The Vampire’s Fake Fiancée

Finally, they regrouped at Sebastian’s grandmother’s house for a family meeting.

Tessa had never seen a house like Elenora’s before. Well, sure, maybe on Downton Abbey, which gave her an instant love for the place, but in real life? Never. It was the sort of house that conjured up images of grand balls and hunting parties and life in the English countryside, which she imagined was what Elenora had been trying to re-create.

A bit of the past she still longed for, perhaps. It made Tessa sympathetic toward the woman, even if she was a bit bossy.

Despite it being the end of January, displays of fresh flowers were abundant inside, making the house smell like spring. It was a luxury Tessa had never experienced before, but she could see how easy it would be to get used to.

They were all gathered in a small sitting room—not so small it couldn’t contain a baby grand piano—that was so pristine Tessa felt like it should have been roped off. The velvet chairs showed minimal signs of use, but then maybe this was a room reserved for family only. The way the old manor houses in England that allowed visitors kept wings of the house off limits. If there were grand balls thrown in this mansion, the guests of those events certainly didn’t get to use this space.

The witch named Alice Bishop sat in a far corner doing needlepoint. The rest of them, Tessa and Sebastian, Hugh and Delaney, Julian and Elenora, were all seated in the center of the space in a grouping of sofas and chairs.

Elenora had everyone’s attention. “There’s only one reasonable thing to do with Evangeline. We must turn her over to the council.”

“I don’t disagree,” Sebastian said. “But she will bring charges against me. It’s the only thing she has to counterbalance what she’s done.”

Elenora nodded. “I understand, but I doubt anything she has to say will carry much weight against what she did to you. You never raised a hand to her or threatened her in any way during the course of your marriage, did you?”

Indignation darkened Sebastian’s eyes. “I know you’re asking because you have to, but you must know I would never do such a thing.”

“Of course I know that. I just needed to hear you say it.” Elenora looked at Tessa. The woman radiated good intentions and gratitude, but that didn’t settle Tessa’s nerves. “Our dear, sweet Tessa. I hesitate to ask any more of you, but turning Evangeline over to the council means we’ll all be required to give statements of the events that transpired. That will include you. Are you comfortable with that?”

“I am.”

“So you’re willing to participate, whatever it means?”

Tessa glanced at Sebastian before answering. “What could it mean beyond telling the truth?”

Elenora straightened and seemed to gather her thoughts before answering. “It will very likely mean a trial. That will require you to travel, possibly to Amsterdam or Madrid, and once there, you will have to testify in front of the council.”

It was a daunting thought, baring her soul before an audience of ancient and judgmental vampires. But she would do whatever was necessary.

Sebastian took her hand. “You won’t be alone. I’ll be with you. Even at the trial.”

“That would help immensely.” She smiled at him and answered Elenora. “I will absolutely do it. In for a penny, in for a pound and all that.”

Elenora put her hand to her chest and gave Tessa a short bow from her seat. “Thank you. I understand that this will not be easy, but as a family, we will be there to support you.”

Delaney leaned forward. “You’re so brave.”

“Agreed,” Julian added. “Who knew Sebastian was capable of finding such a remarkable woman? Now let’s see if he can keep you.”

Tessa lifted her chin. “Your brother is an equally remarkable man.”

Then Sebastian spoke up. “What would you know about keeping a woman, Julian? For more than twenty-four hours, that is.”

“Touché,” Hugh said. “Until you can manage a lasting relationship, Julian, your opinion on Sebastian’s love life carries very little weight.”

Elenora cleared her throat. “That’s enough, boys. Let’s focus on the task at hand, shall we? As I’m the most senior vampire here, I will contact the council about our issue. I don’t know if they’ll send someone for Evangeline or require us to transport her but either way we have work ahead of us.”

Alice’s small voice spoke from the back of the room. “Are you sure she was only after the secret for herself?”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Alice is right. Evangeline could have been working with someone,” Sebastian said.

They all turned to look at him.

He held out a hand. “She was going to great lengths to find out what enabled me to daywalk. I know Evangeline better than any of you and for her to put that much effort into something, her motivation could have come from something more than her own desire to see the sun rise again. Losing that ability wasn’t something she ever seemed to regret.”

The thought cast a visual pall over the people in the room. Both Hugh and Julian muttered curses.

Tessa straightened, knowing immediately how to fix the problem. “Let me talk to her. I’ll know whether she’s lying or telling the truth, either way. So no matter what she says, we’ll know if there’s someone else involved.” She glanced at the others in the room and answered the unspoken question. “Valkyries can read a person’s intent. It’s our gift.”