She nodded and shot a look at her family on the couch. “If I help you find this weapon, you must do something for me.”
“What?” I asked, not wanting to agree to more than I was willing.
“Youcannot wield the blade.” Echo then jerked her head toward Miranda, who stood up from feeding the rabbits. She brushed off the crumbs and fur on her shirt and pants. “Sheis the only one allowed to hold it.”
Miranda stilled. “Why me?”
Echo squinted at my friend. “You are not an immortal. The coming war is dangerous, and it could be catastrophic. You are mortal, and you have faced combat. You understand the weight of what it means to wield a weapon. The cost that comes when you choose to use it, and when you don’t. You will bring balance.”
I turned to Miranda and waited for her answer. It wasn’t my decision. She had to accept the responsibility of carrying a weapon that could destroy an immortal god. What Echo said made sense.
Finally, Miranda nodded in agreement.
Relief made my shoulders sag. I hated to put this burden on Miranda. Maybe this was how Grim felt when he talked about dragging me into godly problems and putting me in danger. But I was a big girl and I couldn’t walk away from what was happening. My bottomless curiosity and need to know more drove me deeper into the world I now belonged to as a vampire. Miranda had also seen behind the curtain and her sense of duty wouldn’t let her walk away. I had to respect her choice, even if part of me regretted getting her in deeper.
“Now where to start?” Echo hummed more to herself.
“I may have an idea about that,” I said. “Let’s just say I’ve been in one too many cat fights lately.”
10
Grim
The candles flickered on the table. Racks of wine bottles ran up the walls of the private dining room. It was my finest restaurant and staffed the Strip’s most coveted pastry chef. Tonight would provide a safe respite from the brewing trouble.
But Vivien was late. Again.
I’d grown used to it, but after last night, I was anxious to have her with me. I needed to feel the cool of her skin and then experience it warm as she drank deeply from me. The need to sink deep into her until she surrounded me and fell apart under my hands, gripped me. My hand raked through my hair as I paced the room, growing more frustrated with each passing moment. I loosened my tie, but it did nothing to ease the tension inside me.
For the hundredth time, I checked my phone. She already texted she would be late, so there was no reason to text or call her again.
Perhaps we’d forgo the meal, but order dessert, something with cream or chocolate. Perhaps I’d eat it off her stomach and then mingle it in with the sweetness between her legs. The mere thought of dipping my tongue inside her, lapping her up, heated my body with need.
“Pardon, sir,” a waiter said, walking in with a tray.
I actually jolted. I never reacted like that. Before her, I was never surprised. What was Vivien doing to me? And why did I both adore and fear the effect she had on me?
“The chef asked me to deliver this to you. Something for while you wait.” He set it on the table. Lifting the lid, he revealed a pile of wontons. The smell of fried dough filled the private room.
“Thank you.” I nodded, then the waiter disappeared.
I shed my jacket, placed it on the back of my chair, and rolled up my sleeves. I removed the tie too and unfastened the top few buttons. It helped a little, though my skin still felt too tight.
My mouth already watered from the fantasies of eating Vivien up. So I was grateful for a distraction. The savory pastry held a hint of cinnamon. I popped another wonton almost as soon as I finished the first.
I reassured myself she’d be here any moment.
11
Vivien
Grim was going to kill me. I was over two hours late, and as much as he put up with my tardiness, I knew he hated it.
After finishing up with Echo, I rushed back to the apartment to change. I donned a long, form-fitting black dress with slits that traveled up all the way to my hips. To keep the skirts from flapping open in the wind, three bands of rhinestones lay across my upper thighs, holding the sucker together.
I’d been reserving this one for a special occasion, and today was definitely cause for celebration. And even if Grim was super upset with me, he’d come down pretty quick when I shared what I’d been up to.
The walk to the restaurant, Scales, dragged on. My excitement made me want to blur through Sinopolis until I got to Grim’s side. But seeing as I didn’t want to freak out all the normal people, I kept a human pace.
