“No, I don’t see. What the hell has—”
“Cally is of my blood, as are they all—at least to some degree. And you, of course. So, when you found one, you would not be able to resist. You would be drawn.Comme ça.” She arched a brow at him. “Did Cally’s allure not call to you? Her blood not more potent, even from the first taste? All I needed to do was wait until one crossed your path. Your Cally is not as unique as you might think.”
Despite himself, Antoine believed her. Which meant Nico hadn’t killed Cally’s mother after all.But how can I ever tell her? She’d challenge Belle, and be destroyed.
“You set this all up merely so I would bond a witch?”
“As I have said.”
“But why?”
“I told you. So you would grow stronger, more rapidly, and become my equal.” She gave him a smile, without any of the mischievous malice he usually associated with such an expression. “Soon, you and I will be together again, but this time, a match of equals. No one would stand before us,mon amour.”
She was insane.That was the truth of it. Infatuated, obsessed, and entirely insane.
Yet no more than any other vampire I’ve known.
“It was a… bold play,” he said carefully, wondering even now how much stronger than he she still was. What would she do when he refused her? Whatever it was, could he stop her?
“Merci,” she said, clearly flattered. “And now, you will return to Paris with me. Bring your witch. We will make a family of it.”
“Tempting…”Not.“…but I need time to think on it.”
“In truth, I expected you would. No matter, I will stay until you are ready to come back with me.” She cocked an eyebrow. “How do you feel when Cally—”
She broke off and Antoine heard footsteps on the stairs. The door opened and Eve walked in, dressed in a pair of black pajamas with silver unicorns and a pair of fluffy slippers. She stopped abruptly, eyes darting between the two of them. “I’m sorry, I… heard voices.”
“Not Cally, and not a thrall, either.” Belle rose from her chair with the grace of a panther. “Are you collecting pretty girls?”
Antoine stood too, ready to intercept if it were needed.
“I’m just staying here.” Eve answered first, even as she took a half-pace backward toward the open door. “I’m Cally’s friend, not Antoine’s.”
“How delightful,” Belle cooed. “Are you the one she was trying to protect?”
“We protect each other,” Eve said, with her usual utter lack of fear.
“Ah! You are,” Belle murmured, the tip of her tongue playing with her bottom lip. “I have been longing to meet you.”
Eve folded her arms, the act of defiance undermined slightly by the unicorns pulled tight across her chest. “Who the hell are you again?”
“Oh! Perfect!” Belle turned to Antoine. “I want one. Can I have her? Please?”
“Not this one, no,” Antoine said firmly.
“No, you most certainly can’t,” Eve added at the same time.
Belle took a pace toward her. “Oh, but I could give you so much. What would your heart desire?”
“I apologize for intruding,” Eve said to Antoine, edging warily away from Belle. “I’ll be going back up, now.”
“Sleep well,” he said, still ready to move if Belle took another step. It wasn’t just that Cally would want him to ensure her friend’s safety; Eve had grown on him.
“Wealth? Power?” Belle pressed. “No, don’t go—” She made a soft tutting noise as Eve walked out the door, closing it firmly behind her.
“Such a beautiful one. So fresh and unclaimed.” Belle shook her head in mock dismay. “Now I have yet another reason toreturn. I do declare, your house is far more fun than anywhere else.”
She pulled up her hood and swept to the door. “I would see myself out, but I know you won’t trust me to not double back and taste your delightful new guest. Alas!”
