“You’re probably right.” I glanced surreptitiously at Nikolas again then turned toward the couches where Nate sat talking to Roland and Peter. Roland had called his mom a few days ago, and she hadn’t been pleased with either of them. He’d had to promise her that he and Peter would go home after Christmas. I was happy to get to spend Christmas with them, and I tried not to think of them leaving.

“The tree looks nice,” Nate said when I sat beside him.

I admired the tall Christmas tree. “It’s a lot bigger than ours.” The holidays had always been quiet at our place with just the two of us, and it was strange to be spending Christmas Eve with so many people. I looked around the room and my heart swelled. Most of the people I cared about were in this room, everyone except Remy, Desmund, and Greg. At least Remy and Greg were with family. It saddened me to think of Desmund spending Christmas alone, but he had volunteered to stay behind in case there was another attack on Westhorne.

“I wonder what they’re all doing back home,” Roland said. Christmas was big in the Knolls, and many of the families there celebrated together.

“Probably eating Nan’s cookies,” Peter replied longingly.

I couldn’t help but feel a little homesick, too. “California is nothing like Maine; that’s for sure.”

Nikolas came over and sat on my other side. He reached over and took one of my hands in his as if it was something we did every day. “We’ll go back there someday when this is all over.”

I tried to ignore the warm tingle his touch sent up my arm. “If this is ever over. I guess we can assume the Master knows I’m no longer at Westhorne.”

Tristan took a seat across from us. “Judging by the reports out of Los Angeles I’d say that is a safe assumption.”

“How bad is it?” This was the first I’d heard any news about LA since I’d awakened from my week-long sleep.

“Over twenty attacks on humans in the last week that we know of,” Tristan said grimly. “The council has dispatched three teams to the area to deal with it.”

“Twenty attacks?” My stomach knotted thinking about all those poor people.

“If the vampires weren’t killing in Los Angeles, they’d be killing elsewhere,” Tristan said. “This is not your fault.”

“I wonder how they knew we were in LA.” Roland pondered. “The vampires we ran into didn’t live to tell anyone about it.”

“What vampires?” Nikolas asked in a deceptively calm voice as his fingers flexed slightly around mine.

Jordan, Roland, and Peter suddenly became mute, leaving me to explain. “We, um, might have run into a couple after we left Blue Nyx.”

Chris had been leaning against the fireplace mantle, and he straightened to stare at me. “You killed the vampires in the alley? So you were at the club that night?”

“We saw you come in with those other warriors. Eldeorin glamoured us so we could get away.” I looked at Nikolas, who was not happy. “Why weren’t you with Chris that night?”

“I was there, just a little too late by the sound of it. We got word that two girls were attacked at a hotel, and I went to check it out.” His brows lowered into a scowl. “What happened with the vampires?”

“We were driving back to the hotel when we came across three vampires attacking some people.” I waved at Roland, Peter, and Jordan. “They killed them. I didn’t even fight.”

Chris rubbed his chin. “We found the vampires, but no human bodies, just a dead mox demon.”

“That’s because they were attacking demons, not humans.”

Tristan frowned. “You rescued demons?”

“A vrell demon and his friend. They were harmless.”

Nikolas exhaled slowly. “You don’t endanger yourself for demons, no matter what kind they are.”

“Not all demons are bad, you know,” I argued. “The guy who gave me the laptop and helped me track Madeline is a vrell demon. He’s actually a very nice guy.”

Jordan spoke up. “We’ve learned that it’s easier if you don’t argue with her about this.” I glowered at her and she added, “And I guess Kelvan is cool... for a demon.”

“And the vampires?” Nikolas prodded.

Jordan dared a look at him. “They weren’t that old, no match for all of us.”

Nate spoke up. “I thought Sara didn’t fight them.”

“I didn’t go near them. I shot one with a crossbow and the boys took him out.”

Chris gave me a dubious look. “A crossbow?”

Roland barked a laugh. “Yeah. He started mouthing off to her and she shot him right between the legs.”

“Sara has wicked aim with that thing,” Jordan told Chris, who was the best archer at Westhorne. “She definitely should start training with one.”

“What happened to our weapons anyway? Did we leave them at Greg’s uncle’s place?” I asked her.

“You honestly think I’d leave that sword behind? It would take more than a few vamps to separate us.”

“What I would like to know is how vampires knew you were at that apartment in the first place,” Nikolas said. “How well do you know that human who was with you?”

“Dude, don’t even go there,” Roland warned him.

“Greg is one of my closest friends from high school, and he would never do anything to hurt me.” I tried to pull my hand away, but Nikolas refused to let it go.