Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine Read Free Book Online

upholstery.
    Michael parked and turned off the car. As Eve reached for her door handle, he said, ‘‘Guys.’’ She waited. They all waited. ‘‘I didn’t exactly get any instant upgrade on knowledge when I—when I changed, but I’m damn sure of one thing. This Bishop, he’s real trouble. Trouble like maybe we’ve never seen before. And I’m worried. So watch each other’s backs. I’ll try—’’
    He didn’t seem to know how to finish that. Eve reached out to touch his face, and he turned toward her, lips parted. The look that went between them was so naked it felt wrong to see it. Shane cleared his throat.
    â€˜â€˜We’re all on it, man,’’ he said. ‘‘We’ll be okay.’’
    Michael didn’t answer, but then, Claire figured maybe there wasn’t much to say. He got out of the car, and the others followed. The evening was getting cold, and the wind fluttered around Claire’s hair and clothes, looking for skin to chill. Finding it, too. She wrapped her jacket closer and hurried after Michael toward the back door.
    Inside, the kitchen was exactly as they’d left it— messy. Pots and pans still on the stove, though thankfully they’d remembered to turn off the burners before they’d left. The smell of stale bacon grease and rubbery gravy hung heavy in the air, barely cut by the aroma of old, overcooked coffee.
    They didn’t stop. Michael led them straight through the kitchen door, into the living room.
    Bishop was gone. So were his two pretty hangers-on. It was just Amelie and Oliver, sitting alone at the large wooden table. They’d carelessly shoved aside plates and cups and glasses into a tottering pile, and between them was a chessboard. Nothing Claire recognized that belonged in the house; it looked old, and well used. Beautiful, too.
    Amelie was playing white. She ignored their entry as she contemplated the chessboard. Across from her, Oliver leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and sent the four of them an unreadable look. He seemed right at home, which made Claire fume, and she could only imagine how Michael felt about it. Oliver had killed Michael—ripped away his human existence and trapped him in a twilight state between human and vampire— right here in this house. In fact, almost on this very spot. It had been brutal, and murderous, and Michael had never for a second forgotten who and what Oliver was, however he appeared.
    Amelie had offered Michael the chance to escape from that trap, and he’d taken it even at the cost of becoming a true vampire. So far, he didn’t seem to regret it. Much.
    â€˜â€˜You’re not welcome here,’’ Michael said to Oliver, who raised his eyebrows and smiled.
    â€˜â€˜Waiting for the house to evict me? Keep waiting,’’ he said. ‘‘Amelie, you really should teach your pets manners. Next thing you know, they’ll be clawing the carpet and spraying the drapes.’’
    She didn’t look up. ‘‘Do try to be civil,’’ she replied. ‘‘You’re a guest in their house. My house.’’ She moved a piece on the chessboard. ‘‘Be seated, all of you. I dislike having people stand.’’
    It had the force of royal command, and before she could think about it, Claire was sliding into one of the dining-table chairs, and Shane was settling in next to her. Eve hesitated, then took a chair as far away from Oliver as possible.
    That left one empty chair, and it was next to Oliver. Michael shook his head, crossed his arms over his chest, and leaned against the wall.
    Amelie gave him a glance, but didn’t force the issue. ‘‘So you have met Mr. Bishop,’’ she said. ‘‘And he has most assuredly met you. I wish this had not happened, but since it has, we must find ways to guard you against him and his associates.’’