Chapter 327: Chapter 327

I Lanie | was going to like Delilah a lot, which was a relief.

In the short hour we’d spent together, she’d been so cheerful and helpful that | couldn’t help but feel like all of this was going to be okay.

“Of course, it will,” Delilah said with a look of surprise when | said that out loud. She tilted her head to look. at me with wide eyes.

Her irises were fully black with a red ring around them, which I'd found startling at first, but she’d explained that it wasn’t something every vampire had.

It was a sign of her empathic abilities, which went beyond being able to compel someone, a skill most vampires could easily wield.

“You are feeling so much better; | can sense it,” she added. “I didn’t want to say anything about it before, since it’s rude to talk about someone’s feelings unless they mention them first.”

“| have so. Much. To. Learn.” | emphasized each word and laughed a little. “I didn’t think it would be so tiring, either! |

communicate with my wolf all the time, and when | draw on my Luna gifts, it leaves me energized. Not drained.”

Delilah smiled. “It’s a journey, Lanie. Because you are a hybrid, you are not going to have the same reactions as a pureblood vampire. But because your bloodline comes from an Ancient...well, to be honest, | can feel a lot coming off of you. Though I’m not entirely sure what awaits you. We'll have to learn together.”

“| look forward to it.” From somewhere far off, | heard what sounded like a bell or a gong.

Delilah turned toward it. “Oh, that’s the announcement bell. It’s time for us to get ready for the big dinner tonight. Did you have any more questions before we go?”

She held up a hand before | could answer.

“Never mind,” she said. “I know you have many questions. Anything | can help you with in less than a minute?”

“Nope.” | shook my head, and we both laughed.

“Can you find your way back to your quarters?”

“| hope so. | need to start learning how, anyway. | can’t expect a tour guide every time | need to go from one place to the next.”

“If you get lost, I’m sure someone will be around to help.”

We hugged and parted ways.

I l impressed myself with how well | was able to navigate my way back to the quarters. By the time | got 01/2 “Everything okay?” | asked, concerned, as Stella ran to me right away. | smoothed a hand over her hair.

“Hello, my precious. Did you have fun today?”

“The boys aren't back yet, Gabriela said.

| frowned and bent to hug Alaina and Isaac, who'd taken a bit longer to toddle to me. | kissed and then straightened. “They’ve been gone this whole time?”

“Can you link with them? See where they are?” Her voice had an edge to it that made me feel a litt anxious.

| sent out a query through the mate link and got nothing at first. Then Xander’s voice drifted to me, very soft. | had to concentrate really hard to hear it.

“Shielding...interferes...” he thought.

| looked at her. | think he’s trying to tell me that the security shields here are blocking the mind links.”

She frowned. “I don’t like that.”

“Are wolves the only supernaturals that have mind links?” | hefted Alaina onto my hip and nodded as she babbled at me. “Yes, that sounds like so much fun.”

| kissed her chubby little cheek and squeezed her, then set her down to do the same to her twin. All three pups were vying for my attention, and it was a little overwhelming.

“Gabriela, could you take Stella and help her get a bath? I'll take care of the twins.”

“Of course | can.” She said this with more of that same edge in her tone.

It made me look up. “Everything okay?”

“Yes. Fine. They've been away from us all day, that’s all. I’m not used to it. Maybe | should stay here. tonight while you four go to the dinner.”

“You can if you want to, I’m sure, but Braden told me that they'll send someone from the school to stay with them. They’ll be in bed before we have to leave.” | studied her, sensing waves of irritation and nervousness rolling off of her, but not sure exactly why. “I think it would be good for you to go to the dinner, though. Didn’t you say you had friends here?

Did you get to spend any time with them today?”

“Oh, yes, old friends,” she said crisply. “I guess I’m not the only one who was able to spend time with people from the past today.”

Before | could ask her what she was getting at, the door flew open. Three sweaty, laughing and clearly exhausted men stumbled into the room When | looked back to check on Gabriela, she’d gone into her rooms and closed the door behind her.