Page 22 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

She’d always bickered with Darius, but the bitter tone was new.

“Is something the matter?”

Ash-grey spread through her aura—confusion. “I don’t know. It’s that…” She wrung her hands. “I’m growing weaker with each day that passes, and he’s so powerful. I can sense his energy on my skin.”

It was my turn to be confused. “Are you envious of Darius’s powers?”

“No, I’m not. It came out wrong.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Let’s talk about the more serious matter of the rogue. What were you saying?”

Her tone was commanding enough that I didn’t press the matter.

“Darius wants to see the bodies in Whitechapel. I’m worried about having to face a rogue. What can I do to protect myself?”

“Carry your gold cross, holy water, a blessed stake, and a silver dagger. Here. Have mine. It’s more powerful than yours.” She handed me a shiny dagger; the silver blade had beautiful, swirling engravings on it. “Rogues are faster, stronger, and more evil than regular vampires. Exactly what the world needs.” She huffed. “They’re hard to kill. Putting down a rogue requires the effort of many supernatural beings.”

I easily believed that. “What are these symbols?”

“Inscriptions in ancient Aramaic. The words form a protective spell. They mean ‘be gone, move away, the moonlight shines over me.’” She gave me the sheath as well. “You won’t believe it, but the Fair Duchess gave me this blade.”

“Esmeralda?” I couldn’t imagine the austere fairy giving a weapon to Myrtha.

“She found it after the Wraith Court was defeated and blessed it. She didn’t want a weapon, so she handed it to me.”

“Thank you.” I sheathed the blade. “Now. Tell me what troubles you.”

She flushed. “You would laugh.”

“I would not! Is it about your powers?”

“No. I mean, I’m worried, but what upsets me is something else.” She lowered her gaze, her aura dimming. “It’s…Graves.”

Her halo changed shape, and dark tendrils snaked out of it. She was lying, but I didn’t call her out.

“What about him?” I asked.

“When he left, still weak after Ravenhill had almost drained him of blood, he was desperate, broken. I’m worried he might do something reckless.”

“Like what?”

She shrugged. “He’s a werewolf without a pack. He would never ask Knight or even his sister for help. Stubborn, proud men are the worst. They always end up making a mess we have to sort out.”

That reminded me of Alex.

“You should visit Lucy, Graves’s sister. She isn’t too well. Alex thinks it’s starvation.”

Myrtha brightened. The prospect of helping a woman in need always made her determined. “I’ll do that. I’ll gladly take care of her.”

“Lucy is in good hands then.”

She squeezed my hand before I left. “Be careful.”

I truly hoped I was overreacting.

8

THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY

Irene