Hear Me When the Sun Goes Down by Lisa Olsen Read Free Book Online Page B

boy.” 
    Bishop felt the weight of Jakob’s stare like a physical thing, but when the Ellri turned back to Rob, he’d let go of his anger toward the bodyguard. 
    “You’ll need to make arrangements for additional security for Anja.  Especially after we return to the West.”
    Rob’s eyes lost the thousand yard stare as he finally looked at Jakob.  “Yes, sir, I know my job.  She’ll be properly guarded.” 
    “She’s more than a job to me,” Jakob insisted.  “She’s more precious to me than anything in this miserable world.”
    “I understand, sir.  I’d sooner die than see her harmed.”  There was no doubt in either of the men’s minds at the look in Rob’s eyes. 
    “Good.”  Jakob found his smile again, clapping Rob on the shoulder.  “Your loyalty will be rewarded as usual.  Keep her safe for me, Rob.  I will not tolerate failure a second time.”
    “As you wish.”  With that, Rob slipped out, and before Bishop could draw in a breath Jakob turned his attention to him.
    “Have you seen to the Order’s banishment from Vetis?”
    “Yes, the last will be gone within the hour.”  So far, so good.  He hadn’t said anything about Bishop getting out too.  “I still think you’re making a mistake in doing this.”
    “It matters little to me what you think , Ulrik.”  Jakob waved him away, but Bishop couldn’t let it go.  It was rare to get a moment alone with a powerful Ellri , and this might be the only chance to openly speak his piece.   
    “Jakob, you know there will be ramifications around the world for your dismantling the Order here in Vetis.”
    “I’m starting to think the Order’s outlived its usefulness,” Jakob admitted, settling heavily into a chair.
    “Look, I know you and I have had our disagreements over the years, but I’ve worked with the Order for a long time.  All I’m saying is, think long and hard before you do anything permanent.  Think about the scope of your decisions.  I’m not challenging your right to make them, but consider what it’ll do to leave vampires completely unchecked.  There’s a reason you created the Order in the first place, and that reason still holds true.  Listen to Anja .  Change the laws if you think it needs doing, but don’t cut us off completely.” 
    In the end Jakob would make his own decision, he always did.  “Be gone before I decide to banish you too,” he grumbled irritably, and Bishop had his answer. 
    For the moment he would be allowed to stay, and that was good enough for now.  Knowing Jakob’s moods lent him the wisdom to withdraw without saying anything else.  Something was eating at the Ellri , and he only hoped it had more to do with Jakob’s sudden re-emergence into society and not with a certain blond vampire.   
    Speaking of which, he spotted Rob up ahead and jogged up to catch him before he got to the staircase.  “Hey, you got a minute?”
    Rob glanced at the stairs, almost as if gauging whether or not he could make a break for it before he turned to face Bishop.  “Sure, what’s up?”
    “I wanted to talk to you for a sec.”  Bishop tried a familiar door, his head jerking inside when he found the parlor empty.  “Let’s go in here.”
    “What’s this about?” Rob asked warily, automatically searching the room to make certain they were completely alone. 
    “Look, I’m sorry Jakob was ragging on you before about Anja.  I wanted to thank you for coming back for us.  I’m sorry I slowed us down.  I feel like I’m responsible for what happened to you.”
    “You are,” Rob said without a trace of emotion.  “Then again, so am I.  I should never have allowed her to be taken in the first place.  I underestimated that brother of yours.  Won’t happen again.”
    “Right,” Bishop replied uneasily, not sure if he was forgiven or not.  “I also wanted to say that even though Jakob’s here and Anja’s under his protection , that isn’t a reason to let your