As Emmeline had said, no vampire asked permission before using their magic. It was simply rare for a bloodsucker to have an ability so powerful that it worked without me sensing it. Though I couldn’t steal abilities from others like my grandmother could, I had the more important half of her magic. After all my slayer training, I automatically put my mental shield up to protect my mind from any tingle or tickle of a threat.
The familiar weight of the mental barrier settled into place. There was resistance on my forehead where Mathias’s gaze rested. The push of his power was strong, threatening to buckle my protection. The effort to keep him out of my head sent a dull ache through my temples.
I pushed his magic away, baring my fangs in the process. He wasn’t even working up a sweat, watching me as if I were a curiosity set up for his entertainment. When his magic returned, I shoved it back. Vampires respected the mighty, and if I could end this struggle here, perhaps he’d confuse me for a more powerful vampiress than the dhampir I was.
“Stop using your magic on me,” I said as evenly as I could. I kept his power at bay one last time as I stood and looked down my nose at him. The torchlight overhead seemed to dim in their sconces, a flicker of flamesthat danced as I pointed at him. “I am here for the same reason as every other candidate. To become queen of the House of the Sanguine.”
His brows drew together. “My information stated your gift was with water.” His voice carried the weight of a threat.
“Well, your information was wrong.” Keeping my chin high, I matched his cold tone with my own.
Silence stretched for a beat before a low chuckle slipped from him. “A rare discrepancy,” he said, his voice dropping to a low vibration. “I find I like surprises.” Reclining in his chair, fangs catching the light, he studied me with a quiet intensity. “You remind me of someone.”
A shudder of revulsion passed through me. “I am nothing like Queen?—”
I caught myself too late. My heart leapt in panic. I’d given myself away with a mere slip of the tongue.
All hints of levity fled his expression. In an instance, he was the enemy I’d been picturing this whole time, pushed too far by my reaction. He regarded me with stony blankness. “Be careful,candidate.”
I let my shield go so I didn’t strain my mind. I’d played my hand anyway. “My apologies, Lord Regent. I meant no disrespect.”
He stared at me, unblinking, for a few moments. His only motions were a subtle tilt of his head and a raise of his brows. If I had to guess, he was reading my feelings as they reappeared before him.
“It’s interesting you knew who I was referring to,” he eventually said. “Don’t die because of your own hubris. That was her great fault.”
“Do you make a habit of criticizing those you’re mourning?”By Aetherius’s light, I was dizzy. This exchange had taken more out of me than I thought.
“Be careful,” he echoed, this time with less venom. “Such matters are not up for discussion.”
“Well, this has been a rather unenlightening conversation,” I said with a slice of dignity. I needed to get out of here before I put my foot in my mouth any further.
“I disagree,” Mathias murmured.
Of course he would say that. All I’d done was pique his suspicions. I’d need to find a way to get him truly alone, to remove him before he began to piece together my inconsistencies.
“Good evening, Lord Regent.” I was so much better at killing vampires than talking to them.
“Rest up. It’ll be a while until you feel safe to sleep again.”
I stiffened but gave in to the bait. “Any more hints you’d like to provide?”
Mathias, damn him, was still perfectly at ease in his seat. “Good luck. I’d mourn if you died tomorrow.”
“Why’s that?” It couldn’t be out of any kind of attachment.
A hint of a smile curved his generous mouth. “I’d never get the opportunity to learn why you already hate me so much. If you don’t take that secret to the grave, Iwilleventually figure it out for myself.”
I scowled back at him. This lack of pretense between us could open up difficult problems in the coming days.
“Good evening, Lady Ilyana,” he added in dismissal.
I had no other reason to stay at the ball, so I simply left. Eager to put some space between me and Mathias’s knowing gaze, I went straight to my rooms.
“For Aetherius’s sake,” I muttered once I hadthe door locked behind me and the illusion of privacy. I wilted as all my lost sleep caught up with me.
I pulled off the dress and cleaned my face before lying down and staring up at the ceiling as I turned over my meager gleanings from tonight. One thing stuck out most: how Mathias had described my grandmother. Her great fault.
And instead of adapting and making a new plan, I fell asleep afraid, curled with that concept close to my heart. Hubris. Something that could run in family lines like an inherited condition. I couldn’t let it define me, even though I feared it already had.
