Isabelle glanced at Aiden, worry creasing her brow. “We weren’t suggesting—”
“Understand something—both of you.” Dorian jabbed a finger toward the second story of the manor. “That woman sleeping off a possible head injury in my bed? She iseverythingto me. If she’s in danger, I’ll stop atnothingto obliterate it—including finding a way to break an allegedly unbreakable demonic bind. But I willnotbring her further harm by blundering my way through an interrogation that even a simpleton could handle. We need to know about Rogozin’s plans, including the extent of Rudy’s involvement and where they might be keeping Sasha. Absent a better idea, torturing a few useless demons is the fastest and most reliable route. If either of you find such methods unsuitable, I’ll invite you to keep your commentary to yourselves and leave me to my work.”
“You’ll have to excuse him,” Aiden said to Isabelle. “You’d think after all these centuries living among mortals, he’d be more of a people person by now, and yet…”
“I’m not aperson, Aiden. I’m a vampire, and I’ve got important business to attend to. So if you’ll excuse me—”
“You need me,” Isabelle said. “I can subdue the demons and prevent them from casting hellfire. And when you’re finished with the questioning, I can eliminate them before they reveal your actions to Rogozin.”
“Banishment?” Dorian narrowed his eyes. Banishing demons was an extremely particular skill set—one most upstanding witches avoided. “I thought your gift was empathic magic.”
“And I thought you were a people person. Seems we’ve both misjudged.” She flashed a quick smile, breaking some of the tension. Then, sobering again, “I walk the dark path on occasion, Dorian. Doing so allows me to appreciate the light all the more.”
“What I’m about to do is a direct violation of the Shadow Accords, not to mention an invitation to more bloodshed. Risking my own head is one thing, but I can’t ask you to—”
“You’re not asking. I’m offering,” Isabelle said. “Besides, demon blood is almost as useful to me as yours. I could stand to restock.”
“Restock. Right.” Dorian folded his arms across his chest, scrutinizing her face for the lie. “Why are you doing this? And don’t tell me it’s got anything to do with your dwindling supplies, or even upholding your father’s wishes for Armitage Holdings.”
“I told you last night,” she said. “When it comes to family obligations, there’s a thin line between duty and imprisonment. Let’s just say I’m ready to redraw that line for myself.”
“Meaning?”
She held his gaze for another beat, assessing him as plainly as he’d been assessing her.
“I’m tired of wasting my considerable talents managing my brothers’ affairs,” she finally said, “and I’ve no interest in freelancing. For years, I’ve been searching for a vampire partnership that will grant me the freedom to explore a… Let’s call it a non-traditional course.” She met his gaze, her eyes fierce and formidable in the firelight. “My intuition tells me House Redthorne is not only tolerant of such an approach, but in desperate need of it.”
Dorian couldn’t argue with that. “I appreciate the honesty.”
“That’s all you’ll ever get from me, Dorian. If you’re looking for someone to pour sugar over shit and call it a cupcake, I’m afraid this is where we part ways.”
Dorian almost laughed, but Isabelle was dead serious.
He looked at her with new eyes, his respect and appreciation growing. There were few people he trusted in this world, but Isabelle Armitage was quickly becoming one of them.
“Very well,” he finally said. “Gather your things and wait for me in the garage. I need a moment with Aiden.”
Isabelle nodded, then headed back into the house.
Next to him, Aiden had his phone out, thumbs flying across the screen.
“Who are you texting?” Dorian asked.
“Gabriel. You need backup on this.”
“You don’t trust Isabelle?”
“Listen, Dori. Any woman who can put you in your place like that is a bloody godsend. But if she’s busy muting and banishing demons, you’ll need someone to pass you the fire poker.”
“The… what?”
“Honestly. Did they teach you nothing at royal vampire school?” Aiden rolled his eyes. “Shoving a hot poker up a demon’s ass is a two-man job.”
“Thank you, as ever, for the visual. But Gabriel isn’t…” Dorian crouched down to retrieve another loose piece of wood, then whipped it into the fire. “The only reason he’s even tracking Silas is that it gives him an excuse to avoid me at Ravenswood.”
“Never thought I’d say this about Gabriel, but perhaps you don’t give him enough credit.”
“He’s literally thelastvampire looking to help me. Well, second-last, if we’re counting the brother whose heart I nearly excavated.”
