Free Kindling Flames: Stolen Fire (The Ancient Fire Series Book 4) by Julie Wetzel Page B

backside against the counter and crossed her arms. “I broke out the Scrabble tiles.”
    Darien snickered. “So, did you find out how she got hurt?”
    “Not yet,” Vicky said, letting out a long sigh. “They needed some time alone.” She thought about the couple wrapped up together in the other room. They were going to be parents. A flash of melancholy skimmed through her, making her heart hurt. With Darien as a lover, she would never have children. She pushed the pain away and forced herself to be happy. Sue was going to be a mother.
    Darien leaned over and gave her a quick hug, banishing the rest of her unhappiness. “So, I take it Karl will be staying for dinner?” He released her and reached for the can of sloppy joe mix.
    Vicky chuckled. “Most definitely.” So far, this had not been a boring week.
     
    ***
     
    The sound of Darien’s voice drew Vicky out of the trashy romance novel she had been attempting to read. Her eyes had skimmed across the same passage six times, but she was just not absorbing the words tonight. So much had happened in the last few days that her mind just couldn’t latch onto the story tonight. She looked up from where she was sprawled across the bed as Darien came into the room.
    “I see,” he mumbled into the phone as he went about gathering up clothing.
    Vicky closed her book and scratched Zak where he was curled up next to her. Her eyes followed Darien as he continued to listen to the phone. She was used to him choosing his work clothing in the evening, but tomorrow was Saturday, and none of the articles he had pulled out were suitable for work.
    “Have it ready by then.” Darien paused to listen again. “Thank you.” Hanging up the phone, he set it next to his stack of clothing and came over to sit on the edge of the bed.
    Vicky rolled over and looked up at the pensive vampire. “What’s up?”
    “I just got a call from Clara.” His voice was slow as he thought about his conversation with the head of the local Vampire Council. “The Council is still having issues with random attacks in the city. There’s going to be a meeting at the end of the week to discuss this rogue. She wants me to help.”
    Vicky considered him for a moment before answering. “Did you tell her about your issues?”
    Darien got real still for a moment before glancing over to the new mirror over his dresser. The glazier had done an excellent job replacing the glass Darien had shattered in a fit of rage. “No.”
    He breathed the word so softly Vicky almost didn’t hear it. Confusion crossed her face as she pushed up to a sitting position. “Why not?” she asked. “Isn’t losing your vampire powers something she needs to know?”
    Zak rubbed up against Darien’s hip.
    Dairen weaved his fingers deep into the little horror’s feelers. “This isn’t something I can let them know about.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “The council here may respect me enough to let this weakness slide, but there are other things out there that would see my failings as an opportunity not to be missed.”
    The seriousness of his voice caused Vicky to sit up a little straighter. She touch Darien’s arm reassuringly. “This isn’t your fault.”
    He turned and gave her a thin smile. “Maybe not, but it still leaves me vulnerable.”
    Zak gurgled and wiggled into Darien’s lap.
    He let out a chuckle and rubbed the small fay. “There’s not much you can do to protect me.”
    Growling, Zak rubbed his face into Darien’s stomach.
    “So, what do we do?”
    Darien turned to look at her and sighed softly. He loved that she was willing to help him without his needing to ask. “Well,” shifting Zak to the bed, he stood up, “I know of someone that might be able to help, but I have to go to them.” He turned and gave Vicky a cryptic grin. “How would you like to go drop in on them tomorrow?”
    “Sure,” she agreed. “Will it be okay to drop in unannounced?”
    Mischief bloomed in his eyes as