Page 33 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

Sunlight had always weakened me, but now it drained me and burnt like a bonfire. I had added a double pair of thick blinds to my windows to block the sun, but even when I stayed in the dark, the weakness plagued me, as long as the sun was up.

We’d searched the streets of Whitechapel for two days and found nothing. No more dead people or traces of the rogue.

Knight had joined the search, but he hadn’t been luckier than us.

Finally, dusk darkened Raven Hall, covering the gardens and Raven Lake like a cloak, bringing me relief. I’d been so tired that I hadn’t done anything but sleep. Now that I could touch Irene, I was too worn out to be with her. The irony wasn’t lost on me.

After I changed into a fresh suit, I flexed my fingers as I slid on a pair of gloves, ready to go out. The hallway was wonderfully cold and dimly lit. I went down the stairs, my thirst stirring as my energy returned. I’d fed recently, but somehow, I was thirsty again. Quite soon.

I didn’t look forward to chasing the rogue, and I didn’t know why. Making sure the supernatural beings didn’t cause chaos was one of a duke’s duties, and I’d never neglected it. But if the rogue was killing off Rothbart’s minions and criminals, I didn’t have to intervene. It wasn’t that I didn’t care about innocent people, but I couldn’t worry about everyone, could I?

I massaged my chest where an ache stirred where the bond vibrated. Did I really not care? There had been a time when I had.

No one had worried about me when I’d lived on the streets. Aside from Irene.

My lovely Irene.

I was going out tonight only to please her. Hell, I’d made a dark deal with the witch only to please her. And she didn’t trust me. I could tell from how the bond tensed when we were together.

I frowned at my own thoughts. Since when didn’t Irene trust me? I rubbed the bridge of my nose. Her lack of trust in me worried me more than my newfound weakness to sunlight. Had I been that beastly to her?

“I’m ready.” Irene came down the stairs, radiant as usual.

Her Prussian blue gown was simple. No layered underskirts, white lace, or folds. But it exalted her lovely eyes, curves, and glowing skin.

“You’re stunning.”

She blushed, and the scent of her blood teased my thirst; it was getting stronger by the minute.

A footman helped her don her coat.

“I’m ready to go.” She tied the front buttons. “Hopefully, we’ll be lucky tonight although I’m not sure if meeting a dangerous rogue vampire means being lucky.”

I kissed her hand, inhaling her scent deeply. “Any progress with Lucy?”

“Myrtha is staying with her tonight. Lucy doesn’t want to leave her house and still doesn’t believe she will turn, but her symptoms have improved.”

“Improved?” I stroked her inner wrist, feeling her swift pulse.

“Myrtha told me the fever is gone. Lucy is eating regularly and doesn’t shiver anymore.”

“Odd.” I kissed her wrist, lingering with my lips until her pulse went faster. I darted out my tongue to give a quick lash to her skin. “Maybe we were wrong. The vampire bit her only once and had no intention of turning her. Vampire fever doesn’t break until you’re dead.” I kissed her wrist once more.

She sighed. “You’re right. We need to go.”

“I haven’t seen you all day.” I trailed my lips along her neck. “Darius has already left. He’s going to patrol the northern part of Whitechapel. We can stay home and spend some time alone.”

“No.” She took my face, stopping me. “We do our part. Let’s go.”

Her neck attracted my attention, and my gums hurt. I wanted to drink from her, not because I was thirsty. Well, I was, but I just wanted to taste her blood and let it trickle down my throat and fill me with energy. I already imagined her neck arching under my teeth, her hips rocking, and my hand slipping between her velvety thighs.

“Alex.” Her concerned face filled my vision. “You were miles away.”

The bond gave a sharp tug at the same time.

“Finding the rogue is important.” Her eyebrows drew together.

My temples pulsed with the effort of staying focused. “Of course.”