He shrugged. “I didn’t kill her, did I?”
“Because I intervened.” Myrtha raised her chin. “I saw Logan going out and followed him because I feared he might hurt a woman. And I was right.”
I glanced at our reflections in the windowpane. Mine was well defined, but his was broken and blurred.
“You’re turning into a rogue.”
“Don’t start.” He sounded bored. “Nothing happened, and I stopped on my own. Myrtha is overreacting as usual.”
“I don’t hurt the people I feed from.”
“We all know how controlled you are.” He offered me a mocking bow before starting to walk away.
And my anger burst. I rushed past Myrtha and blocked his path, careful not to touch him.
“Don’t turn your back on me.” My power roared to life, deepening my voice.
My sight and smell sharpened.
He groaned, and black spilt into his eyes.
“This is a final warning.” I was aware of Irene’s pulse changing its rhythm. “If you don’t control yourself, I’ll put you down.”
Myrtha nodded her approval. “I’ll be happy to do that.”
Logan stood uncomfortably close. “You may control your thirst, but your control over the Dark Court is slipping away. Be careful before you find yourself in the middle of a riot or with a stake in your chest.”
“You’re still sour because I’m the duke.”
“You aren’t the duke.” He snarled. “You’re a vulgar street thug just turned into a vampire. I’ve been a vampire for a century. My father was a duke, and now I’m supposed to follow a common thief!”
It took all my energy not to step away from him. He wasn’t touching me, but the closeness triggered my pain and disgust.
Sweat dampened the back of my neck. “You’re free to go. Oh right. You can’t. You have nowhere to go, no money, and no protection.”
Logan was too proud of his noble lineage to work or live without servants. Besides, I wouldn’t let a dangerous vampire loose on the streets. If he wanted to leave, I wouldn’t let him.
Irene stood next to me. Her blood teased me as if to test my infamous control.
Logan put some distance between us. “The chosen one. I wonder what her blood tastes like. It has to be delicious if the mighty duke turned you into his slave. When he grows tired of you, I’ll take my fill.”
Myrtha showed her rage by bursting with light.
My fangs lengthened further. If I couldn’t give Irene physical comfort, then I would protect her from thugs like Logan.
“I’ve already given you a warning. Don’t make me regret my generosity.” I would ask Darius to prevent Logan from leaving the mansion. He would feed indoors until I made sure he wasn’t a danger to humans.
His gaze was locked on me. He opened his mouth, but I cut him off.
“If you have any common sense, you’ll shut up.”
Shaking with rage, he thudded up the stairs.
Myrtha regarded me with approval. “Thank you, Ravenhill.” She left with her chin up and a soft glow around her.
I withdrew my power, not to show Irene my fangs and obsidian eyes. “I’m sorry you had to watch this.”
What I wanted to say was that I hoped she wasn’t more frightened of me.
