Vail merely nodded when Victoria thanked him for opening up. He didn’t like dwelling on what the Wynters had done to his family in the past, but there was no reason to keep her in the dark. Especially now that the rival clan was tearing her family apart just like they had done to his over a century ago. She deserved to know just how brutal the Wynters could be and what lengths they were willing to go to in order to get what they wanted. Perhaps she might even think of a way to spare the Crests the grief that had befallen the Hygraces. Humans were clever that way. He wouldn’t put it past her to think of a solution his kind had overlooked.

As she went on about her blood being used as the vampires’ weapon, he got up from his seat and ambled over to the chaise lounge to rest more comfortably. It was the closest he could get to sprawling on a bed, since he could at least lay down and put his feet up. As powerful as his kind was, they still needed to sleep just like any other living creature. He could tell he was starting to push his limits after staying awake into the early morning. It wouldn’t be much longer before he succumbed to his exhaustion.

“I don’t think physical strength is the answer,” he mused with a frown, tilting his head slightly as he thought about the dilemma. If they had only been up against Lord Spencer, getting stronger might have helped her, but she was facing the entire Wynter clan and the Order. What she needed was her wit. If she could think of a way to outfox them or even stay a step ahead, her family would have a fighting chance. The only problem was the timing of it all. If the other vampires really were coming to London in a month, she didn’t have long to prepare. He was unsure how much help he could offer too. Now that his father knew about the true nature of their relationship, he would never give his approval nor let him continue to involve himself in the other families’ affairs. His assistance might have been coming to an end whether he liked it or not.

“As long as you don’t make it ‘worth his while’ with your blood,” Vail objected when the Crest heiress spoke of his father. He didn’t know if Peter was interested in feeding on her, but tasting her blood had been the start of everything that had happened between them. It was what had coaxed him to return to her side until he had realized he was fond of more than just the sustenance she offered. Victoria was an alluring woman. He shuddered at the thought of his father discovering how special she was and deciding to claim her for himself.

“You said you would only be mine, and I’m still holding you to that,” he reminded her with another yawn, settling down on his side with his head propped on a decorative pillow. Being tall, his body was a bit too long to stretch out on the piece of furniture, and he had to tuck in his knees to fit. However, he was too tired to care about the inconvenience. With his back to the steadily brightening window, he wasn’t disturbed by the light either. He slipped one arm underneath the pillow and closed his eyes, starting to give in to the impulse to let go of consciousness.

“You should be safe enough here to rest,” Vail assured Victoria in a lowered voice. Even though his cousins had gone berserk at the first scent of her blood, his father had forbidden them from touching her. If any of them tried to disregard the order, he was a light enough sleeper that he would wake up and intervene on her behalf. “Sleep well, My Lady,” he murmured, fading as slumber claimed him. “Wake me if you need anything.”