Page 31 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

“She’s a werewolf with no power and belongs to the Argos.” He sounded as if he were reciting a passage from a manual.

I snorted. “I see. Status and classes are important for werewolves. Like the toffs. Is it true that you converted her ducal palace into small flats?”

He flexed his fingers. “We didn’t have a choice. Yes, we subdivided the palace into small units to accommodate homeless families and veterans. I realise Lucy’s flat isn’t the best, but she accepted it with good grace and asked her brother not to make a fuss about it. I greatly appreciated that.”

A moment of silence stretched. A duke’s choices were never easy. I couldn’t blame him for wanting to take care of his pack.

“Why did you lie about Rothbart when we asked?” I asked, controlling my voice. While I was annoyed by the lie, Rothbart was terrifying enough to force good people to do bad things.

“I didn’t lie.” He shifted his weight.

“You said you didn’t know him.”

“And I don’t.” He turned his back on St. Patrick. “I’ve heard about him and his cruelty, but I didn’t live in Whitechapel, nor did I control the Moon Court when he was around. I wanted to gather more information about him before saying anything. I already have too many enemies, and even among supposed allies, I’m not popular.” He clenched his jaw, maybe realising he’d said too much.

“Being a duke isn’t easy. You became the moon duke through a war, as I did. One can’t expect to conquer power by force without making a few enemies.”

He was about to add something else when Esmeralda entered. The footmen shut the doors behind her and left.

“Ravenhill. Knight. Good evening.”

Emerald green was her favourite colour, as shown by the evening gown she wore. The fabric matched her large eyes. They looked wide and innocent, but she was as much a fairy-tale princess as I was Prince Charming.

She gazed around the library, tugging at her gloves. “I love this library. It’s not as huge as the one at Raven Hall, but then again, none is.”

I’d never seen the infamous library, but from what Darius had told me, she was right.

“Is it ready to be seen again?” She sat at the oval table in a swish of silk.

“It’ll soon be.” I took a chair and ignored the plates of sandwiches, tarts, and sweets on the table.

She gestured to Knight to take a seat. “Tell me, Ravenhill. Why did you insist on an evening meeting?”

I lifted a shoulder. “My preference. As your preference was to request me to come alone without Mr. Strange, Lady Myrtha, and Lady Irene.”

“Why only the three of us?” Knight scratched the scar crossing his face.

“Because I have the impression that you let your companions influence your judgement.” She poured the tea as if this were a normal visit.

Knight made a noise that sounded like he was repressing a growl.

“We aren’t children, Esmeralda.” I had to contain my own annoyance, too.

She smiled pleasantly. “Forgive me, Ravenhill, but you are, compared to me. As I said during our last meeting, you and Knight have been dukes for a very short time compared to my⁠—”

“Five hundred years,” I completed. I was growing tired of hearing that.

She shot me a quick glare. “I would like to know how your courts are faring, if Myrtha’s mysterious weakness is gone, and if the rumours of a disturbance in the Moon Court are true.”

Knight shifted on the seat. “What disturbance?”

Esmeralda took her time before answering. “Three men were found dead in Whitechapel, I believe.”

Of course, she must have heard of that. I drummed my fingers on the table. I should have discussed a strategy with Knight before coming to the meeting.

He turned his palms upwards. “If humans decide to kill each other, there isn’t much I can do. Whitechapel has never been a peaceful area with or without supernatural beings.”

“But these men were found bloodless.” Esmeralda angled towards me. “I suppose a vampire is involved.”