large wine glass of ruby-red liquid that smelled nothing like wine and made my mouth water. He stepped inside and grinned at my attire.

“You’re going to fit in well here,” he said. “I brought you a pre-bedtime snack.” He handed over the glass. It was still warm.

“Thank you,” I said, accepting the glass. “And please thank your employee for me.”

“I will. We all share here. It’s nothing,” Nathaniel replied. The strange tone was back. I would need to ask him about it later, but for now I was hungry from my efforts, and it had been far too long since I’d had fresh blood.