High Society (The High Stakes Saga #3)

“Have you received word from Enoch, Asa?” a vampire halfway down the table asked. He was older, but his eyes were sharp as he swirled the blood in his cup, waiting for a reply.

“I expect he should arrive within the next few days. I will tell him of your concern for his wellbeing, John,” Asa replied, promptly ending the conversation. An awkward silence stretched over the room, but as it evaporated, chatter began again.

I mouthed the words A few days to Eve, who nodded.

“Have the two of you settled on a wedding date?” Terah asked loudly from across the room. Everyone went silent again as they waited for Asa to answer.

“Indeed,” he replied, grabbing Eve’s hand. She tried to pull away, but he held tight. “We no longer want to wait. In times like these, it’s better to move forward with life instead of continually delaying it. After all, we’ve declared our independence from England. It’s time to begin anew. Don’t you agree, Eve?”

Eve’s face turned red. “Yes,” she finally gritted out.

She looked to me for help, but I didn’t know how to help her out of this sticky situation. I thought landing in a pile of rotting, plague-ridden bodies was bad, but landing between two feuding Nephilim brothers might be even worse.

* * *

Enoch

There was an uneasiness in my gut that told me I needed to go home. Something felt off, and I couldn’t shake the feeling no matter what I tried to distract myself with or how far or fast I rode. The bulk of the Brits and Hessians were far north of here, but small regiments had broken off and come south. Too close to home.

They weren’t afraid to burn the houses of anyone supporting the Continental Army or even remaining neutral on the matter. If you weren’t thoroughly in support of Britain, they considered you against them and therefore, an enemy of the crown.

So help me, if they fired my house, I’ll make every last one of them wish they’d never set foot on American soil.

I dismounted as a tow-headed boy emerged from one of the nearby houses. “I’ll tend your horse, see that she’s fed, and fetch her some fresh water, Sir.”

“That would be most helpful. Thank you.” I smiled, sliding a few coins into his excited hands. The shiny metal led his attention away from my fangs. His face lit up before he ran away to tackle the chores he’d promised.

I made my way toward the church at the end of the muddy street, pausing just outside the yard. It wasn’t like I’d burn up if I stepped on holy soil, but I wasn’t welcome on it. I couldn’t enter the church and didn’t want to offend the man with whom I’d come to speak.

When the boy finished his chores, he saw me standing alone and rushed toward me. “Is there anything else I can do for you, Sir?”

“Indeed you can,” I answered, crouching down. “Do you know the pastor?”

“Of course I do,” he replied, nodding emphatically.

I pulled another coin from my pocket. “Run and fetch him for me?”

“I’ll be right back!” he exclaimed, pumping his arms and legs as he ran across the yard and up the church’s steps. He pushed open the doors and rushed inside, toeing the line between running and walking. Inside, he knocked on another door, then he and the pastor briefly spoke. The boy ran back outside to me. “He’s on his way. Anything else, Sir?”

“How about keeping my horse company?” I asked, holding another coin.

He held out his palm. “Absolutely. What’s her name?”

“Eve.”

“I’ll take good care of Eve.”

I smiled at him. “See that you do.”

The pastor emerged, his head balder than the last time we’d spoken. What hair clung to the sides of his head had turned from gray to stark white. War could make a man weary, and he was no exception. His three sons were in the Pennsylvania colony fighting for the Continental Army.

I’ve only asked for his help a few times out of necessity. I hated to do it. It put him at risk, as well as everyone else in this town. But the feeling stirring in my stomach told me to make my way to him instead of traveling farther north on my own.

Pastor Brown was well-connected and never failed to deliver a missive that I sent. The few times it had been necessary, he led the townsmen in a makeshift militia not entirely unlike mine and Asa’s. He was a man I could trust, and I hoped he felt the same about me.

“Have you any news from your boys?” I asked.

He shook his head, worrying his hands. “None, I’m afraid.”