Biting Cold: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel (CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES SERIES)

time for self-pity. Not with Dominic and Seth still out there. Not when others had work to do, as well. This was the time for graciousness and gratitude.
    “Thanks, Grandpa,” I said. “I try to do my best.”
    “I know you do. We all know it. Stay safe, baby girl.”
    “I will. You, too.”
    We said our good-byes and I put the phone back into my pocket, glad that I had family to count on and turn to, even if it wasn’t the family I’d expected.
    My phone calls made, I left my room and made my way to the basement. I kept my fingers crossed that everyone would be dressed and in an upright position when I opened the door. But I still braced myself for horror, especially when I heard loud thumping coming from behind the double doors—music, something of the techno or electronica sort, with a solid bass line and a strange, high-pitched melody.
    Since musical thumping could easily be accompanied by physical thumping, I opened the door carefully and peeked inside.
    Success! There were no chaps in sight.
    Kelley and Juliet sat at the conference table. The computers and CCTV monitors were all staffed. Although their faces looked familiar—they were Cadogan vamps I’d seen around the House—I’d never seen them in the Ops Room.
    Curiosity piqued, I walked inside, pointed at the newcomers, and looked at Kelley. “What’s going on?” I yelled over the music.
    I hadn’t exactly been shy about the question, and all of them turned to look at me.
    I waved a little.
    “Helpers,” Juliet said. “New probationary guards.”
    “You actually hired someone? How long was I out?” I looked over the guards, who all wore the Cadogan uniform (black suits) and small earpieces tucked around their earlobes. They typed quickly and scanned their screens intently, and generally looked pretty competent.
    “They’re temps,” Kelley said, her head bobbing with the music. “We gave up on interviews.”
    That was understandable, especially if the few interviews I’d seen were any indication of the whole. The applicants weren’t big on social skills. Or physical skills. Or really any skills that would have made them decent candidates for House guards.
    “Glad to hear it. That you have temps, I mean, not that the interviews were awful. And the music?”
    “Vamps and shifters are no longer the only sups in town!” Juliet said, raising her hands in the air.
    Luc and Lindsey appeared in the doorway, and Lindsey squealed when she saw me. She pulled me into a hug that nearly rebroke my rib. After a moment she released me but still pressed a big kiss to my forehead.
    “We were so freaking worried about you!”
    “I’m glad to be back.”
    Luc pulled the door shut, then directed one of the newbies to turn down the music. “The big man’s in the House,” he said, “so let’s keep the celebration quiet and simple. As far as we are concerned, this office is more efficient and under budget than any other in the House. We keep our little corner of things quiet, and we keep the GP out of it.” Luc sat down at the conference table and kicked his feet atop it. “Although we are celebrating because of a very important tenet. One of my key rules for House success, actually.”
    Lindsey and I rolled our eyes. Luc had a lot of “key rules,” as well as “tenets,” “scenarios,” and “protocols.” And he liked to share them regularly.
    He pointed at me. “A vampire’s best ally, Sentinel, is the guy that makes your enemy more nervous than you do.”
    I assumed he was referring to the other sups’ announcement that they existed, and he was probably right.
    “And I’ll tell you what else I know,” he said, punching his fingertip into the top of the conference table. “We have our Master back, our Sentinel is alive, and I have four new probies to harass. Life hardly gets better than that.”
    Lindsey cleared her throat. Loudly.
    Luc’s ears turned crimson red. “Well, it gets a little better.”
    Lindsey sent him an arch look. “A little?”
    “ Hugely better,” he said. “Fundamentally better. Tremendously better.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Sure thing, Sugar Lips. But that’s not even the best part. Now that we have staff to cover House security, our Sentinel can focus on her job instead of slumming around here.”
    I sat down at the table and pouted a little. “I like hanging out down here. I don’t have a staff.”
    Lindsey cleared her throat again.
    “Or a Lindsey.”
    “You’re welcome here anytime you like.