Vincent's phone rang, and he had to reach over me to grab his cell off the nightstand. The fact that I was startled meant we had dozed off. Or at least I did, and now that I was awake, I wanted to savor the moment. As I snuggled closer to his chest, he looked at the screen of his cell and sighed, silencing the ring before abandoning it on the bed.

"I'm afraid we won't be alone for long. That was Charleton." His breath warmed my still damp head where he spoke against it, and I stretched for his mouth to press a kiss to it.

"We can always lock the bedroom door and pretend we're asleep."

"It won't work with him. He only calls when it's important, and if he knows I'm here, he won't think twice about waking us."

The door to the apartment opened and the dogs jumped off the bed, their nails clicking on the wood floor as they hurried to investigate.

"Vincent?" Charleton called out.

"What did I tell you." Vincent kissed my forehead as he sat up. "Stay right where you are. If we're lucky, I can delegate this supposed emergency to someone else." Dragging his hand though his hair, he strode out the room. "Good morning, Charleton."

Vincent's voice carried down the hall, and I slowed my breathing so I could focus on listening.

"Is Reese asleep?" Charleton asked.

"No."

"Oh. Maybe we should talk on the balcony."

"Why?"

"I have something to share that's of a personal nature."

"Reese is one of us. She needs to be included in everything."

"Well, you may not want her to hear what I have to say. A message just arrived from Cecile."

A few seconds passed before I heard the sliding glass door open and close. Damn. What did Charleston have to say that I wasn't supposed to hear? Who was this Cecile person? Was she a person? I snagged Vincent's pillow and curled up with it, breathing in his exotic scent, and ten minutes later Vincent returned and made straight for his bathroom without a single glance in my direction.

"I'm going to shower," he offered curtly before closing the door.

A shower? We showered not four hours ago. My heart took a nosedive. Whatever Charleton told Vincent had been serious enough to shut him down. Now what? Should I risk pissing him off by insisting he tell me what Charleton said? I didn't want to argue with him, not after our amazing sexual escapades.

The thought of being in the same room with a moody Vincent thrilled me about as much as having a cavity filled, so I left him to brood and walked to my room to get dressed. Sylvie had clearly not returned, and I figured she and Colin had themselves a lovely evening not watching Pacific Rim. The clock on my cell read six forty-two. Perfect time for coffee, and I took a chance that Sylvie was awake, popping off a text as I brushed my teeth.

Going for coffee. You want to join me?

Her response came back almost immediately.

On my way to you now.

As I walked to the door, Sylvie opened it, and Bonnie and Clyde blew past me to welcome her, their nails clicking on the tile as they pranced around her legs.

"I didn't expect you to be awake yet," I said to her. "I hope you had fun with Colin last night."

Sylvie grinned like a maniac as she offered the dogs a friendly greeting. "Holy shit, did I ever. I'll be walking bowlegged for at least two days."

Although I felt a pang of jealousy over Sylvie's enthusiastic report, I was happy for her. "I guess I'll have to get the details over coffee."

Sylvie changed her clothes, and as we rode the elevator down, I sent Vincent a text.

Going for coffee.

I left the message vague on purpose. He had pissed me off with his cold shoulder. If we were going to enjoy a pleasant boy/girl relationship, he needed to stop behaving like a pouty teenager every time he got rattled. Would he ever consider psychotherapy?

"So, Colin was dragged out of bed by Charleton, too?" I said as Sylvie and I joined the rush hour crowd to get our caffeine fix.

"Yes. I was a little relieved. Colin was gearing up for round five, but my body was still recovering from round four."

"Jesus, Sylvie."

Sylvie shook her head. "I know. He could outlast the Energizer bunny. How about you? Did you get any last night?"

A sighed through my nose, but I didn't think Sylvie heard it. "Not in the traditional sense. We still haven't crossed a few borders."

Sylvie looked at me like I was whacked. "Don't tell me you still haven't screwed. Even after Vincent showed up at the Halloween party to save you from Baltimore's number one asshole, and then that amazing dance? It's clear you both dig each other. What's going on, Reese?" She didn't lower her accusatory gaze even as we navigated through the maze of bodies.

Ugh. What to say? "It's complicated, but we're having fun getting there."

She scrutinized me a bit longer. "Well, I know it isn't you holding back, so it must be him. Does he have a problem with... his man parts? Does he do steroids?"

"No. That's not it. Everything appears to work just fine on his end."

