Page 19 of Malice

“And now,” Roger starts, “a statement from Xavier Malus.”

I look at the TV screen, watching the camera slowly pan in on Xavier. He sits there, calm and composed, looking immaculate as always with his hands loosely folded in front of him.

“Good evening,” he begins, voice smooth and steady as he stares right into the camera. It’s like he’s looking right at me, and I know other viewers feel the same. It’s intentional and part of Xavier’s charm. “I understand there is fear right now. There should be. What happened at Camp Dogwood, the attack by the Church of the New Dawn, and now what just happened at the warehouse in Charlotte were not only tragic, but deeply disturbing.”

He pauses, and I look away from the TV so I can see Roger’s expression. He doesn’t know what Xavier is going to say and I have no idea what he believes. If he’s as good of a reporter as he claims to be, he’ll keep a poker face, appearing unfazed by anything said.

“As much as I wish these were isolated incidents, I’m afraid I cannot.” He pauses again, inhaling. It’s intentional, as vampires don’t breathe. He’s doing it to appear human, to appeal to more people. Damn, Xavier is good. “They were coordinated acts, carried out with intention, planning, and a clear objective: to create fear and divide the people of our beloved city.”

I find myself holding my breath, looking back and forth between the TV and Xavier himself, leaning in and hanging on his every word.

“For years, there have been individuals—and groups—who believe coexistence between humans and supernaturals is not only impossible, but dangerous.” His voice remains calm and steady, but the smallest bit of emotion plays on his face, looking almost pained by the situation. “If there is one thing that history can teach us, it is that fear can be weaponized.” His lips pull up in a small smile and he glances at Roger. “I’ve been around long enough to see this unfold firsthand.”

A subtle reminder that Xavier is, indeed, a vampire. Yet here he is, appearing so fucking relatable.

“It saddens me to say, I recognize exactly what is happening, and that is the fear they push on us has one objective: to divide us.”

The camera switches back to Roger. “Are you suggesting these attacks were carried out by the same organization?”

Xavier’s composure is unwavering as he looks at Roger as he talks. “I am suggesting that these attacks can all be linked to one person.”

“Is that person a member of the Church of the New Dawn?”

“According to my source who is to remain anonymous,” Xavier begins, taking in another breath that causes his firm chest to rise and fall. “This person may have been a member but left the Church to form their own organization, one with even harsher views on not only supernaturals, but those who—in their terms—sympathize with them.” Without giving Roger a chance to ask another question, Xavier goes on. “Upon investigation of the incident last night, Police Chief Hughes, a body was recovered from the warehouse and identified as one of the ring leaders of this operation.”

“Are you able to share with us who this individual was?”

Xavier looks back into the camera. “Marcus Henry.”

Chapter

Eight

Aware my shock is quite apparent on my face, I turn, eyeing Devon. He has a similar holy shit look on his face and I push down my emotions and slowly let out a breath, regaining my composure. Xavier is still talking, but I’m not paying attention to the words he’s saying.

The Order is watching the Malus vampires’ every move, and Xavier just named Marcus Henry on live TV. If he’s willing to do that, there’s nothing off limits anymore when it comes to the Order.

Or the deal, which Xavier basically just revoked. While I don’t know the exact terms of the deal, I do know the basics. In exchange for a female hunter, the Malus family was to leave the Order and all its members alone. I always assumed that meant they couldn’t kill them, but I suppose outing one of the highest ranking members and blaming several unrelated incidents on him technically isn’t leaving them “alone” either.

The news segment ends, and Roger says something about another reporter at the police station, where the police chief is going to give an update to the investigation. Then the cameras stop rolling and I blink myself back to the present, watching Roger shake Xavier’s hand.

Xavier gets up, buttoning his suit jacket as he stands. His eyes meet mine and some of the anxiety starts to go away.

“That was incredible!” Victoria rushes out, speeding around me to get to Xavier. I suddenly pick up on a new feeling from her, one that I hadn’t noticed before. She thinks I’m just a lowly human and Xavier should be with someone better matched for him. Someone—shockingly—like her. She’s not the first person to be jealous of me solely because I’m married to Xavier, and honestly, I don’t blame her.

I would be jealous, too.

Xavier is a force of a man and if we’re going just on what you can see on the outside, he’s a solid ten out of ten. Good looking, rich, powerful, and respected by humans and vampires alike—that’s enough to make anyone jealous, right? But then when you get to know him, really know him, there’s so much more to love about Xavier Malus.

“Now when you leave,” Victoria goes on. “You’re going to go through the front so the cameras are on you. I need you looking weak and scared, Wren.”

“Why?” I ask, making a face. “I’m weak or scared.”

Theo, who’s standing off to the side but can hear everything said thanks to vampire hearing, narrows his eyes ever so slightly.

“You’re a human and—” she starts but I interrupt her.

“That doesn’t make me weak or scared and you know I’m a witch.”