Page 175 of Vampire's Choice

When Kane’s agonized look met hers, Ruth nodded. “Later’s…better. It’s okay.”

It’s not okay, her heart screamed. Merc’s grip around her tightened.

Mason shifted into Kane’s view, his fingers brushing his daughter’s neck. “It will be addressed, Kane. I promise. Trust me.”

When Mason looked Ruth’s way, the sharpness in his eyes, charged with a grim intent, made Ruth suddenly need Merc’s steadying hands on her all the more.

Either from the magic reaching its expiration point, or the breaking of their enemies, Mason had recalled all he’d seen at the sanctuary.

As the teenagers were shepherded away by Brian and Debra, the concerned parents watched them go. Jessica stood between Mason and Jacob now, and Jacob touched Jessica’s shoulder as Mason held her waist. She gripped both of their hands, but when her gaze met Jacob’s, Ruth saw an expression she knew well. The two of them were ready to serve their Master and Mistress, whatever was required.

Whatever reason Lyssa had for doing this now was apparently pretty damn important.

“Good timing,” Jacob murmured, drawing Ruth’s attention to another SUV pulling up the drive. When it parked, the one absent member of Council emerged.

Lady Danny.

The female vampire was teased by her peers about looking like a 1950s Disney princess, with her blue eyes, blond hair and slim bearing, but those who assumed she’d won a Council position from her friendship with Lady Lyssa didn’t pay attention to her history. Like Kaela, she’d fought her way to a Region Master position in Australia, capably managing a diverse and volatile vampire population in her territory until her promotion to Council.

Dev, her servant, was a World War II veteran and had been an itinerant bushman before he’d found his home with her. Like Jacob and most servants who served higher ranking vampires, he was no one to underestimate, either in wits or fighting skills. He shook Jacob’s hand as he emerged from the car and held the door for his lady.

Lady Danny offered Lyssa and the other Council members a respectful nod, but the person she went to was Ruth. She took in Ruth’s state at a glance. “Your mother told me she thought you had found a worthy male,” she said unexpectedly, a tight smile crossing her lips as she glanced at Merc. “Though her father was less willing to admit it, you made a good impression.”

Merc’s dark gaze flickered. “I’m honored to hear it.”

Ruth swallowed. “When did she…”

“She always called me when anything important happened with you or Adan. So a few hours…before.”

When Elisa had come to the island in the 1950s, bringing six forcibly turned vampire children to Mal for help, she’d been Danny’s second mark on her sheep station in Australia. Which meant Danny might have felt her death as soon as the Fae’s magical field was lifted, even before she learned the details from whoever called to give them to her.

Danny put her arms around Ruth and spoke against her ear. “None of us can break right now, and I’m risking it by saying this, but Mal will never let her be anywhere he’s not. They’re together, Ruth. Always.”

“I want Adan here.” Ruth spoke against Danny’s curtain of blond hair. Dev’s strong hand was rubbing her back, offering the same comfort his Mistress was. “But I also don’t want him to know yet. I don’t ever want him to know, so he doesn’t have to hurt like this.”

“I know. We’ll get through it.”

The Council had moved away, heading toward chambers. While it gave them privacy, it was more than that. Business was waiting. Kaela and Garron’s fate hung in the balance. Ruth drew back. “I know you have to go. Dev, too. Lyssa wants Council servants there.”

“She let me know.” Whatever was afoot, there was knowledge of it in Danny’s gaze, and in the tense look she and Dev exchanged. The outcome of whatever was planned wasn’t certain. Or maybe it was.

Belizar had said as much. The law was the law. The only latitude Ruth could see the Council head having was to put the force of her will behind Kaela’s right to take her life with dignity, and leave this life with her servant.

“Ruth?”

Lyssa had paused at the door.

“Yes, my lady?”

“Follow us to chambers. You and Merc.”

Her heart quaked at the prospect of seeing the nightmare with Kaela and Garron start all over again. But if Ruth had another chance to speak on Kaela and Garron’s behalf, to contribute to them having that one choice, to die together, she wouldn’t shirk from it. Even as everything within her wanted to be elsewhere.

I can’t watch them die. I can’t.

As Danny and Dev headed toward the door, Merc turned Ruth toward him. I’ll spirit them away before they carry out the sentence. They’ll never find them.

The resoluteness in his harsh features told her he would do it. It gave her a whole new flood of feelings to manage, far more welcome. I thought angels weren’t supposed to interfere.