"Geez. I'm sorry, Reese. I guess you picked the wrong Valentino, huh?" Sylvie nudged my arm playfully, and our conversation was thankfully cut off as we reached the door to The Roasted Bean.

Sylvie and I ordered our hipster coffees, although mine was less hipster than hers since it didn't include foam or caramel, and we found a small table next to the window to drop our butts into. As Sylvie stared at me with an inquiring gaze, I started to worry that she was seeing through my ruse, and I wondered if this was a good time to fill her in on the whole gargoyle thing.

As I worked out the best method for approaching the subject of gollums and demons and the fact that she had just been given the business by a mythical beast, Colin and Amelia passed by the window. Upon seeing us, they entered the coffee shop. I wasn't surprised in the least.

"What took you so long?" I said as I glanced at the non-existent watch on my wrist.

"I was sleeping when Vincent called me to report you missing," Amelia offered bluntly.

Sylvie didn't appear to notice Amelia's taciturn expression. She was smiling up at Colin, looking like a cheerleader with the hots for the quarterback. "You want to join us? They have delicious caramel lattes here."

"Actually, I thought you and I could take a walk," Colin said to her. "But I would love to taste whatever you have in your cup."

He winked and Sylvie grinned as she lifted out of her seat. It was then that she spared a glance for Amelia, as if her brain had finally figured out what was happening.

"I'll keep Reese company while you and Colin have your walk," Amelia said to Sylvie. "She and I have something personal to discuss. It shouldn't take too long."

Sylvie's eyebrows lifted to her frosted bangs as she looked at me.

"It's fine, Sylvie. Go share your latte with Colin." I waved at the door, letting her know I was cool, although my stomach was prepping for whatever drama Amelia had in store for me.

"I'm sorry if we interrupted something important, Reese," Amelia said as she slipped into the chair Sylvie had abandoned. "Vincent wanted me to talk to you."

"Why didn't Vincent come himself?"

I was feeling worse by the minute. Not just because Vincent hadn't bothered to show up in person, but I didn't like the severe look on Amelia's face. She and Vincent both seemed to be skilled at it.

"He had some pressing matters to take care of, but he didn't want you wandering the streets of New York City alone."

Of course, he didn't.

"So, is this how it's going to be as long as I'm with him? Will I never be allowed out of the apartment without an escort?"

"Not forever. You need to learn how to defend yourself first."

"As in, defend myself against demons?"

"Yes."

"But, I don't have to worry about Heath and his henchmen anymore."

Amelia pursed her lips and appeared contemplative for a moment. She was probably under a gag order like the rest of them. "You are a gollum, Reese. It is in our nature to battle demons. Just like it is in a demon's nature to battle gollums. You would not last five seconds against a demon in his winged form."

"When was the last time you battled a demon, Amelia?"

Her face hardened, and I had to wait a good minute for her to answer. Geez. Why was it so difficult to have a conversation with these Valentinos? "Thirteen years ago, when I found out I was pregnant with Griffin."

"Did you enjoy it? The battle."

A small smile picked up the corners of Amelia's lips. "I loved it. The adrenaline rush when a gollum engages with a demon is close to euphoria. Your mind and body are synchronized for one purpose alone, to rid the planet of evil. There is no other feeling like it, except maybe sex. My sister, Claudette, is still holding out so she doesn't have to start popping out kids."

So, that's why Claudette and Colin have a relationship nobody can figure out. She chose the battle over babies. And, apparently Vincent received the same treatment. Or was it Vincent who rebuked her?

"Will you ever do battle again?" I asked.

"Yes, when Griffin turns sixteen. If anything were to happen to her before then, I would be the only female young enough to carry the burden of nurturing another progeny."

"How old are you, Amelia?"

"Forty-one."

Her age surprised me. She didn't look a day over thirty, and this prompted a question that was already in the queue, a question I had wanted to ask since the night of the All Hallow's Eve party. "Do you feel responsible for the lack of progeny in the Valentino domus?"

Amelia stiffened in her seat, but I didn't have to wait long for an answer. "Of course, I do. Jonathan has held up his end of our commitment. He loves me with all his heart, but the feelings have to be mutual for a gollum couple to conceive." Her face fell, and she glanced behind her, as if she thought Jonathan might be standing behind her.

I felt Amelia's sadness across the table, and I reached my hand out to touch her arm. She flinched and looked at me apprehensively, like she wasn't sure I could be trusted. "I'm sorry, Amelia. Is there nothing you can do? Can you find another mate? Someone who sparks your interest more?"

