From The Grey House:
“Zechariah will kill Bethany, and it’ll be your fault.” He was counting rosary beads.
She shook her head, still walking in slow circles. Her hands were crossed at her back. “Why would he, Marshal? I’ll be returning to him soon. He’ll never know the truth.”
The only one in the room not giving her surprised looks was Vincent.
From The Grey House:
“A lot of things. But I’m not sure you’re convinced I could be an asset.” Her tongue was turning faster than her mind. Though she was looking for new allies, now was not the right time for that. And a vampire ally while hunting a bloodsucker would probably be a bad idea.
“An asset to whom? Me?” He let her go and took a step forward. He had to be careful not to step on Anthony’s feet. “Humans are assets in two ways: as food and as cannon fodder.”
“Anthony, stand.” Anthony did as bid, forcing Vincent back. “You forget, sir, that you were human once, and so was he. I need you.” The look on her face and the tone of voice revealed how she needed him, but he didn’t think she noticed. “And I’m going to make you understand that you can use me. But for now, Anthony will walk me out. I’ll release him when I’m safe and I’ll make sure he comes back here.”
As this story largely takes place in the Bay Area, I didn’t think I had used the word ‘horse’. Turns out, I did.
From The Grey House:
She was sitting in the middle seat of a horseshoe booth at the back of The Red Thread, flanked by two Slayers on either side. Zechariah was to her right, with Marshal beside him. Miguel was to her left with Dean beside him. They were here to count the bodies. It was the middle of the week; there were fewer humans than usual, but there seemed to be more Hellspawn. The Slayers were betting on how many would die.
From The Grey House:
“We have an intruder.” Joseph spoke quietly and directed Vincent’s attention to the woman in the blue velvet dress. She was speaking to Morgan, or rather; she was ignoring Morgan, who was trying to talk to her.
“Who is she?” Vincent was mildly curious about the olive-skinned woman in the blue dress. Her beautiful black hair was mostly tied back in a French twist, with a few loose strands framing her face. He could not see her eyes, but he assumed they would be dark.
“Human.”
Vincent nearly choked on the blood he was sipping. “What? How?”
“Unsure. Jordan doesn’t remember letting her in.” Joseph pulled out his handkerchief and started blotting at Vincent’s fine Italian suit. “You should be more careful sir, you’re wearing a white shirt.”
From The Grey House:
Vincent reached over and grasped her wrist. He let her feel his strength. “Is it more important than your pleasure?”
“Vincent, please, just let me go.” Hesitation broke through and reflected in her eyes.
He pulled her to him. “You don’t have a choice, I’m taking you with me.”
“Vincent, if you take me against my will and make me break this appointment, I’ll find a way to expose you to the sun.” She no longer sounded hesitant.
From The Grey House:
Vincent left the room, and the memories, behind. It was called an oubliette for a reason.
Rebecca closed and locked the door once he was out. Joseph followed behind him as he walked up the passage to the cellar steps. Mierka and two others were waiting for them by the door. As they approached, one went into the air chamber. By the time Vincent reached the door, it was open. Mierka was standing by it, waiting. Vincent stepped through, closed the door then opened the other. His thoughts were far from pleasant as he walked up the steps
From The Grey House:
Vincent watched as she turned gracefully and sauntered over to him. She walked as a queen in her own castle. Once standing before him she ran her right hand up his left arm to the back of his neck to tangle in his hair. Her left hand went to his right arm and squeezed his triceps lightly. He allowed her to pull his head down for a kiss. His arms wrapped around her when the kiss grew deeper. Careful of her back, his arms had gone to her butt and shoulders. It was an awkward position, but he still managed to crush her to him.
From The Grey House:
Due to the shift of power, Vincent revised his plan and told his friends to scatter until they were needed. He kept a small amount of people in San Francisco and around the Bay Area to make sure he was kept safe. As his lands were not in the city, only his businesses, Vincent did not have to worry about Edwin trying to kill him. Also, Edwin took a certain amount of pleasure in sparing verbally with Vincent about their mutual hatred of each other. The younger vampire brought up the attempt on Christopher’s life almost every time Vincent was in earshot. He thought it was funny that Vincent could not take over the city.
From The Grey House:
The two men looked at each other across the small space. Edwin enjoyed the fact that Vincent tried not to look too angry at his presence. The silence stretched between them until Edwin broke into a greater smile. “You should lighten up a bit, Vincent. You look…tense.”
“Only due to the present company.”
Edwin licked his lips, showing off his fangs as he smiled. “I know you hate that I’m in charge. It must kill you that you can’t take control of San Francisco until Christopher comes back.”
From The Grey House:
Keith sank lower to the ground. His answer was barely a whisper. “The name of your favorite human at your club.”
Vincent contained his anger. He needed one more piece of information. “Which is?”
Keith collapsed completely on the floor. He was weeping. “Markus.”
The bellow started deep in Vincent’s chest and bubbled then burst forth into a barbaric roar. Vincent grabbed Keith by the shirt and carried him across the room, slamming him at full force against the far wall. “The fate that awaits you is too good for your betrayal.”
Cat Stark 