Dark Debt by Chloe Neill Read Free Book Online Page B

bedtime snacks, every night.” I smiled at them. “That’s a key for me.”
    “I know Chuck would appreciate it, given the circumstances,” Catcher said. “And we actually would be closer to his office.”
    “That istrue,” Mallory said. “But—well, the other vampires may not like it.”
    “I am their Master,” Ethan said simply. “Not the other way around. But I think you don’t give them enough credit. You’ve helped this House considerably.” He smiled. “And they’re vampires. By their nature, they believe in second chances. For what it’s worth, I’d consider it a personal favor.”
    He looked at me, and I suddenlyunderstood. Ethan wasn’t afraid Balthasar would attack the House . . . but that Balthasar would attack me, and Ethan wouldn’t be able to get to me quickly enough.
    Ethan held up his hands. “This is a big request, and it’s completely up to you, and I understand if you’d like some time to think about it. And, of course, we’d prepare appropriate remuneration for your services.” He smiled at Mallory.“Perhaps a donation to Sorcerers Without Borders?”
    SWOB was a group Mallory had created to help fledglingsorcerers navigate their new magicks. It was a mission close to her heart, since she’d come out of the magical gate swinging some very bad mojo.
    Mallory and Catcher looked at each other. She shrugged, and he nodded. “Fine by us,” he said. “I could stand to be pampered at Hotel Cadogana bit. Assuming Merit’s right about the bedtime snack basket.”
    “If she’s ever right about anything, it’s food.”
    I gave him the arm punch that he deserved.
    Ethan must have made his request psychically. Barely three seconds later, Helen, the House’s den mother, appeared in the doorway in her typical ensemble—a tidy tweed skirt and jacket in her usual pale pink, her short bob of silverhair styled with Photoshop-worthy perfection. (It had only gotten more perfect since Ethan’s transition to the AAM, as Helen was now his official social secretary.)
    “Sire?” she crisply said.
    “Prepare the guest suite, if you would. Mallory and Catcher will be staying with us for a few days.”
    Helen kept her gaze on Ethan, but she pressed her lips together in obvious disagreement withhis choice. “They will.”
    “They will,” Ethan said, in a tone that clarified the issue wasn’t up for debate. Realizing that, she nodded, moved into the hallway again to make preparations.
    “I don’t want to cause trouble,” Mallory said.
    “Actually, I don’t mind causing it,” Catcher said. “Vampires have caused plenty of their own. What are the chances of getting an off-street parking space?”
    Ethan just looked at him. Off-street parking in Chicago was a very serious matter. “That would require some maneuvering.”
    They looked at each other in heavy silence.
    “How much?” Catcher asked.
    Ethan smiled slyly. “A ward on the House to keep Balthasar out, constructed and managed by you.”
    “You’re a sneaky bastard, Sullivan,” Catcher said, and nodded.
    Not a bad deal for goodparking.
    *   *   *
    While Helen prepared their rooms and Luc prepared their security access, Mallory and Catcher returned to their Wicker Park town house to grab clothing and essentials for Vampire Sleepover Camp. They’d return after the sun was up, but the human guards at the gate could get them inside. They’d set the wards, and we’d all enjoy a good night’s sleep.
    Vampires were unconsciousduring the daylight; theoretically, Balthasar would be, too. But he was conniving, and I wouldn’t put a daylight attack past him. Catcher and Mallory being here—setting a ward, and being able to emerge in daylight if the need arose—made me feel a lot better.
    I was often relieved at the end of a night to return to our apartments on the third floor, the Master’s suite that Ethan and I shared.But nights like this made the respite even more important. We could be ourselves, for