The Vampire’s Servant novel Chapter 91

[Gray]

When we returned home, Echo took her bag and ran off to find Victor. I wanted to find Talia and talk to her about Echo’s reaction to the girls. In the end, they had caught on to her enthusiasm. She had the ability to make people as excited as she was.

Talia was in the library, laying on the couch, reading a book. I sat in the chair next to the couch. She looked up at me and closed her book before pulling herself into a sitting position.

“How did it go?” She asked.

“They were more than just catty. They attacked her verbally. They attacked our relationship. They even brought up my ex.” I sighed.

“How did she take it?”

“She seemed worried in the beginning, then she just stopped. Echo realized my mind wasn’t going to be changed. She realized I wouldn’t give up on her because of them. She told them off and we actually ended up having a pretty good time.” I admitted.

Talia nodded. “Good. She can judge situations and handle them effectively. No crying or screaming, right?”

“Right. She spoke like Victor does when he’s all vampire-y. Echo was cool, calm, and dismissive. I hope it means tomorrow will go well. My grandpa doesn’t like vampires.” I explained.

“That could be difficult. I believe Echo will handle it well. It’s good that we have this sorted. I finished with the preparations for the announcement of Victor’s inheritance of this territory. It will be in two weeks at a vampire owned establishment.” She said.

“Which one?”

“Sangre. It’s an upscale restaurant. They’ve announced it will be closed for a private event. They will serve blood foods and drinks with blood. I love a good party.” Talia smiled.

“What precautions are being put in place to protect Echo? After how Finn behaved the first time he met her, I don’t trust other vampires around her.” I told her.

“All in attendance have been informed that the Master’s Solus Amor is a dhampyr and they are not to touch her or bite her without her permission. This caused some questions. No one has ever seen a dhampyr with a vampire Solus Amor before they shifted into their second life. Some have even rejected their Solus Amor because of how that vampire treated them before they died. There is one ex-dhampyr who will be in attendance. He is interested to see a female who wasn’t raised the way they normally are. I think a lot of our guests are more eager to meet her than they are to meet Victor.” She chuckled.

“They’ve been told that her sire is Marius, right? I don’t want them thinking she’ll be unprotected if something happens to Victor.”

“Ah, well, Marius felt it would be better if that were announced while he was there. He wants to see them realize that she is more than protected. He likes the scent of fear. It has been worked into Victor’s speech that he will thank Marius for supporting him and will announce that Echo is Marius’ child in the same breath.” Talia explained.

“Good. I want them to know she’s off limits.” I said.

“I have this covered. Go on. It’s nearly Echo’s bedtime, isn’t it? She’ll miss you if you’re late.” She winked.

I got up and headed for the door. “Why don’t vampires know a dhampyr is their mate? It doesn’t make sense that they wouldn’t know. Or that the dhampyr wouldn’t know.”

“It’s a biting urge. All vampires are drawn to dhampyrs, dhampyrs only bite their mates. It would be a strange sensation that starts with their gums itching as their fangs come out. I think a lot of the vampires who were Solus Amors with dhampyrs just ignored it. They wouldn’t have wanted to work through the process of freeing their mates from servitude. It’s a sad statement about my people, but they probably it was best to wait until they were freed by death. I couldn’t imagine letting my Solus Amor live through the kind of treatment dhampyrs received in the past.” Talia responded softly.

“They didn’t deserve them if they wouldn’t fight for them. I know Victor would have fought for Echo if Daniel hadn’t lost her. He wouldn’t have stopped until she was his.”

“That is true. My Victor is as stubborn as you are. If he had found her being treated like a dhampyr by Daniel, he would have taken it to the highest court to free his Solus Amor.”

“Do you think she’ll ever love me as much as she loves him?” I asked.

Talia laughed. “If you don’t believe she loves you as much as him, then you need to get your head checked. Echo looks at both of you the same way. She talks about you the same way. She runs to see you when you’ve been away for any length of time. She cares for you both the same way.”

“You really think so?” I asked.

“Everyone in this house knows. Even Victor knows you are equals in Echo’s heart. Even if she started loving him first and used to love him more, she loves you both the same now.” Talia assured me.

“Thanks, Talia. I better go. I really appreciate your help.”

“That’s what I’m here for.” She waved, opening her book again and sinking down onto the couch.

I left the library feeling a lot better. My insecurities had overwhelmed me. I needed to get over that. I promised myself I would do better for her.

When I walked into Victor’s office, he was working at his desk, writing something using the silly pen Echo had bought him. Echo was sitting on the couch, cuddling her stuffed cat. I sat on the couch and pulled out my phone.

The feeling in the room was really comfortable. There was no tension of any kind. It was soothing. Like being truly at home.

“How’s the curse hunt going?” I asked.

“Finn is still tracking down whoever it is who can tell me almost everything about it. I’m trying to piece together what led up to it. Your great great-grandfather’s journals may hold the pieces to fill it out.” He said.

“I can talk to my great-grandfather tomorrow at the family dinner. It’s a big barbeque, now that it’s warmer out. We’ll head out around four and be there until after eight.” I told him.

“I see. Thank you for letting me know.” Victor replied with a slight smile.

“I… I think you should spend the night with Echo, in your bed.” I told him.

Echo looked at me curiously. Victor looked up from what he was working on. I felt my face redden.

“Look, she’s going to be with me all day and tomorrow night… well. You know. Anyway, I think you’re not getting as much time with her as I am. If you don’t have much going on tonight, then you don’t really have to be in here. You can lay down with Echo and just be with her all night.” I offered.

“Where will you sleep, Gray?” Echo asked.

“I can sleep in my room. It’s not like I don’t have anywhere to go, angel.” I chuckled.

“Are you sure, Grayson? There’s no reason you can’t sleep with us.”

“I’ll have her all night tomorrow night. She loves us both the same. There’s no reason to fight over time with her.” I said.

Echo moved closer and wrapped her arms around me. I leaned my cheek down on top of her head. We’d moved past my need for validation in Echo’s heart. It was finally time for me to back down and let my relationship grow the way it was going to.

“That’s kind of you, Grayson. Echo, let me know when you’re ready for bed.” He smiled.

“I have to get some laundry done. Probably another hour or so.” She said before getting up and bouncing out of the room with her stuffed cat.

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