“I assumed.”
Silence stretches between us while I force my fingers open one at a time.
“What do you know?”I ask.
“Three humans have disappeared in the last month from areas around clubs that cater to mixed supernatural clientele.Two were known donors.One was a bartender.”
My stomach turns.“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because until tonight, I didn’t have the seal.And because I was hoping I was wrong.”
“You’re never wrong.”
His mouth curves without humor.“That’s untrue, though flattering.”
“Briana needs to know.”
“Yes.”His answer surprises me enough that some of the rage stutters.
Aldron watches me.“Don’t look so shocked.I don’t make a habit of keeping victims ignorant of the monsters hunting them.”
The words scrape against my nerves.I think of Cruz upstairs, and the words he said.Keeping the truth from a wounded woman is still taking her choice.
“She is more than just a victim,” I say.
Aldron’s expression shifts.“No.She is not only a victim.But pretending she was not victimized won’t help her either.”
I look away.
The old vampire is quiet for a moment.Then he says, “You are close to the edge.”
“I’m fine.”
“I have buried men who said the same thing with more conviction.”
I snort.Aldron comes around the desk, stopping a few feet away.He doesn’t crowd me.Smart vampire.
“Your beast has chosen her,” he says.
Every muscle in my body locks.There it is.Spoken aloud.The thing I have kept clenched behind my teeth.
I meet his gaze.“Did Cruz tell you?”
“No.”
“Then how...”
“I am very old, Knox.Not blind.”
I look at the seal because it’s easier than looking at him.“She doesn’t know.”
“I assumed.”
“She is not ready.”
“Perhaps not.”
“I won’t put another chain around her throat.”
