"Lissa Beth, does this mean what I think it means?" Flavio was wide-awake now, I noticed.
"I guess. I didn't know it was going to happen—honest."
"Honored One, why are you awake long past sunrise?" Gavin asked, folding his arms over his chest.
"The same reason you're awake," Flavio snapped. "And if you want further proof, go see Charles, Rhett and Dalroy right now. All will be awake or able to rise for exactly the same reasons."
"Your blood did this?" Gavin stared at me.
"Those guys bit somebody else with the talent, not me," I said, smacking him lightly on the arm. "But on the brighter side, you can have pancakes for breakfast with me."
"Pancakes?" Flavio was interested, I could tell.
"Come on," I folded both of them to the villa. Mike was fine with me fixing pancakes for breakfast and Radomir wandered in while I was mixing batter and broiling bacon. He got breakfast, too.
"Want to try coffee?" I asked Gavin, who frowned at me—he was very much into his syrup-covered pancakes, thank you. The bacon disappeared, too, I noticed. I had my short stack and slice of bacon with coffee while I listened to Gavin, Flavio and Radomir discussing current vampire politics and events. They were having a great time, just having breakfast together.
"See, I told you the Honored One wouldn't be upset," I made a face at Gavin.
"You are so beautiful, cara," Gavin mumbled, kissing my hand.
"My nieces are more beautiful," I said.
"You have nieces?" Gavin stared at me.
"I didn't know either," I said. "But they're twins. Kyler and Cleo."
"I have seen Kyler," Gavin nodded. "With the Honored One, here. She is quite beautiful, but to me, you are lovelier. Will you spend the day with me, cara mia?"
"I have some work to do, or I would," I replied. "I'll get you and Flavio home, first."
"I'll take them home," Radomir offered.
"Thanks," I told him, gave Gavin a quick kiss and took off. Gavin had changed—I could see it from a mile away. The edge had been removed from his temper, from the moment I'd offered him blood. Who knew? Now, I had four more gates to get and I wasn't dressed to go after Flakkar. I went to my bedroom first, dressed quickly in jeans and a pullover then went after ugly, smelly things. I got all four remaining gates before coming back. I didn't expect to find Gavin asleep in my bed, though. I didn't bother him, just changed into my swimsuit and went to get in the hot tub.
"Now, see, you didn't tell us again," Drake and Drew were there—naked, of course—and sitting right beside me in a blink.
"I have been waiting for you as well," Connegar appeared, undressed with a thought and climbed into the water. He had to make himself smaller so the water wouldn't come to his waist.
"Hey, thanks for calling me," Shadow slapped Drake on the back and climbed in too. All of them were naked—had they no shame?
"Uh, Gavin's asleep in my bed," I muttered, sinking into the hot water.
"All right," the twins gave each other a high five.
"What was that about?" I asked.
"We had a bet going with Dad and Uncle Crane on how long it would take him to come to his senses," Drake laughed. "We just won."
"I'm gonna pull both your braids," I grumped.
"Sounds good," Drake said, scooting closer.
"Gavin received Lissa's blood and is now capable of walking in daylight," Connegar observed.
"Even better!" Drew laughed. "We'll sick him on Dad and Uncle Crane. We'll see how a vampire Assassin stacks up to the Falchani."
"I don't believe this," I felt a headache coming on.
"You did not have a midday meal," Connegar leaned around Drew and placed fingers against my forehead. "You should eat something."
"How about pizza?" Shadow suggested. "They never make it at Grey House."
That was how we all ended up eating pizza while soaking in the hot tub ten minutes later. Mack and Justin came in, bent time and came back with enough pizzas to feed an army. They also got into the hot tub and didn't mind a bit that they were naked, either. Grace and Devin had to be proud.
"Lissa Beth, what is going on?" That was Gavin and he was now awake and looking for me.
"Gavin, I'm eating pizza and soaking in the hot tub with a bunch of naked men," I answered honestly, looking up at him—he was standing over me on the flagstone floor.
"Are all these yours?" He had hands on his hips.
"Those two aren't," I pointed out Mack and Justin. "But they brought pizza so I'm not complaining." That made Justin snicker.
We had to do introductions after Gavin removed his clothing and climbed in nude. He'd been right all along—it was impossible to embarrass an old vampire. He didn't have a thing to be ashamed of, but then nobody else did, either.
Gavin was shocked when Connegar pulled himself to his full height so he could see. He'd seen Pheligar once but Connegar was a full foot taller. Gavin was duly impressed, even for a vampire.
"This is Shadow Grey, a Master Wizard of Grey House," I introduced him. Shadow offered his hand and grinned. Gavin shook. "And these are Drake and Drew—they're Falchani," I explained. Gavin shook with them as well.
"We want you to come and spar with Dad and Uncle Crane," Drake informed Gavin.
"Drake, I'm not sure they want to see what a grumpy vampire is like," I intervened.
"Cara, I am not that bad," Gavin defended himself.
"Like I said," I gave Gavin a pointed look. "Do you want pizza?" There were still a few slices left. Gavin tried it, liked it, and ate three slices.
* * *
Gavin spent the night, and we stayed up late talking. Eventually he convinced me to sleep—I was tired and he was used to staying up all night. While he was sleeping after dawn arrived, I rose to do some sleuthing. I wanted to know who'd sent Flakkar to unsuspecting and ill-prepared worlds and why. I revisited several gates, discovering the local populations were trying to put their lives back together after the devastation. It wasn't easy; so many deaths had come with no bodies found to bury. A couple of worlds had found bones inside nests, but that's all they found. Most were desperately trying to make sense out of the whole thing. I wasn't having much luck either, until I caught a scent at one gate and it was so slight it was almost non-existent.
Had they stepped a toe across the gate entrance while they held both sides of the gate open? That's the only conclusion I could draw, but the scent was there—Dark Elemaiya. I Looked, too and determined that it would take two to hold a gate open. One could travel through alone, but to hold it open for longer than a second or two? That took more than one. My Dark Elemaiya had help. Whether it was another Dark Elemaiya or not, I intended to find out.