Page 97 of Fang Fiction

“I think we have to talk to Nantale.”

“What?” Tess was surprised. “Why?”

“Because she’s the one who sent us on this wild-goose chase to begin with,” Callum said, his expression hard. “And we need to tell her that we’re breaking into Felix’s castle to get that diamond.”

It was common knowledge on the Isle that Felix’s clan threw a ball every full moon—and once Tess told Callum that this month’s theme was a Venetian masque, he knew it would be the perfect opportunity to slip in and steal the diamond. Callum was somewhat worried that Nantale would declare his plan too risky—after all, aside from Nantale herself, there was no one on the Isle that Felix and his clan wanted dead more than Callum Yoo. Walking directly into their stronghold could be considered suicidal, especially since Callum had every intention of protecting Tess’s life above his own (though he wouldn’t tell Nantale this). On top of all that, it was a very big risk with no certain reward: Even if they did successfully smuggle Isobel’s red diamond out of the castle, they had no way to know for sure whether the diamond would be enough to open a portal back to New York.

But it was the best—and only—idea they had. And Nantale agreed they had no choice but to try.

“I’ll come with you,” she said, surprising Callum.

“I can’t let you do that,” he replied, and she gave him a cold look.

“Callum, you don’t ‘let’ me do anything.”

“I didn’t mean it that way,” he blustered. “Look, it’s one thing if Felix kills me, but the clan won’t survive without you.”

“Besides,” Tess piped up, “the hope is that they won’t even know we’re there, right? So the fewer of us that go, the better?”

Nantale tilted her head and appraised Tess. “Fine. You two will go, Sylvie will prepare you a dress. And if you are able to retrieve the diamond, I will consider that the fulfillment of your service to my clan. Even if we cannot use the diamond to create a portal, I will still send a party to take you back to Bar Between so you can return home.”

“Actually…” Callum said nervously. “I guess I should have told you this sooner, but what with one thing and another…someone set off an explosion at the foot of the crystal bridge. So there’s no way for Tess to leave the Isle without a portal.”

Callum searched Nantale’s face for a reaction—shock at the news? Anger at Callum for withholding it? But she remained as unreadable and impassive as ever.

“Well then.” She folded her arms. “I suppose you two had better get that diamond.”

After that, Tess went to meet with Sylvie to figure out what to wear to the ball, and Callum and Nantale talked through every detail of his plan. Tess would flirt with Felix and try to find out where Isobel’s room was, then get away from him as quickly as possible to relay the information to Callum. Callum and Tess would sneak out of the party and go to the room together, counting on the drunken revelry as distraction to give them cover. And if they were found out…Callum was a hell of a fighter. He’d do everything he could to get Tess to safety.

He just wished he had more time with Tess before they embarked on a mission that could cost either of them their lives.

She came to his rooms as darkness was falling, by which time he was in bed poring over her copy of Blood Feud.

“Hey,” she said, pushing open the door to his bedroom. “Still reading that?”

“Seeing if I can find anything about Felix’s castle. But this damn Lirio only wants to write about how good I am in bed.”

“People need to know that.” Tess climbed into bed beside him, kissing him gently.

“So you don’t think Lirio oversold my prowess?” He pulled her into his lap.

“Mmm, I don’t have enough information,” she said. “Maybe if you give me a few more data points.”

He laughed—but it caught in his chest.

“Are you okay?” she asked, rubbing his shoulder.

“I don’t want this to be our last night together,” he said softly.

“You’re really worried about tomorrow, huh?”

“Maybe we just skip it.” He sighed. “Stay here where it’s safe and we’re together.”

“Glamour ourselves a little cottage in the north, hide out from all the vampires who want to drink my blood?” she suggested.

“I’ll spend my nights hunting and my days giving you more data points than you could ever need.”

“That sounds nice,” Tess said, running her fingers through his hair. He loved the feeling of her nails gently dragging over his scalp; he closed his eyes at the pleasure of it.