Will gave a weak smile. “As I said, Gina’s my first-born, we’re very close. She didn’t want to be left behind, and I didn’t feel I could deny her, so I brought her in Todd’s place. I hope this won’t be a problem.”

Sam twisted her lips as she studied Gina. “A background search will be done on you.”

Gina nodded respectfully. “You have to be careful about who you allow on your island. I understand. To give you a brief summary…I’ve been a vampire for over one hundred years. Will is my Sire, and I’ve served him for the whole duration of my existence as a vampire. I worked with him to help Salem attain the level of control he now has. It will be good to see Salem again.”

Instantly, I stiffened. There was too much intimacy in the woman’s voice as she spoke of Salem for my liking. And when she said his name, it dripped with ownership. More annoyingly than all of that, though, was the scheming glint in her eyes that told me she didn’t just want to ‘see’ him.

And just like that, I had Alora, Jude, Paige, Imani, Maya, and Cassie gathered behind me…like I was facing an invading army and we were all going into battle. I would have laughed if images of Gina and Salem weren’t flicking through my mind, pumping anger and resentment through my system.

Thousands of petty questions popped into my head: ‘Had Salem been serious about Gina?’, ‘Had he cared for her?’, ‘If yes, did he still care for her?’, ‘Will Salem be glad to see her?’, and ‘Can I kill her without pissing anyone off?’

My inner jealous harpy was urging me to introduce myself as Salem’s girlfriend and make it clear to Gina that he was off-limits. But instinct told me to wait. If I was going to learn more about her and her intentions toward him, I would need her to believe she could talk freely.

“These are members of the female squad,” Jared told the Pagoris when they looked at us expectantly. I didn’t greet them, since I didn’t trust myself to speak. The other girls didn’t greet them either, and I knew it was a show of support and loyalty toward me.

“You’re forming a female squad?” Blythe grinned, a little too animated. “That’s fantastic. It should have been done a long time ago. There are too many chauvinists out there.” Clearly she hadn’t watched Sam and Jared’s ascension on V-Tube or she would have heard Sam announcing her intention of forming this squad.

“There is,” agreed Gina. “I never understood it. Particularly the prejudice against Sventés.”

Oh, come on! It was obvious that they were sucking up to Sam by making a point that all of vampirekind knew was close to her heart. It seemed that Sam saw that instantly, because she regarded them with a sceptical gaze.

“There’s plenty of food under the marque, if you’re hungry,” Jared told them.

“Thank you.” Will smiled. “I was hoping to speak to Salem first. I’ve been looking forward to seeing him again. It’s been a long time. We have a lot to catch up on.”

“Where is he?” Gina glanced around. Her expression was cool, but anticipation swirled in her eyes. And I didn’t like it.

“Around,” Jared answered vaguely, taking Sam’s hand in his and squeezing lightly. The act was soothing, and it made me wonder if Sam’s mood was turning a little sour. After all, she knew exactly what it was like for her partner’s ex to show up. And she was no doubt protective of Salem, as he was a member of her personal squad.

Blythe’s smile faltered. “He does know we’re relocating here, doesn’t he?”

“Of course,” replied Jared. “But I don’t think he expected you to turn up so soon or he probably would have been on the lookout.”

“I’m sure he’ll be here in a few minutes,” said Sam. “He never leaves Ava alone for long.”

I quickly sent a thought to Jared: Tell Sam not to formally introduce me yet. He acknowledged that with an almost imperceptible nod.

Gina’s head whipped round to face Sam. “Ava?”

“His girlfriend,” Sam elaborated with total delight.

Gina ran her eyes along me and the group behind me, suspicious. But the suspiciousness quickly faded, and she looked to the marque, straining to see the people inside. Apparently she’d dismissed us as possible choices for Salem and was assuming his girlfriend was over there. Someone behind me snorted.

“Girlfriend?” Blythe rocked back on her heels. “Well that’s a surprise. Salem was never much interested in relationships. Other than with Gina.”

Hearing footsteps, I turned my head to see Chico, Butch, and Stuart – all of them looked fierce and watchful. “Hey,” greeted Chico carefully as he sidled up to me, “everything okay over here?”

Sam didn’t move her gaze from the newcomers. “We have some new residents. This is Salem’s Sire, Will, and his mate, Blythe. Oh, and that there is Will’s first-born, Gina.”

“She’s Salem’s ex,” I murmured only loud enough for the guys to hear. Instantly, they shifted behind me – more support. Will cast the slowly growing crowd an odd look but seemed to shrug off his confusion.

“These are members of our personal squad,” Jared told the visitors. He then suddenly added, “And so are the vampires on their way over.”

I saw then that Harvey, Damien, David, and Max were fast approaching; most likely in response to the gathering of our vampires. Max was looking much more alert now, possibly sobered by the prospect of trouble. Jared exchanged looks with the four of them, and I had the feeling that he was communicating with them telepathically. My suspicion proved correct when, appearing a little pissed, the guys joined the mass at my back.

Will spoke then. “Salem’s part of this squad, correct?” At Jared’s nod, Will’s smile seemed to shrivel. There was no happiness or pride there, despite that, in vampire terms, Salem was his ‘son’. Apparently he didn’t like Salem being a member of the legion. Well, well, well.

Blythe did her best to make eye contact with the male squad members who had planted themselves behind me. “I don’t suppose any of you know where Salem is?”

“Not a clue.” Chico’s voice was close to a growl.

“Maybe he’s with Ava,” mused Blythe before asking Sam, “Is he serious about her?”