“You’re welcome.” Jordan hesitated. “We’re all night owls and tend to stay up late, so you’ll have to speak up if the music or the TV bothers you.”

She shook her head. “Thanks for the warning, but I’m a pretty hardy sleeper.”

Usually. When she wasn’t having nightmares of being endlessly tortured by a vengeful Djinn.

“I’ll let the others know. Bon appetit.”

As he left, she pushed the door shut with one foot, carried the tray to the bed and removed the lid from the main plate to reveal succulent slices of moist roast chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy and dressing. Real, homemade food.

She dove in and didn’t come up for air until all of it was gone.

As the nutrition hit her system, it gave her a burst of energy and the fog cleared from her mind. Gathering up the tray, she took it downstairs to the large, well-appointed kitchen, washed her dishes and found the appropriate drawers and shelves for everything except for the tray itself and her used linen napkin. After some hesitation, she left those on one end of the counter.

Then she went exploring, and ran into a large number of young men engaged in a variety of activities. Some watched TV and a few played Ping-Pong in the large family-style room in the basement.

Still more worked on laptops, although she never got a glimpse of what was on any of their screens. To a person, they closed their laptops before she got too close.

In fact, except for Jordan, Raoul, and an older Hispanic-looking woman with graying hair who introduced herself as the housekeeper, Angelica, all of the other attendants she met were young, fit-looking men.

Was that strange?

She was inclined to think that was a little strange, but then she was running short on sleep and so many other weird things had happened that day, she decided to let it go for the moment.

After so many introductions, she didn’t remember anybody’s name except for Diego’s, mostly because Raoul had mentioned him before.

“You’re the one who searched my car,” she said to Diego as they shook hands.

“So I did,” he said. He was a handsome man who appeared to be in his thirties, but then she wasn’t sure about anybody’s real age on the estate. His dark, restless gaze swept over her, taking in her appearance. “Are you settling in all right?”

“Yes, thanks. Jordan brought me a supper tray with the most amazing carrot cake for dessert.”

He nodded. “Jordan’s a great cook. And don’t worry about the dessert. You’ll be working off the calories soon enough.”

It was her turn to glance down his lean, muscled body. He looked like an athlete in the peak of condition. While a regular blood offering to Xavier would give him a lot of enhancement, she bet those bicep guns and washboard abs came from good old-fashioned, hard training.

“Looking forward to it,” she said. “Hey, it is okay if I walk around outside?”

“Sure it is, chica. Use the gym, swim in the pool, walk the beach. You’re home now. Just don’t help yourself to Xavier’s wine cellar without permission.” His gaze went back to his closed laptop.

Taking the hint, she backed away. “Okay, thanks.”

She went upstairs, grabbed her jacket and slipped out the front door. The lawn was wet and the breeze felt damp on her face, even though the night sky had turned clear with just a thin film of cloud on the horizon. A moment later, an underground sprinkler system kicked on, and she smiled. Lawns that were this beautiful took some upkeep.

Exploring the gym could wait until daylight. Keeping to the paths, she made her way to the edge of the oceanside bluff. A wide, simple set of stairs had been carved into the rock. With a sense of incredulity and pleasure, she descended to the beach.

The ocean was a vast dark blue, lightly touched with ripples of silver, while the beach was a deep, shadowy ocher. She felt the urge to pinch herself. The scene was too idyllic. There had to be a catch.

Well, of course there was a catch.

It was an idyllic scene, with Vampyres. Or at least one courteous, yet quite autocratic Vampyre.

Tucking in her chin and wrapping her jacket close, she strolled down the beach and let the stress of the day melt away.

A shout came from some distance, and she turned to look behind her. A man stood at the top of the bluff. As she watched, he leaped down the stairs and raced toward her.

It was Raoul. When he came near, she said defensively, “Did I do something wrong? Diego said I could walk the beach.”

“Usually, you can, but not tonight.” Raoul’s voice was grim. “Get back to the house now. Run.”

Her heart kicked. Man, her adrenal system had been overworked for days now. Jogging along the sand while he kept pace beside her, she panted, “What’s wrong?”

“We’re getting company.”

He didn’t say anything else until they reached the attendants’ house. When she turned to ask him questions, he opened the door, put a hand to her back and propelled her inside.

She went without resisting. After experiencing his calm, unflappable behavior earlier, his attitude now seriously scared her.

The other attendants had gathered in the large living room, some sitting and others standing. It was the first time she had seen all eleven together. Everyone watched Raoul, expressions tense.

Without preamble, he said, “The council has broken off for the night. Melisande is coming to stay here until tomorrow evening, and Justine is coming with her.”

While Tess didn’t recognize either name, she watched a ripple of reaction pass through the others.

Diego said sharply, “Justine. She’s coming here?”

“Correct.” Raoul turned to Jordan. “Justine usually travels with two attendants, and Melisande will have a couple of bodyguards with her, which means you’ll be preparing food for at least five people.” He said to everyone else, “Only senior staff is allowed outside this house until they leave. Tess, the senior staff is Diego, Jordan and his assistant Peter, Angelica and her assistant Enrique, and myself.”

“I’ll get weapons,” Diego said.

Weapons? Tess tilted her head. For houseguests?

Another of the young men—Marc, she thought his name was—said, “I’ll help.”

“Hurry,” Raoul said.

The two raced out the door.

Raoul turned to Tess. “I know you don’t understand what’s going on, but you don’t have to understand to follow orders.”