Over the course of the next three days, Vail stayed predominantly locked up in his room, alternating between practicing his individual hobbies and pondering over what to do about Lord Spencer. Knowing that he was plotting the murder of one of his own kind was still unsettling to him, but there was no way out of it now. He was too addicted to Lady Victoria’s blood to even think of breaking their pact. Thoughts of their encounter in her family’s summer house often passed through his head like a daydream, and his excitement about feeding on her again was always simmering just beneath the surface. He was captivated by her like a snake to a charmer, willing to do whatever she wanted if it meant wetting his tongue with her enticing blood once again.

So, when the night finally came for him to meet up with her again, he wasted no time in getting ready. It was almost midnight; she would be expecting him soon. Eager to get out of the manor, he put on a coat and boots and was just about to head for the door when a sudden knock stopped him in his tracks. He cursed under his breath as Lord Peter stepped in.

His father looked over his attire for a moment, and Vail shifted his weight. He’d been planning to leave the mansion without letting anyone know. Apparently that had been much to expect. However, instead of interrogating him, Peter surprised him by breaking out in a knowing smile.

“Ah, I had a feeling you’d be hunting again soon,” his father said. “It looks like I caught you just in time.”

Vail blinked. In truth, he’d been [i]hunting[/i] so often recently that he’d forgotten his family thought he hadn’t fed in over a week. His departure now would have looked normal. He relaxed. “Did you need something from me?” he queried, secretly hoping Peter wouldn’t ask him to run any errands in the city when he was really on his way to the Crest estate.

“No,” Peter shook his head. “I just thought I’d warn you.” His expression turned serious. “When I went out four days ago, there were more Saints about than usual. Practically every street and tavern reeked of silver. I’m not sure if they were just hunting that particular night, but given how many attacks have been happening lately, I would be cautious.”

[i]It’s a good thing I won’t be going anywhere near them,[/i] Vail thought with some pleasure. “Thanks for the advice,” he expressed with a grateful nod. “I’ll keep an eye out for them.”

“Of course,” his father stepped back over to the door. “Good luck, Vail.”

Once he was alone again, the younger Hygrace let out his breath in relief. It was a good thing Peter didn’t know he’d gone out just three days prior or he might have tried to stop him from leaving now. He just hoped his father wouldn’t make his occasional stops any more frequent than they already were. There wasn’t much he could do to hide his disappearances if Peter started checking his room at night, and the last thing he wanted was to have to explain that he’d agreed to murder a Wynter in exchange for a taste of Victoria’s blood twice a week. His father would probably think he’d gone mad.

Fortunate this time, Vail headed out of the manor to meet with the Crest heiress, keeping a lookout for any members of the Order on his way to her family’s estate. There was no time for him to concern himself with Peter when she was expecting him soon. Instead, his thoughts turned to what was to come as he grew more eager to prey upon her again, and he hastened his pace.