Page 32 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

“We’re investigating the matter.” I kept my tone flat despite the burning annoyance.

“That’s wonderful.” Esmeralda’s expression told another story. “I feel more reassured. My first concern has always been and will always be the safety of humans, as I’m sure it’s yours. Yet there are three men dead under unnatural circumstances.”

“Three thugs,” Knight said, and I wanted to smack him on the head for having talked too much.

Esmeralda pursed her lips. “We don’t condone killing of any kind. The fact the victims were criminals doesn’t change anything. We don’t use our supernatural powers to kill humans. Alas, wilis have no choice, but let’s not make the exception the rule.”

“We don’t know what happened yet.” I signalled Knight to let me talk. “If you give us some time, we’ll get to the bottom of the matter.”

“You had better be quick.” She flashed another polite smile.

“What we know is that a sorcerer called Lord Rothbart is involved.” I’d better give her something to mull over, lest she think I wasn’t taking the matter seriously.

She stiffened. “That’s not possible. Rothbart is dead.”

“You know him?” I leant closer.

“He was Koschei’s apprentice, hungry for power.”

“The former Dark Duke?” I was stunned. I’d fought against Koschei without knowing he’d been Rothbart’s mentor.

Esmeralda nodded. “Rothbart became obsessed with dark magic until he surpassed his master. Poor is the student who doesn’t surpass his master, Koschei said.” She lowered her gaze to her cup of tea, her posture slumping. “But when Rothbart proved to be cleverer and more powerful than he was, Koschei became jealous. He was cruel to Rothbart, punishing him harshly, even torturing him. At the hands of Koschei, Rothbart developed a dependence on pain. He left the Dark Court to live in the Wraith Court. There, under the guidance of the Wraith Duke, he became even more powerful, mastering many spells. When the Civil War ended, he was found dead in the mansion, or so we believed. Are you sure it’s him?”

“Mr. Strange thinks Rothbart is a sorcerer who masters only a couple of spells,” I said.

“It may be possible.” She straightened her fork, aligning it with the knife. “He might have lost most of his power and turned into a sorcerer. Still, there’s no proof of his identity.”

“None.” I had to agree with that.

She finished her tea and rose. Knight and I stood up as well. “That said, gentlemen, if humans keep being killed or if you expose our existence, I’ll take control of your courts.” Her tone wasn’t challenging but rather motherly.

“This is unacceptable.” Knight closed a shaking fist. “I’m working hard to keep my court safe and make it prosper.”

“Safety comes first. Always. And shall I remind Ravenhill that an evil witch is in your court?” she asked.

“Carabosse isn’t a danger.”

“She was part of the Wraith Court, and I don’t believe she’s changed. She should be exiled.”

“I should decide that.” I was having trouble controlling my temper.

Cara wasn’t my friend, but I was the Dark Duke. I made the decision.

She rang the bell, and the footmen opened the door. “I don’t want to hear of any further disorders in your courts. Get things sorted.”

Knight groaned when she left. “How can we stop her from taking over everything?”

I glanced at the Countess of Saragossa. “We must find that bloody rogue.”

11

AN UNWANTED REUNION

Alex

Two days had passed since our visit to Whitechapel, and only one thing had changed—my tolerance for sunlight.

When the sun disappeared below the horizon and the stars twinkled, energy rushed through me after a day of being exhausted and sick to my stomach.