No.Muriel pushed the thought away. She wasn't ready for that either. She couldn't afford to let sympathy for Brandon or doubts about her father's story soften her anger. That anger was the only thing keeping her upright right now.
She needed information. Real, factual, unbiased information about mate bonds. How they formed, what they meant, whether they could be broken. She needed to understand what had been done to her before she could decide what to do about it.
And she needed space from Brandon to figure it out. The bond between them hummed with his emotions—guilt and grief and desperate need. It pulled at her, urging her to go to him, comfort him, make things right.
How could she trust any impulse when she didn't know which ones were hers?
Muriel stood, moving to the window. Dawn was still hours away, but the vampires would be awake. And Armand's library...
Brandon had said Armand was a scholar of ancient magic. If anyone had information about mate bonds—real information, not folklore or romance—it would be him.
And Ana would be there. Ryssa. Maybe even Tedi.Women who understood what it meant to be bound to powerful supernatural beings. Women who might understand what she was going through.
The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea. The Masterson estate was safe, protected by vampire guards and ancient wards. Brandon had said as much when they'd visited. She could stay there while she researched and processed and figured out what came next.
Before she could second-guess herself, Muriel pulled her phone from the nightstand and opened her messages.
Muriel: Ana, I know it's late. I'm sorry. Are you awake?
The response came almost immediately.
Ana: I’m married to a vampireWhat's wrong?
Muriel's fingers trembled as she typed.
Muriel:I have a huge favor to ask. Can I come to the estate? It’s important. I need to understand some things.
Three dots appeared, disappeared, appeared again.
Ana:Alone?
Muriel:Yes.
Ana:Of course. Come now. I'll send Zarek for you. Bring whatever you need to stay as long as you like.
Relief flooded through her so intense it made her dizzy.
Muriel:Thank you.
Muriel set down the phone and started packing.Clothes, toiletries, her mother's amber necklace. TheCodexwent into her satchel.
She was zipping her bag when she heard Brandon entering the apartment.
She opened the door but kept her hand on the frame, creating a barrier between them. Brandon looked as wrecked as she felt. He paused when he saw her, his eyes latching on her bag.
“I'm going to the Masterson estate,” she said before he could speak. “I need space. I need to understand what this bond means before I can—” Her voice caught. “Before I can figure out what comes next.”
Pain flashed across his face, but he nodded. “I understand. I know you don't want to hear this right now, but you need to be careful. The Collectors are still?—”
“I know.” She cut him off, not unkindly. “But the Masterson estate is safe. You said so yourself.”
“Yes. You'll be safe there.” He stepped back, giving her room. “I'll strengthen the wards here too. Just in case you want to come back.”
“I need you to promise me something,” Muriel said. “Don’t follow me to the estate. Give me time and space to figure this out. Can you do that?”
Every line of his body radiated refusal. “I can’t promise that. Armand and I are working together on this. But I will promise not to bother you while I’m there. If that’s what you really want.”
“It is.” He looked so miserable, she had anoverwhelming urge to reach out to touch his hand and offer some small comfort. But she caught herself.