From Protector of the Grey House:
Mierka greeted her in the garage. “Hello.”
“For some reason, I almost expected Joseph.” She gave Mierka a weary smile as she closed the car door.
“Am I a good stand in?” There was a smirk on the woman’s face.
Natalia laughed nervously as she rounded the car. “Yes, but he was keeping me up to date during all this.”
“I was taking care of Vincent. As he is not here yet, I choose to be where you are.”
“Thank you.” She stood next to Mierka now. “When will he be back?”
“Couple more hours. Did you find an answer to Joseph’s question?”
“No, but this is home.”
Mierka nodded and pointed the way to the stairs. “You still sound off.”
“I left here to find a safe place to sleep. Though I did sleep, it was fitful.”
They were in front of the door to the stairs. Mierka placed her hand on Natalia’s arm. “Are you sure you should be here? You’ll need your wits about you with Vincent.”
Natalia looked down as she folded her arms close. She rubbed her upper arms as if nervous. “This entire situation has me feeling out of sorts. Why did I go into that room, Mierka? Why did I look for it? I was always told I couldn’t be possessed, but Vincent was able to control me, as was that ring.”
“You feel as if your entire existence hangs by a thread?”
Natalia nodded.
“I’ve felt that way many times in my life, until I was turned. After I was turned, I threw all my doubt away and did as I pleased.”
Natalia laughed. “Of course, you did.”
Cat Stark 