Roff went to get a glass of water before I had the opportunity to ask. I gulped it; he'd added a few ice cubes and I thanked him for that. He merely nodded and sat down at the table with me. "Was this a troubling dream?" Roff asked.
"No, I didn't know the people in it," I said. "A mother was sending her pregnant daughter away—that's what the dream was. Jeez, talk about confusing," I set my water down on the table and rubbed my eyes.
"Raona, let me carry you back to bed."
"I can get myself down; you don't have to go lugging me around all the time."
"But I like this," Roff grumbled.
"You can't like hauling me around." Except that he did. And he insisted, so I was carried downstairs and placed carefully back in bed.
"Go back to sleep, my Queen." Roff gave me a careful kiss and pulled the blanket over me. I listened while he made his way up the stairs, hearing the faint thunk of the basement door closing. I snuggled against Gavin's wide back and closed my eyes, falling asleep quickly.
* * *
"Child, Dominic is likely in the U.S.," Wlodek informed Radomir over the phone. "Make arrangements for the jet to fly his brothers to Oklahoma City. I would prefer that you go with them, rather than allowing Russell to make the journey. I have another assignment for Russell, and I will feel easier if you are there with Lissa and the others. I will be assured of getting complete information this way."
"Of course, father," Radomir had stepped outside the hotel to take the call, in case his father had sensitive information to impart. "I will make arrangements to leave tomorrow evening."
"Get the address for the safe house from Charles; obviously you will have to move the others and find another place to stay. None of the safe houses in the area are large enough to hold all of you." Wlodek tapped a pen on his antique desk; Radomir recognized the sound and could picture his sire's hands as they toyed with the gold pen.
"I will, father," Radomir said, ending the call. He immediately called the vampire who scheduled the Council's jet as he walked through the hotel entry and took the stairs to his room.
"Russell, call the Honored One, he has another assignment for you," Radomir announced as he strode into the room. Lorenzo and Thaddeus watched Radomir closely; they didn't know what this meant.
"Do not fear, your brother has been spotted in the U.S.," Radomir informed them. "We are flying there tomorrow evening to join others who will help us in our search." Lorenzo breathed a sigh of relief at the news; he worried that the Council would abandon his brother's cause and Dominic would be lost to him and Thaddeus.
"Pack up, brother," Lorenzo slapped Thaddeus on the back. They walked through the connecting door to gather their things.
* * *
"Our Raona was up in daylight again," Roff informed Gavin, who'd finished a pint of blood and was tossing the used bag into the compacter.
"What did she do?" Gavin asked, concerned.
"She claimed she had another dream and wandered to the upper level, where she drank some water. I convinced her to go back to bed." Roff watched Gavin carefully for signs of anger; he knew to leave should a vampire became uncontrollable. Gavin sighed instead.
"I do not understand how or why this is happening. Please continue to watch her and make sure she returns to my bed. When the werewolf arrives, he can assist you in this."
"Of course," Roff nodded to Gavin, quite happy that the vampire hadn't gotten angry.
Winkler arrived two hours later and Lissa had only been awake for an hour, moving about sluggishly while she drank her usual amount of blood. "Lissa," Gavin lectured, "it would ease my fears if you will promise not to wander around should you rise during daylight hours."
* * *
I looked up at Gavin's face; he was standing on the other side of the refrigerator door as I was placing my unused third of a unit back in the fridge. "I'm not going shopping or jogging down the street, if that's what you're worried about," I said. "The light is a little bright to my eyes; I don't think I can just walk out in it without blinding myself or something. All I do is talk to Roff or whoever is awake."
"Ask the wolf to find a pair of dark sunglasses for you, cara," Gavin said. "This way, you may sit and talk with Roff and your eyes will be protected."
My mouth dropped open—I know it did. Gavin, making a good suggestion instead of cursing in multiple languages and chastising me for going upstairs during daylight? Unheard of. "Uh, okay. I'll see if Winkler will mind getting some for me."
The doorbell rang upstairs and Roff came down a few minutes later, followed by Winkler, Dalroy and Rhett. Where were we going to put everybody? I even said that out loud, I think.
"Lissa, we have already discussed this on the phone with Charles and Winkler while you slept late," Gavin smiled. "The home in Nichols Hills is still vacant and Winkler has secured it for us to use again. There is plenty of room there for everyone. Also, Anthony's mother and stepfather are coming for a brief visit; they will meet us here first. Radomir, Lorenzo and Thaddeus will be joining us as quickly as they can arrive; they are flying here on the Council's jet."
"Holy crap," I muttered. Our numbers were getting huge. "Does Tony know his mother is coming?"
"He has been informed—René has taken him shopping so he may buy a gift for her."
"Ah." That's why I hadn't seen either of them. Winkler came over, grinned at me and leaned down to give me a peck on the cheek.
"Babies are fine, we had a doctor's visit yesterday," he informed me before I could ask.
"Good," I patted his back before turning to say hello to Dalroy and Rhett.
"Do you think you could get me back to that restaurant that had the good chicken fry?" Winkler said, his nearly black eyes twinkling.
"I can get you back there, but they stop serving at nine, dude," I poked Winkler in the ribs. It was past that already. "Maybe we can take you in the next few days and Tony's mother and step-dad can go with you."
"Sounds good. In the meantime, I need to eat something. We went straight to the airport after Rhett and Dalroy woke. I haven't had a chance to eat, yet."
"Jeez, Winkler, you could cave in," I teased. "Roff, do you have something suitable for tall, dark and furry, here?"
"I have a steak I can grill for him," Roff nodded. "I cooked chicken earlier; he may have the leftovers while I prepare his meal."