Ironic Sacrifice by Brooklyn Ann

bear pondering, Razvan?
    It seemed to be an eternity before she heard Silas’s keys jangling the knob. She still held her breath, ready to bolt if it wasn’t him. The door opened and she sighed in relief as she saw that it was. She also heard Akasha and Max coming up the walkway behind him.
    “Silas, what’s wrong, honey?” Akasha asked.
    “Yeah, what’s going on?” Max said, “You’re pale as hell. And that’s a hell of an accomplishment, considering.”
    “We’ve been invaded,” Silas growled.
    “Invaded?” Jayden’s heart crawled up into her throat at his obvious rage.
    The vampire ignored her and proceeded to explain. “One of Selena’s underlings left us a message.”
    “Which one?” Akasha demanded. “’Cuz if it was that prick, Michael, I’ll…”
    “I didn’t see who it was. The bastard took off before I got to the door.”
    Akasha’s mouth dropped open before she burst into laughter. “The guy pulled a ‘ding-dong-ditch?’ Are you serious? What a pussy!”
    Silas gave his wife an adoring half smile. His eyes stopped their eerie glow and he looked like himself once more. Jayden silently said a prayer of relief.
    “Well, what does the note say?” Max asked, bringing all attention back to the sinister missive.
    “I haven’t read it yet,” Silas said. The envelope was crumpling in his grasp. “But I’m getting a bad feeling about it.”
    “Do you see anything?” Jayden asked.
    The vampire shook his head. “Nothing clear.”
    “Do you want me to try?” she offered hesitantly.
    Silas gave her a long assessing look. “Only if you feel up to it after I read it.” He sliced the envelope open with his thumbnail, frowning at the writing scrawled on the front.
    “You’re not going to wait for Razvan, are you?” Akasha asked.
    Silas laughed, “Why? He likely would not wait for me if our positions were reversed.” He pulled out the letter, frowning again as he unfolded it. The vampire cleared his throat and read:
    “Dear Lord McNaught:
    “It has come to my attention that Lord Nicolae passed through my territory without requesting my permission. I am also aware that he had in his possession a human female of considerable psychic ability.
    “That stated, I will be lenient to Lord Nicolae and forgive his grievous insult of trespassing on my lands if he will entrust the psychic to my care. She could be a great asset to my order.
    “I have had visions of her and I fear greatly for her safety, as any woman with more than a passing acquaintance with Razvan would. I implore you, Silas to persuade our maker to see reason.
    “Ever yours,
    “Selena Vespucci, Lord of Post Falls, High Priestess of the Order of Eternal Night.”
    Akasha chuckled, “Is she fucking kidding? She’s crazy if she thinks we’re just going to hand Jayden over to her and her cult like a lost puppy or something.”
    Silas raised a brow. “She is crazy, Akasha. Don’t you remember? You’ve met her.”
    “Oh yeah,” she laughed drunkenly. “Bat-shit crazy!” her voice was louder than normal as she wandered into the kitchen and came out with another beer. “Wait a minute, did she say that Razvan Changed her? I had no idea.”
    The vampire looked back at the letter with wide eyes. “This is the first I’m hearing of it as well. However, she could be lying.”
    Akasha nodded. “Or it could be another of her delusions.” She took another long swallow of beer and hiccupped.
    Jayden thought that more alcohol was the last thing Akasha needed, but an intervention wasn’t her top priority, not when a crazy vampire lady wanted her for her cult. “Who is Selena and what does she want with me?” She hated the quavering in her voice.
    The compassion in Silas’s eyes was almost too much to bear. “Selena has always been addicted to power and your abilities make you especially desirable.” He headed over to the sideboard and removed a decanter of what looked like whiskey. He uncapped it and took a big swig