"I see I'm a gigantic disappointment to you," I muttered, lowering my eyes.
"Lissa, did I say that?"
"Not in so many words. I had no idea if you knew anything, Merrill. What was I supposed to do? Sit there and wait after fooling Mr. Vampy and his bitch squad and hope you and Weldon came back? Is that what you think? I sure as hell couldn't call the police."
"I am upsetting you when all I truly want to know is how you met Anthony Hancock." Merrill's eyes were hooded.
"I met him in Port Aransas," I grumbled. I think I was pouting a little, too. "He was there on vacation. I met him at a bookstore. I went out with him a total of three times. Is that a crime? Gavin certainly thought it was and he and I didn't have a relationship at the time."
"Did you sleep with Hancock?"
All right, that was plain insulting. And none of his business on top of that. "No, I did not sleep with him!" I shouted, flinging out a hand. "And if you want verification, you can ask Gavin. He was checking!" I stalked out of Merrill's study.
* * *
Merrill watched Lissa walk away and sighed. As soon as he knew she was headed toward her bedroom, he pulled out his cell and called Wlodek.
"Yes?" Wlodek answered on the second ring.
"She didn't sleep with Hancock," Merrill said.
"Then it likely wasn't from a lack of desire on his part," Wlodek returned dryly. Merrill gave Wlodek information regarding Lissa's initial meeting with Anthony Hancock in Port Aransas and their three dates.
"And now he's calling her almost every day on her old phone," Merrill said.
"I have received requests through our vampire contacts in Hancock's department, asking for her assistance as well," Wlodek went on. "Hancock has something for which he greatly desires her help, and I have been toying with the idea of having him present it to me first. I only consider this because we owe him for his assistance and the information he provided on Saxom's turns in New Mexico."
"Do you think it will place Lissa in danger if we allow her to go?" Merrill asked. "I just offended her by asking if she slept with Hancock."
"We both know there are more of Saxom's turns out there. We also know one of them was sent to collect Lissa in New Mexico. It is most fortunate she managed to escape. Should they learn what her talents truly are, they will attempt to capture her again. And as she is susceptible to compulsion, they can force her to do terrible things. They could bring our race and every other race on this planet to its knees, if not destroy it outright. She is enough of a Queen for that." Wlodek wasn't mincing words. "If we send her to Hancock, it may remove her from potential danger—they will expect us to keep her hidden away after the incident in New Mexico. I hear Mr. Hancock only wishes to make use of her scenting ability and to provide an extra guarding presence for him. Xenides and Saxom's other whelps may attempt to search her out and take her, and they likely realize she is here, In England. You know that as well as I."
"Yes, I do know that," Merrill sighed. "How is the investigation proceeding in searching out Xenides and Saxom's other turns?"
"We don't have enough Enforcers or Assassins to cover the globe. These rogues could be anywhere, preparing to spring the worst sort of trap against us. This is the calm before the storm, I believe."
"I worry as well, and Griffin is more tight-lipped than usual on the matter."
"That is why we must take care if we send Lissa out again," Wlodek agreed. "In the meantime, Henri and Gervais are requesting a meeting with her. They wish to see if she can teach them how to mist more quickly. I doubt this is possible but it cannot hurt to allow her to try and perhaps it will bring her around a little."
"When?" Merrill asked.
"In two nights; Gervais will return from France tomorrow and Henri is asking for the night after, if we permit. They were also asking if Gavin's permission was needed, but as he is out on assignment, I will decide this for him. Bring her at nine. I will have the misters here by that time. She may spend the day as well."
"I'll have her pack a bag," Merrill sighed.
* * *
"Lissa?" Merrill knocked on my bedroom door. I was sulking on the sofa in my sitting area and the television was on but muted. I wasn't really paying attention to it, though—I had my own thoughts chasing through my head.
"Come in," I muttered. He heard of course and opened the door. My fingernails and toenails were growing in one thin layer at a time and I was rubbing the toes on my left foot, my knees pulled to my chest as Merrill strode in.
"Lissa, I apologize for offending you earlier. It's just that Tony Hancock has left message after message on your old phone and we have to be sure of his motives." Merrill walked toward me.
"And mine as well, I'm sure," I snipped.
"As you say," Merrill inclined his head slightly and settled on the sofa beside me.
"And it's not annoying or anything that you're monitoring my phone calls. I hate being treated like a child."
"Lissa, to us, that's exactly what you are. A young vampire who is still learning." Merrill wanted to place an arm around my shoulders, but as he wasn't sure of the reception he'd get, he held back. Just as well. I certainly wasn't in the mood.
"So, you want me to be Miss goody two-shoes," I said. "Do everything you say and never question a thing. Yet you send me out to guard the Grand Master and leave me blind. Or send me to Florida because you might need a mister. You don't send a six-year-old after thugs or terrorists, Merrill. You can't have things both ways. Feel free to pass that on to Wlodek. I warn you, though, beat me again and you may as well kill me. I won't submit to it." I stood and angrily walked away to pace at the foot of my bed.
Silence grew uncomfortably between us for a moment before Merrill spoke. "We know about your father, Lissa. And about your mother." Merrill's quiet statement stopped me in mid-stride.
I whirled to face him. "Is that why you beat me? Is it? Is that why that f**ker Sebastian hit me in the head there at the end? I don't believe this." The tears came; I couldn't stop them. My father, or the one who'd been listed on my birth certificate anyway, had always claimed I wasn't his and there at the end he'd killed my mother and then did his best to kill me with blows to the head, shoulders and back.
Merrill got up but I held a hand out. "No, just stay away," my words were choked.
"Lissa, we didn't know at the time. We didn't find out until later. Let me hold you."