Chapter 699

• Caleb swallowed back his wine and poured another glass, replenishing Demetri's at the same time. "I'm going to call him shortly. There hasn't been any time yet. I wanted to speak to you first." His expression when troubled when he met his friend's intent gaze. "I'm between a rock and hard place here, Demetri. My gut reaction is to send you and some others across to Europe to find out what happened but I can't afford to lose any more key personnel when we still don't know what we're dealing with there. If I don't send someone then Annie's going to insist that she goes and I can't let that happen."
• "She'll invoke the vampire Queen to overrule you," Demetri growled, displeasure crossing his face at the thought. "You won't be able to argue with her. "
• "Agreed," Caleb sighed, weary resignation crossing his face. "Callain will though, so if it comes to that I'm going to have no choice but to let those two fight it out and hope he has enough influence over Anakatrine to make her see sense. I can't lose Annie, Demetri. I will do whatever I must to ensure that doesn't happen."