Cain refrained from rolling his eyes and instead walked down the steps to greet his visitors.

The door to the passenger area behind the driver’s cab opened and Gabriel stepped out. He turned immediately to gallantly help his wife, Maya, out of the car. Cain had to smile. Gabriel was an old-fashioned kind of guy and a gentle soul, despite the hard exterior he displayed.

When he turned back, Cain had no problem making out the large scar that marred Gabriel’s face, reaching from the top of his left ear to his chin. It lent him a dangerous air, and in his job as the second-in-command at Scanguards, it came in handy. He was both feared by his enemies and revered by his colleagues and subordinates—and sometimes also feared by them.

The dark beauty by his side was something special. A doctor in her human life, she’d been turned into a vampire against her will, but had found true love with Gabriel. The blood-bonded pair was utterly devoted to each other. It was therefore not a surprise that Maya hadn’t flown out to New Orleans on her own, but had brought her husband along for company. Though Cain suspected that Gabriel was here for a different reason: to protect the woman he couldn’t live without.

“Gabriel, Maya, I’m so glad you came,” Cain greeted them now and shook their hands.

Any other woman he would have given a hug to say hello, but he knew Gabriel’s sentiments about his wife being touched by other men, and finally Cain understood the feeling. He felt the same about Faye.

“So this is your place,” Gabriel replied and cast an admiring look at the enormous property. “Who would have thought?”

“Everybody sends their love and congratulations,” Maya added with a smile. “They’re all very happy for you.”

“Thank you.” Cain’s gaze drifted to Blake, who was getting out of the car. “Blake, would you get their luggage, please? I had a guest room on the second floor prepared for them.”

Blake nodded and walked to the back of the limousine, opening the trunk, while Cain motioned to the front door. “Shall we?”

“Have you settled in?” Gabriel asked, sidling up to him.

Cain shrugged. “As much as I can. It’s an adjustment.”

“I bet,” Maya commented, walking hand in hand with Gabriel. “But I’m sure you’ll manage.” She paused for a moment before changing the subject. “I’m anxious to see my patients. Are they in the house?”

“I put them up in one of the cottages on the property. They are somewhat frightened and I thought it would be best if they had a place by themselves. Particularly the girl is scared out of her wits.”

“Pain will do that to a person,” Maya agreed as they crossed the foyer and walked toward Cain’s office. “I did a little research on the practice of defanging a vampire.”

Cain looked at her from the side, curious. “And?”

“It’s been employed sporadically over the centuries, but lately the practice has been largely banned. It’s considered cruel and unusual punishment.”

“Well, it hasn’t stopped the Mississippi clan from using it on those two unfortunates.” Cain entered his office and motioned Gabriel and Maya to take a seat on the couch. He took the armchair opposite them.

“What do you know about that clan?” Gabriel asked.

“Precious little. My understanding is that we’ve been at war with them for decades over border disputes, but that they’re seeking a peace agreement. I’m afraid I can’t see how making peace with a clan that treats its own people so cruelly is in the interest of my kingdom.” Calling it his kingdom still sounded foreign in his ears. “Wouldn’t it mean I condone what they’re doing?”

Gabriel contemplated his answer before he spoke. “Maybe it could become part of the peace negotiations. You’ll make peace with them if they abandon certain practices.”

“Sure, but who’s going to enforce those rules? The only reason we know about their crimes is because those two vampires managed to escape and survive long enough to find shelter with us. Had Faye not tended to them and given them what they needed, they might have perished and we’d never be the wiser.”

Maya smiled at him. “And how is Faye? I can’t wait to meet her.”

“She’s charming.” More than that, Faye was everything he’d ever dreamed of and more. Every minute he spent with her made him want her more. And what she’d done to him in the shower the previous night had been out of this world. To feel her mouth on him had been more than amazing, it had been mind blowing.