In Darkness We Must Abide (The Fallen King, Episode 8) Read Online Free PDF

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    “It was hard for all of us when you didn’t come home.” Miss Robbins’s keen eyes were filled with a bit of anger and pain.
    “ I’m sorry. I just couldn’t.”
    “ You ran away.”
    “ Yes.”
    “ Because the vampires killed the pedophiles.”
    Vanora widened her eyes. “You heard?”
    “ Roman told me.” Miss Robbins shrugged. “They had it coming. It was justice.”
    “ I saw it.” Vanora wondered how the older woman could be so calm about a double murder in the house.
    “ I suppose seeing it is a lot worse than hearing about it, but those two got what was coming to them.” Miss Robbins continued to eat, looking eerily calm about what had happened.
    “ Yeah, it was horrible.” Vanora didn’t feel like eating anymore, but her body yearned for food. She forced herself to eat another bite.
    “ They don’t kill, you know. It was a slip.”
    “ I know.”
    “ You have to forgive them. They’re your brother and sister.”
    Vanora lifted her eyes. “I love them. I have forgiven them. But it doesn’t change what happened.”
    “ No, no. It doesn’t. But is that the only reason you went away?”
    Tearing off a hunk of her bread, Vanora nibbled on the still-warm crust. The vampires were terrible gossips apparently.
    “Armando hasn’t been around nearly as much as he used to be.”
    “ He’s been living part-time in Austin,” Vanora answered, shrugging.
    “ Oh!” Miss Robbins eyes flew open.
    “ I’m seeing someone. It’s not Armando.”
    “ Oh!” Whatever lecture Miss Robbins had ready seemed to die on her lips.
    Mentioning Dan was awkward. Vanora realized she hadn ’t even told him she was leaving Austin. What would she even say to him?
    “ Well, I’m glad you’re here. Tonight is the big party.”
    “ Party?”
    “ Roman and Carlotta’s engagement party. They did tell you about it?”
    Vanora winced. “Oh. Maybe. I don’t remember.”
    “ Anyway, Lord, I’m thankful you’re here. They’ll be so happy to see you. Of course, it’ll be a lot of work for me. What a mess they make!  You wouldn’t believe!  All of those vampires tramping through the house.  Oh, they’re like children!”
    Vanora realized with amazement that Miss Robbins did not seem to fear the vampires anymore. 
    “They all used to just sleep here, you know, whoever was still here at dawn, but I put my foot down.  I couldn’t do any of my cleaning.  I would have to keep the whole house dark because they just went to sleep wherever they felt like it.  They’d be on the walls, hanging from the ceiling, all over the floor.  But I told Master Roman that I couldn’t do my job so now he makes them leave before dawn.” 
    “ Aren’t there a few here now?” Vanora bit her lip, suddenly worried about Armando.
    “ Well, he allows a few to stay, but not like before. They’re restricted to the guest rooms now.”
    “ So they’re having a party here?”
    “ In the dead of winter. Can you believe it? Ryan is setting up the outside heaters. I told him not to bother. They’re dead and don’t feel the cold like we do. But Ryan pointed out that you’re going to be here and Carlotta wanted the heaters anyway.”
    “ She’s here a lot?
    Miss Robbins nodded, scowling slightly.  “She has basically taken over the position of mistress of the house.”
    “ And Alisha let her?”  Vanora asked over a bite of her stew.
    “ I think your sister likes being able to just paint and visit with Sheila.  Besides, Carlotta isn’t here every night.  Sometimes she disappears for days.  Like last week, she wasn’t here for a few nights.  Roman says that he has his life and she has hers.”  Miss Robbins leaned forward.  “They’re on odd pair, those two.”
    “ Do you like her?”  Vanora asked, spooning up some broth and trying not to sound or look too concerned.
    “ She’s a bit flamboyant for my taste, but she’s fine, I suppose.  Roman loves her though. You can see it. The way he looks