Page 41 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

I winced as smoke rose from my skin. We stared at each other for a long moment. Never in all the years we’d been friends had he resorted to blessed water to stop me. He’d asked me to stop and I hadn’t listened.

“I…I’m sorry. You did the right thing. I wasn’t myself.” I rubbed my aching temples. “Let me take care of the wounds.”

“Don’t start drinking again.” He held the bottle of blessed water like a weapon.

I approached him slowly not to frighten him, but I was in control. The frenzy of the thirst had gone. Mostly.

Closing the wounds required longer than usual. I had to lick the wounds for a few minutes before they disappeared.

Darius tensed. “Your healing power isn’t working properly.”

I said nothing and kept working on the wounds. When they were sealed, the skin remained red, not unblemished as it should have been.

He rolled the shirtsleeve down his arm and sagged back onto the pillow but watched me. “You must face the truth. You’re turning into a rogue.”

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. It was still neat. “We can’t be sure of that. This situation might be temporary.”

“What happened in Whitechapel with Irene? She was shocked.”

“I met my sire.” I sat next to him, suddenly exhausted. “The Count of Bethlen. He attacked me. Well, I started it, to be fair. He’s ten times stronger than I, as you can see.”

“Bloody hell.” He sat upright. “The four-hundred-year-old vampire who’s looking for the love of his life?”

“Him. He’s stronger, faster, and more lethal than I am. And I think he’s the rogue. He told me he’s killing Rothbart’s minions because Rothbart killed my sister. He believes Odette was his wife. Ridiculous, innit?”

He fished a piece of chocolate out of his pocket. “Not at all. It makes a lot of sense.” He paused, eyes widening as if he was having an epiphany. “Of course. That’s why he turned you.”

“Maybe I’m stupid—don’t say anything,” I added when he opened his mouth. “But I don’t see the connection.”

“Rothbart killed Odette. Whether this is true or false isn’t important for now. What matters is that the count thinks it’s true and that he believes Odette was his reborn wife. That’s why he’s searching for the thug. And you are Odette’s brother, so he thought to give you a present by…”

“Turning me into a monster.” The last word came out as a hiss.

“I suppose it depends on the perspective.” He scratched his forehead. “I need to eat. Curse you.”

I rang for the butler. “I’m already cursed.”

15

ON A DARK PATH

Irene

When Alex had told me to take the carriage and go home, I’d hesitated, but the predatory intent in his gaze had been clear. I hadn’t seen him after I’d arrived at Raven Hall, and Darius had gone to Alex’s room more than an hour ago. Meanwhile, I’d been pacing in my bedroom, worried sick about Alex, and I had no idea how he was faring.

“Irene?” Darius opened the door and peeked inside.

“Finally.” I rushed to him. “How is Alex?”

He rubbed his arm. “He’s fine. He fed from me.” He grimaced, his face pale. “I’ll never understand why humans find the bite pleasant. They don’t enjoy being mauled by a hound, do they? I nearly passed out from the pain. And I have no magic at the moment. I had to use my hands to change my clothes.”

“May I see him?”

“Well…” He shut the door. “You probably should stay away from him until we fully understand the consequences of the reckless pact he made with Cara.”

“He didn’t drink from me. He asked me to leave him alone. That’s a good sign, isn’t it?”

He pointed to the tray with the slices of honey cake I hadn’t touched. “Do you mind?”