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That was news to Etienne He had thought Darnell hu to have to ask you to let me hold on to your cell phones while you’re here"

Is that really necessary? Etienne asked hiaze Yes We can’t risk the they see or hear Chris also wants o over them with a metal detector

Hell Isn’t the fact that the mercenaries didn’t attack us attracked?

Not in Chris’s ht you reinforcements today

I know, damn it I’m just tired

Darnell’s lips twitched as he stepped outside with them and held out his hand

Krysta and Sean dropped their phones into it, their irritation obvious

Darnell checked the phones to ensure they were turned off, then pocketed them "I’ll return them to you when you leave" He reached behind him and pulled a handheld hed "I apologize for this"

Krysta did not look pleased "So you expect h you clearly don’t trust me?"

"I trust you," Etienne assured her He really did

"If Etienne weren’t attracted to you, the rest of us would, too," Darnell said, earning Etienne’s wrath "But sh in the past toher brow, she held out her arms "Smitten, huh?"

Etienne didn’t deny it

Sean eyed the tith disapproval

Darnell passed the wand over Krysta’s head and chest, then down one ar her lips, Krysta rolled back the sleeve of the black shirt she had borrowed froer she had strapped to her wrist

Darnellthe weapon Another beep A dagger graced her other wrist as well Two more beeps revealed more tucked into the waist of her pants

Etienne raised a brow

"Well," she declared defensively, "what did you expect? Total trust? I haven’t known you for that long and a on faith that you all are what you say you are and aren’t vampires"

More beeps on her ankles More weapons

Darnell found the same on Sean Etienne wasn’t sure why that surprised him Krysta had said Sean had skills and Etienne had witnessed as ood"

Krysta stared at him "What?"

Sean looked at Etienne, then Darnell "Aren’t you going to confiscate our weapons?"

"No," they said simultaneously

Etienne wanted them to feel safe and knew the weapons would lend thelance

"Why not?" Krysta asked

Darnell shrugged "Ier and faster than vaainst the ht"

And there went the sense of security

Really? Etienne asked hi theesture of faith or friendship?

No I appreciated honesty when I sturunted, knowing he was right, but not wanting to admit it

Krysta sed "If you don’t care that we’re carrying weapons, ere you looking for with the metal detector?"

She was sharp Etienne loved that

Darnell shrugged "More cell phones Voice or video recorders Anything youdevices An overlooked tracking device had cost theain

Darnell entered the house and gestured for them to follow "Welcome And thank you for your cooperation"

David’s hoe and spacious and tastefully decorated with modern furniture Etienne had always felt at hoe Our whole house wouldn’t even fill this living roo all immortals, Seconds, and other o as they pleased Like Seth, he worked hard to create a family atmosphere So his hoh to handle it

Several sofas graced the living roo room on the left Etienne turned his attention there and saw that everyone else had already arrived Everyone save Seth and David

He guided Krysta toward a table that now seated twenty-eight A leaf had been added to extend the table and acco numbers

Conversation ceased as all eyes watched their approach

The chairs at the head and foot of the table were vacant, reserved for the eldest iht-century-old husband Marcus Aht Shebeen the priet of the last one, was understandably distressed by the news that the threat had resumed

Roland, the notoriously antisocial, nine-hundred-plus-year-old immortal, sat beside Marcus The two Brits had known each other for eight centuries and were like brothers Roland’s wife Sarah, transformed only a couple of years earlier, occupied the seat beside him and leaned into his side