Page 60 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

I shifted my gaze from Graves to Knight. “What is the meaning of this?”

Graves didn’t look good. He was pale and thin, with dishevelled hair and dirty clothes. He hadn’t shaved in weeks, judging by the thick beard, and his pupils were dilated.

He stretched out an arm towards Knight. “He killed Lucy. After having taken everything from my family, destroyed our home, he dared kill my sister!”

Knight leapt to his feet with a speed that warranted some respect. “I didn’t. I didn’t order my men to kill her either. George acted of his own accord without consulting me.”

“You’re responsible for your werewolves.” Graves stood up on unsteady legs. “You’re the alpha. The duke.”

Knight pressed his lips together. “I wanted Lucy out of my area, but I didn’t want her dead.”

I spoke before Graves did. “I suppose you’re going to take action against this George.”

“I am.” Knight gave me a curt nod. “Graves shouldn’t interfere. I’m counting on you to keep him calm.”

“Calm? He left the Dark Court. He’s no longer my responsibility.”

Irene cleared her throat as Graves started sobbing with awful, choking noises. I knew Irene well enough to understand what she wanted me to say.

I gave Graves a quick pat on the shoulder, genuinely sorry for the chap grieving his sister although he’d left the Dark Court on his own. “Unless you want to be part of the Dark Court again.”

I didn’t mention the fact Raven Hall might as well be lost and that we were planning to catch a formidable vampire who could kill us all in a heartbeat. Or that the Fair Duchess might dismantle the Dark Court and the Moon Court and govern them as the sole ruler.

He wiped his face with the tattered sleeve of his shirt. “Would you really take me back?”

No, but for Irene, I would do anything. “Of course.”

Irene didn’t trust me. I’d disappointed her. The least I could do was try to gain her trust.

She gave me a small smile that warmed my chest, and our bond softened.

Graves nodded. “Thank you.”

“Come on.” I headed for Lucy’s flat. “We need to take Lucy out of here.”

22

GRAVES’S JOB

Irene

Taking Lucy’s body to the townhouse had been disturbing work, especially because she didn’t look dead, apart from the bloodstain on her chest and her paleness. Darius believed that was a sign she was really about to turn.

Now she was resting in a soft bed with fresh clothes as Myrtha and I cleaned her up from the gore.

“Try to convince Ravenhill to give Lucy a chance.” She wiped the blood from Lucy’s chest. “This woman has suffered enough. She didn’t deserve to die.”

“If he kills Bethlen, he’ll return human.” I helped her slide a clean nightgown over Lucy. “And there’s always the risk of Bethlen killing thousands of people.”

“But we could catch him, as you said.” She caressed Lucy’s head with tenderness. “Why is it always us? Why do we always have to be understanding and sacrifice ourselves?”

“A rogue vampire raging through a city as crowded as London is a danger we can’t dismiss. But I agree with you. Lucy should be given a second chance.” I covered Lucy and brushed her hair from her cold cheeks. “I’ll do my best to talk to the duke.”

“Listen.” She lowered her voice. “Graves doesn’t know everything. I’m worried about his reaction when he learns the truth.”

“He doesn’t know Lucy was bitten by a vampire?”

“Shush.” She glanced at the door. “No, he doesn’t. You know how werewolves are. They get easily excited, and once their excitement is triggered, they lose focus. He arrived, saw Lucy dead, and went wild with rage. He has no idea.”