"I would never do that to Jonathan. It would break him. I do love him, don't get me wrong, but the spark you speak of... It's just not there anymore."

"Surely, he must sense your feelings for him have changed. Would he do it for the benefit of the domus? If you found someone you were truly compatible with..."

"No, Reese. I do not have that kind of connection with Colin or Vincent, and if I were to find a mate in another domus, I would have to join them, which is not an option as far as I'm concerned. I have spent far too many years with the Valentinos. My allegiances are set."

"The rules of the gollum families seem very rigid," I offered. "Surely, there are ways to get around them to help the families thrive."

Amelia snorted. "If you think of any, let me know." Her phone buzzed and she answered the call as soon as she looked at the screen. "I found her. We're at The Roasted Bean. You already said that. I'm not an imbecile, Vincent." She hung up the phone, looking annoyed. Then her face softened when she caught my eye. "Reese, I need to take you home."

I released a long breath, not caring whether Amelia heard it. I didn't relish facing Vincent in the mood he was in, but I needed to ask him when my ass-kicking training could start. This escort bullshit had to stop. "Fine. I have a few issues to bring up with Vincent."

Amelia sucked in a harsh breath, and she forced the next few words past her tight lips. "Actually, I'm taking you to your apartment. Your belongings are already packed in the car."

Suddenly, the floor felt like it was sliding out from under my chair, and I grabbed onto the edge of my seat for support. While I hadn't come to terms with my new life and the gargoyles I shared it with, I hadn't expected to be kicked out of their home. "Why? I thought my safety was... I don't understand."

"I'm sorry, Reese. I can't tell you why, but a situation has come up and Vincent wants you to stay at your place for a while. You will have around-the-clock protection, of course. It's just best you aren't in close proximity to the domus... for now."

I stared at my coffee before taking a long, tongue-searing drink. Then I stood numbly while my mind played with a million scenarios. Did they find out I wasn't the gollum they thought I was? Were Vincent's feelings for me based solely on this belief? Could he really turn them off that easily? What a fucking jerk.

We met Sylvie and Colin outside the coffee shop, and everyone walked back to Twenty Exchange Place like everything was right with the world. Of course, Sylvie wasn't fooled, and we waited at the curb together while Amelia fetched the Escalade and Colin retrieved Sylvie's Subaru.

"I'll follow you to your apartment in my car," Sylvie said as she wrapped her arm around my shoulder. "I can tell you need to talk."

"Well, I don't have much to tell you. I'm about as clueless as you are, right now."

"What did Amelia say?"

"Nothing. That's just the point. She has been instructed not to reveal anything useful. Vincent has them all under a gag order."

"That sucks. What's up with Vincent? I'm starting to think he might not be right for you."

I had nothing to add to that, and I let her question die as the Escalade and Subaru pulled up in front of us. We both climbed into our respective vehicles, and I stared out the passenger window as Amelia navigated into early morning traffic.

For her part, Amelia seemed upset about having to be the one to deliver the blow, which made me feel a little better, and when we arrived at my apartment, she insisted I stay a minute so she could say her piece.

"I'm sorry, Reese. I'm breaking Vincent's trust by saying this, but he's completely torn up about the situation. He has never let himself get this close to anyone. He cares deeply about you."

"Then why is he pushing me away? He's about as predictable as a tornado." I tried to keep my temper in check. I didn't want to lose it in front of Amelia, but I could tell I was damn close.

"I've already said too much. Just be patient and don't do anything rash, like run off. We all care about you. We want to make sure you stay safe until this thing blows over. Colin is going to contact you and arrange some lessons in self-defense. Oh, and don't call Vincent. He said it would be too painful to hear your voice."

Amelia pressed her lips together and stared straight ahead, effectively cutting off the conversation. All I could do was grab my duffel and step out of the car. Colin and Sylvie stood on the curb, engaging in a kiss that should have been done in the privacy of a bedroom, but Sylvie appeared to be enjoying it, so I waited patiently as my heart shattered into tiny pieces.

It felt strange walking up to my apartment. In fact, the only solace came when I knocked on Mr. Pearlman's door, and I stood on the landing listening to the television blare while the smell of a recently lit cigarette wafted through the crack at my feet.

"Hey, Mr. Pearlman. I'm home."

I heard him cough before he called out. "It's about time. I'm almost out of cigarettes."

PLAYLIST SONG: Fugitive Motel by Elbow