My Lord Immortality by Alexandra Ivy Page A

was not easy to admit, even to himself, that he had somehow lost that necessary edge.
    â€œI am not as . . . detached as I should be,” he reluctantly confessed.
    Surprisingly, Nefri raised her brow as if puzzled by his admission.
    â€œAnd why do you believe you should be detached?”
    Sebastian frowned. “If I am to outwit Drake, then I must have my senses clear. Something that is impossible when Miss Hadwell is near.”
    Without warning, the vampire gave a low chuckle. “Do not fret, Sebastian. You are perfectly suited to be a Guardian for the Medallion.”
    Sebastian could not find the humor in his situation. Indeed, he found it all utterly frustrating.
    â€œOh, I have proved to be quite a Guardian,” he said dryly, his fingers still pressed to the slowly healing wound upon his temple. “I cannot even protect myself.”
    Nefri clicked her tongue. “Do not blame yourself. The vampire you battled tonight possessed great powers. Powers perhaps even greater than my own.”
    Sebastian could not halt a small shiver as he recalled the fierce attack. There had been something unnerving in the cunning manner he had been lured into the stables and the savagery of the villain. There was also a lingering puzzlement as to the motive for the attack.
    Had it simply been designed to allow Drake to be alone with Amelia?
    Or had it been meant to put a permanent end to him? And if so, why had the vampire not finished the task? If he were willing to use forbidden powers, he could have destroyed him. Or placed him under a spell that would have held him captive for an eternity.
    â€œBut who?” he demanded in harsh tones. “And why attack me?”
    Nefri’s countenance hardened with a bleak expression. “Those are questions that I fear will be answered soon enough.”
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    After yet another restless night, Amelia rose and attired herself in a muslin gown the soft shade of daffodil. She even took extra care with the raven curls that she piled atop her head, leaving a handful to softly frame her face.
    A glance in the mirror assured her that only close scrutiny would reveal the shadows that darkened her eyes and the faint hint of strain upon her features. It was important that she hide her prickling sense of unease. She did not want William or Mrs. Benson fretting needlessly. Having to devote her days to comforting and reassuring them was an additional burden she did not desire.
    Smothering a sigh, she ran her hands over the soft muslin of her skirt and squared her shoulders. She was already late for breakfast. If she did not show herself downstairs soon, Mrs. Benson would be in search of her. The mere thought of her squawking was enough to make her teeth clench.
    With a measured step she left the peace of her chambers and made her way to the lower floor. She discovered a portion of her lingering alarm fading beneath the bright summer sunlight that tumbled through the wide windows. Mrs. Benson had even filled the rooms with freshly cut flowers that managed to mask the less pleasant aromas that drifted from the streets.
    Entering the small breakfast room, she was surprised to discover that William had already eaten his meal and departed. As a rule he remained, awaiting her arrival, regardless of how late she might be.
    Her brows pulled together in concern. Surely he had not left the house—not after her stern lectures.
    Standing in the center of the room, Amelia more sensed than heard someone enter behind her and she swiftly turned to find her housekeeper bustling in with a tray to clear the table.
    â€œOh, Mrs. Benson, have you seen William?” she demanded, before she could stop the words.
    Rather than responding with her usual fuss, Mrs. Benson merely smiled with a surprising satisfaction.
    â€œYes, he is in the front salon with his visitor.”
    Amelia blinked in surprise. “A visitor?”
    â€œA Mr. St. Ives. William appeared right pleased to have him