Chapter 5 #2
Spence sat and let the familiar cool presence of the Master Vampire wash over him.
The blood bond was designed, all those millennia ago, for the vampire to keep track of the daywalker, and not the other way around.
And yet, he could often sense Zander’s emotional state.
Today it was calm and focused, with a tiny thread of concern that probably had to do with whatever he wanted to discuss.
After a minute, Zander set his pen down and met Spence’s gaze with those impossibly blue eyes.
“You’ve been anxious,” Zander said without preamble. “About returning to Anchorage.”
Not a question. Zander could feel his emotions through their bond, probably had been feeling them build all month. He could also see into Spence’s head, so he already knew exactly what Spence was thinking.
“Yes, and I know it’s not constructive, but…” he sighed. “I worry, and I know you don’t like it when I say I can’t help it, but … I worry, Sir.”
“I’m proud of you for looking at it logically, but emotions don’t always care about logic. Talk to me. Let’s get it out in the open so it isn’t a secret worry anymore, yes?”
Spence looked down at his hands, choosing his words carefully. “The silo is … contained. Intense. We’ve built something here, the three of us, but it’s been in this specific environment. What if—”
He forced himself to continue. “What if it doesn’t translate? What if Anchorage is too different, too normal, and the magic doesn’t survive?”
Zander was quiet for a moment. “You think our triangle only works in darkness?”
“I worry that it works so well in this tiny little space with such a regular schedule that forces us all to interact and spend hours a day with each other. What happens when we’re all headed off in three different directions?”
He met Zander’s gaze. “Anchorage doesn’t work like this.
You have businesses to run, plus coterie and territory drama to handle.
Emmy will have her research. I’ll have my own responsibilities.
We’ll have separate schedules, and she’ll have her own life outside the coterie house.
It’ll just be us … I don’t know. Interacting between all the chaos. ”
“And you think that will break us.”
Spence’s throat tightened. “I think it might change us. And I’m afraid of what that might look like.”
Zander leaned back in his chair, studying him with that annoying yet comforting patience that came from millennia of living.
“It’s true that we originally came together through a crisis, but we’ve proven we can survive past that.
I don’t know what the future holds, but if we’re meant to be, we’ll figure it out.
And if Emmy flies away from us? You and I will still, always , have each other. ”
Zander leaned back in his chair. “The silo was the crucible. Anchorage will be the tempering. Do you understand the difference?”
“The crucible turns the steel into a sword, or whatever.” Spence said slowly. “The tempering makes it stronger.”
“Exactly.” Zander’s smile was warm. Reassuring. “We built the foundation here, and we’ll use the day-to-day life stuff when we get home to strengthen what we forged here. It won’t look the same, you’re right about that, but different doesn’t mean broken.”
“Emmy’s afraid, too,” Spence said quietly. “I can feel it, sometimes. It’s like she’s desperate for sunshine but also afraid of leaving.”
“Unfortunately, neither of us can read her mind, so it’s a guess, but you’re probably right.
” Zander’s expression softened with fondness.
“Our dragon has always been better at running toward things than admitting fear, but she loves us, Spencer. That’s real.
It was real before the silo, and it’ll be real after. ”
“And if you’re wrong? If we get to Anchorage and everything falls apart?”
“Then we’ll deal with it.” Zander’s voice was firm. “But I don’t believe that will happen. Do you know why?”
Spence shook his head.
“Because all three of us are choosing this. Every day, through every challenge, we’re choosing each other. That’s not circumstance, that’s foundation.” He leaned forward. “Trust what we’ve built, trust us, and most importantly, trust yourself. You’re stronger than you think.”
The words settled something anxious in Spence’s chest. It didn’t entirely erase the fear, but it shrunk it a little and made it more manageable.
“Thank you, Sir.”
“You’re welcome. How is the edging going?”
He blew out a breath. “I had to push my butt into a wall this morning, Sir, but this afternoon, I mostly managed without it. I think I’ll be even better the next time.”
“Good boy. You’ll figure it out.” He glanced at his notes and looked back up. “Can you coordinate with Amaya about the Eyes Wide Shut ball preparations? Make sure she’s adequately planned for how to manage the task of shaving the heads of all flock members, and getting them into identical makeup.”
“Yes, Sir. We’ve talked about it, and I’ll be bringing in makeup artists and hairdressers, and they’ll stay in town to wait for the first flight back, carrying the daywalkers the next morning. Cheaper to put them up in town than to make an extra flight.”
Spence sighed. “One thing, all the shifters will want to change , after, to grow their hair back, and that’s understandable, but it means flying more meat in.
It’ll be a lot cheaper if the predator shifters will wait until we get back to Anchorage, where we have plenty of chickens and other animals they can eat while they’re on four legs. ”
“Right. Get a tally for the predators — everyone who wants to change after the ball without waiting, and tell them they’ll get thawed meat from the freezer, whatever we have available.
If they wait until the following day in Anchorage, they get a live animal.
Also, remind the kitchen we’ll need more veggies pre-thawed for the prey shifters. ”
Spence nodded. “That works. I’ll get with the stables and let them know to be prepared for us upon arrival.”
“Excellent. That’s all I have, anything you need me for?”
Spence stood. “I love you, and I know you’re busy, but I’d love for you to order me to blow you before I leave.”
Zander smiled. “I’d love that as well, but it’ll have to wait. Go take care of our people, Dearest. I’d be lost without you in my life, in so many ways.”
Spence left, and when he was one floor away, Zander’s voice came into his head.
Anchorage will work itself out. Focus on the present. On what we have right now. The future will take care of itself.
Spence smiled. Yes, Sir.