Demon Moon

when she tried to convince me that she was marrying your father because he had a good family.”
    Savi snorted with laughter before she caught herself; her dad’s family had only been good in the most superficial of ways. When her amusement faded, she said earnestly, “He’ll take care of me. I’m most concerned about you. I want you to go back to Mumbai for a little while.”
    “No—”
    “Yes,” Savi said firmly. “Look at what happened tonight; the demon is trying to hurt me by hurting you. I need to know you’re safe, and away from here until this is resolved. Not more than a couple of weeks. And I’ll take care of the restaurant’s repairs while you’re gone. Maybe do some updates in the kitchen.”
    Her grandmother’s mouth tightened, and Savi could see she was getting ready to protest again, when a knock sounded at the door.
    She turned as Colin opened it, stepped through. His golden hair had been flattened by the rain and his clothes wrinkled, yet he managed to exude a careless elegance. It had to be some obscure vampire ability—but she knew the sudden happiness and relief that swept through her upon seeing him had little to do with superpowers. It was just him.
    Colin looked between them with a boyish grin that he didn’t attempt to conceal. He casually brought his thumb to his mouth and pressed it to one of his fangs, then used the blood to activate the symbols scratched into the door frame.
    Savi hid her shock; it was as clear a declaration of his nature to Nani as her long-winded description had been of the changes in hers.
    His gaze settled on her grandmother, and he asked in Hindi, “You are well?”
    “Yes, beta .” Her grandmother did not seem similarly surprised; instead, she scrutinized him as carefully as she would the front counter at closing time, the food preparation surfaces in the kitchens.
    “You must forgive me for eavesdropping—” His grin widened as he darted a glance at Savi. “—but I would offer an alternative. Particularly as, if they know the language, any demon or vampire listening would have heard your granddaughter’s suggestion that you flee to India.”
    With an embarrassed laugh, Savi said, “You see, he’s already protecting me from my impulsive nature. I either think too much or not at all, and often do both at the same time.”
    Nani gave an amused headshake of agreement, but her gaze remained on Colin. “What do you suggest?”
    “Beaumont Court. Selah or Michael could teleport you, and there would be no record of travel; we could make it appear you took a flight to Bombay, as Savi suggested. I will send someone along to act as guard—a Guardian, if one can be spared, or a partnership of vampires from those Castleford has been training.”
    “It is your family home? Would I inconvenience them?”
    Colin smiled. “Of course not.”
    Savi’s stomach knotted. It was the perfect solution, but it meant Nani would be staying with the Earl of Norbridge. An aristocratic family. “They would welcome her?”
    For an instant, his eyes darkened to stormy gray, his jaw clenched as if in anger. “Yes, Savitri.” His words were almost as clipped as when he’d spoken to the demon. “We no longer require untitled foreign guests to sleep in the stables.”
    Her throat tightened in dismay. “I didn’t mean it that way.”
    “There are few other meanings to be taken.” His voice softened when he looked at Nani. “I promise you would be treated the same as they would me. Probably better; they’ll feed you.”
    Nani’s lips pursed for just a moment. “Savitri? Will this alternative suit?”
    Her grandmother had solicited her opinion. Savi knew she should have been feeling triumphant, but when she met Colin’s flat stare, she only wished it would warm. “Yes. Thank you.”
    “Very well, beta .”
    He gave a short nod. “I’ll make the arrangements. You can go tonight; already it is early morning there. Continue to speak of it as if you are leaving for Bombay. I’ll return in a few minutes to drive you home so you may collect your things.” With a swipe of his hand, he erased the blood from the symbols and left.
    Savi released a shaky breath, sat on the edge of the desk. “Goddammit.”
    “Savitri, do not use such language,” her grandmother admonished. “Why would you insult him so, question his hospitality? You can’t think he is the same as Jonathan Murray.”
    “No. God, no.” Her grandfather; she could not think of two men more