POV: Isla Reid
Location: Whitechapel Shelter
Time: Same Week
The vampire arrives at my shelter in the middle of the day. That's unusual. Most vampires avoid daylight even though it doesn't kill them. Weakens them but doesn't destroy them.
This one is strong enough not to care. Ancient. Four or five hundred years old based on the power radiating off him.
Sophie intercepts him at the door. "Can I help you?"
"I'm here to see Isla Reid. Tell her Lord Ashford requests meeting."
Lord Ashford. That's a Parliament name. One of the five who run the Crimson Parliament.
This is either very good or very bad. Parliament doesn't visit Rookeries shelters for social calls.
I come to the door. "Lord Ashford. I'm Isla Reid. What can I do for you?"
"May we speak privately?" His voice is cultured, a
