The moment we emerge from the garden entrance, Simon is there.
“Trebuie sa vorbesc cu tine imediat,” I tell him in Romanian, letting him know I need to talk to him right away.
“Yes, sir.”
He knows never to disobey me. Never to challenge me. My family knows my word is law.
“Take Allison to her room and then meet me in my chambers.”
I leave the two of them right where they stand, heading back into the castle, walking up the grand steps to the second floor, entering my personal chambers and slamming the door shut.
I stalk to the mahogany desk in the room’s corner and grab my phone, putting a call into Viggo, the head of my security. A man like me doesn’t need much security, but he’s good to have around when I need an extra set of eyes. He answers on the second ring.
“We have a problem,” I say into the receiver.
“What’s that?”
“We may have the attention of the other clans on us.”
“That’s not good.”
“I know. Call your contact in Bogdan’s clan and see what you can find out.”
“I’m on it.”
I disconnect the call at the same time Simon enters my chambers.
“What were you thinking talking to her about things someone could overhear?”
He perches on the edge of my king-sized bed, bracing his hands on the black comforter.
“Draven, I don’t think we were followed. I told Allison it was a family emergency when no one was around.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Simon, let me explain something to you. She’s the chosen one. The one who wields the power, and yet, you act like she’s some ordinary girl.” My voice rises. “You treat her like she’s your girlfriend and you’re taking no actions to protect her.”
Simon stands. “That’s not true. I’m doing everything I can to keep her safe. I brought her here. I care about her.”
I arch a brow at him. “Does she care for you?”
Simon rubs at the back of his neck. “I think she does.”
“Does she know what you are?”
He shakes his head. “She doesn’t believe in vampires. She’s writing a paper to disprove them.”
I know all about this paper, and how her teacher said to pick a legend to prove or disprove. But I can’t reveal that to Simon, for obvious reasons.
“Interesting. Have you read this paper?” I chuckle to myself, wondering what excuses she’s come up with to disprove my existence.
“I’ve read parts. She says there’s some disease that exhibits symptoms…” He continues explaining the specifics of her research, and I find it fascinating. I’ve heard of the disease before, but it’s much milder than an actual vampire. The fact she thinks they could be the same makes me smile.
“What else have the two of you done? You didn’t sleep with her, did you?”
Simon stares back at me, almost challenging me. I can see in his eyes that he’s wanted to get between her pretty thighs. That he’s thought about it. “No, sir. I know if a vampire has sex with her, she’ll lose her power. Right?”
I’m not even one-hundred percent sure if that’s true, but I’d rather him believe it than not.
“Good.” My concerns ease, but only slightly. I still have the worry that someone overheard the two of them. “On the plane? Did you mention where you were taking her?”