Peter pretended not to hear Victoria’s sad murmur. He knew precious little about what the Wynters were doing with her family, but he did know the other clan well enough to expect that they wouldn’t be pleased with their food source’s absence. However, he couldn’t allow himself to sympathize with the girl. It wasn’t his business if the other vampires chose to devour Alexander’s widow in her absence. Until they started showing signs of hostility to the Hygraces, which he was already certain they would, he refused to get any more involved with the monsters who were responsible for his brother’s death.

Gathering the leftover bandages and the bowl that had contained the ice—it was full of melted water now—he considered returning both to their separate, rightful places and then glanced at Vail. Leaving the room meant he would be leaving his son alone with the wench in his bed again. He studied the younger Hygrace with a frown. As determined as Vail was to guard Victoria like a dog, he could tell the heir’s stamina was wearing down with the rise of the sun. His head lolled against the back of the chair, and he didn’t even make an effort to sit up straight. Peter couldn’t send him to put the supplies away for him in this state or his frenzied cousins would tear him apart. After all, it had been difficult enough for him to keep their relatives out, and he was the revered leader of the clan. His son, who didn’t have the same fear or respect from them, had no chance at getting past the bedroom door.

Victoria’s voice jarred him from his musings, and the Hygrace head turned back to her with an unamused expression. For a human who had narrowly escaped the jaws of death, she was certainly quick to test the patience of a [i]demon[/i] who could end her life with just one bite. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he observed her. She seemed determined to convince him that she was worth keeping around, and he was sure there were benefits to striking a deal with her as he once had with her father, but it was impossible to overlook the effect she was having on his son. On every account, this woman had changed the cautious, intelligent, self-controlled heir to the estate into a lovesick fool. That wasn’t something he could simply brush aside. If her presence put Vail’s life at risk, he wouldn’t tolerate it.

He parted his lips to repeat that she would be going home regardless of what the Wynters were doing, but another voice spoke up faster.

“I wasn’t lying when I said she was useful to our family, father,” Vail sat up in his chair, already predicting the negative answer Peter was going to give. He knew the paranoid vampire would only focus on the downsides of working with Lady Crest rather than consider the good things she had to offer. It was just the way he was. “I know you’re upset with us but just think about it. Are you really going to send her back to the Wynters, who want to have her blood weaponized when they attack [i]our[/i] family? There’s no telling how long they’ve been scheming against us. We need to start poking holes in their plan, or they may very well run us into the ground this time.”

Peter pursed his lips, thinking it over. For all his faults, of which there seemed to be increasingly many, Vail was good at making him second guess his decisions. “I’ll think about it,” he conceded after a pause. It wasn’t a prelude to a yes or a no. There were too many factors to take into account before he would make up his mind, so for now, he wouldn’t give them an answer either way. “Get some rest, My Lady,” he said to Victoria. “Whatever happens, I still want you ready to leave as soon as you’re physically able.” Turning next to his son, he scowled warningly. “I have other matters to tend to right now, but I will be back later. You would do well to keep your distance from her while I’m gone.”

The Hygrace heir shifted his weight.

“Vail,” Peter prompted.

“Yes, father,” he submitted reluctantly.

“Good,” the clan leader nodded. Satisfied that there would be nothing for him to worry about while he cleaned up the mess his son had made, he exited the room, leaving the couple alone once again.