“Holy shit,” Charley breathed. She had no idea what that watch magic was all about, but one thing had just become painfully clear.
Her uncle wasn’t justworkingfor the demons. Hewasa fucking demon.
“Language, Charlotte. Honestly.” Rudy rolled his now-human eyes. Then, nodding at the other man, “Do it.”
Before Charley had time to wonder what “it” meant, the dude released her hair and gripped her shoulders.
“You didn’t see anything strange,” he said smoothly, staring deep into her eyes. “Just your uncle Rudy and his associate, here for a little chat.”
An uncomfortable pressure built up inside her head, as if some invisible force was trying to push its way in.
Vampire,her intuition whispered.He’s trying to compel you, girl.
“Everything is fine,” the man said. “You’re going to calm down, and you’re going to answer our questions.”
Charley forced herself to relax beneath his touch. She knew, thanks to Dorian, she couldn’t be compelled. He’d said it was one of her many mysteries.
Right now, trapped in a limo with her demonic uncle and his crazy vampire sidekick, it was also her only advantage.
“I saw my uncle Rudy,” she said, keeping her voice calm and steady. She looked at him with wide, dreamy eyes, willing her heart rate to slow down.
Answers,she told herself.They only want answers.
“Who is Dorian Redthorne?” the man asked her.
“He’s our mark,” she said evenly. “The CEO of FierceConnect. Owner of Ravenswood in Annandale-on-Hudson.”
“Is Dorian aware of your uncle’s plans?”
“No. He thinks I’m in love with him. He’s taking me to Hawaii. The heist can proceed as planned.”
“Ask her about the sculpture,” Rudy said, seemingly satisfied with her bullshit answers. “Ask her why it wasn’t on the list.”
Charley’s chest tightened. A sculpture not on the list?
Had they found out she’d lied about the Hermes?
“Have you ever seen a sculpture at Ravenswood called Mother of Lost Souls?” the vampire asked. “It’s a fertility goddess statue.”
Charley wanted to cry with relief. At last—a question she didn’t have to lie about. “I’m familiar with the piece, but I’ve never seen it there, and Dorian has never mentioned it.”
“Fuck.” Rudy tensed beside her. “Ask her again, Silas.”
Silas.Charley made a mental note of the name. She wondered if he was from House Duchanes, or some other despicable family Dorian would be burning to the ground later.
Dorian.Wherewashe? He should’ve been done with those other vamps by now.
A new worry worked its way into her chest, but Charley pushed it aside, forcing herself to stay focused. She couldn’t lose her shit now. She needed these assholes to believe they had the upper hand.
The vampire tightened his grip on her shoulders. “Think very carefully, Charlotte. Mother of Souls. It’s a statue of a pregnant woman with the head of a demon.”
Charley shook her head. “It’s not there. Like I said, I know the piece. I would’ve remembered seeing it.”
Finally, the asshole released her.
Charley wasn’t sure how long compulsion was supposed to last, so as she turned back toward her uncle, she did her best to appear a little dazed.
“Rudy?” she asked, blinking fast. “What’s… why are you here? Little late for a cappuccino, don’t you think?”
