I grit my teeth but don’t complain—even though I feel like a rabbit dumped into a cage with ravenous wolves.
Oh, the irony.
“He’s Gregor’s boy, isn’t he?” The tallest vampire takes a sip from a champagne flute, his red eyes intent on mine over the rim.
Edward, I believe his name is.
The leader.
Whispers ripple through the room, and the brunette from before hisses in our direction.
“You brought a Councilmember’s son here? Are you fucking insane?”
“Relax.” Kain doesn’t seem at all perturbed by the glares hurled his way as he moves closer to Edward. “He’s on our side.”
One of Edward’s brows quirks upwards. “Oh, is he?”
He gives me a pointed look, and I know Kain won’t be able to answer for me this time around.
Play this carefully, Ashton,I tell myself, taking a breath.
“Hunters attacked the shifters,” I say carefully, the lie burning the tip of my tongue. “They need to be eradicated.”
It’s hard to say those words, knowing what I do. But the last thing I want is for the vampires to realize I’m onto them.We’reonto them.
Kain gives me a curious look but doesn’t contradict my claim. He probably thinks I’m lying to get the vampires to help us take down the Hunters, even though that’s the last thing on my mind.
“You’re speaking of an alliance?” Edward’s eyes glimmer with a thousand secrets—ones I can’t even begin to dissect.
“Are you even authorized to do so?” a man with dark skin interjects, frowning.
“I guess we’ll find out,” I say with a shrug.
The memory shifts again.
We stand outside the hotel an hour later—an hour full of angry vampires, a smug Edward, and a satisfied Kain.
“If the vampires and shifters work together, we might be able to annihilate the Hunters for good. Maybe even the witches,” Kain says, a wicked smile unfurling on his lips.
I half expect him to rub his hands together like a stereotypical movie villain.
“I would be surprised if the vampires accept the deal, considering they believe the shifters are behind a recent attack on them.” I slide my gaze to Kain, keeping my expression impassive. “But then again, you knew that.”
Kain doesn’t even bother to deny it.
“I think I’ve proven myself to you already.” I straighten the sleeves of my jacket, trying to ignore the erratic thumping of my heart. “Isn’t it time I meet the mastermind behind all of this?”
Kain stares at me intensely…then breaks into raucous laughter. He actually throws his head back and slaps his knee.
I watch him dispassionately, not allowing a single crack to appear on my face.
“Do you think I’m an idiot?” Kain wipes tears from his eyes as he struggles to get his laughter under control. “I know you’re just using me to get information, and honestly? I’m okay with it. It got me out of that damn cell, for one, and hopefully the vampires will join our side thanks to you.”
Unease gnaws at my stomach lining.
“You still don’t trust me.” I don’t phrase it as a question.
“You want my trust?” Kain straightens from his slightly crouched position and levels me with a penetrating stare. “Prove yourself.”
