Page 98 of Only Fangs

“Yes.”

“Hang on. This is Arianna’s flat.” He stares at the painting of her and Clara on the mantlepiece. “How the hell do you know Ari?”

I clear my throat. “Ari and I are…” what are we? “Um… friends.”

“You don’t sound convinced.”

“It’s complicated.”

“Oh. Oh.” He jabs the mace towards me a few times. “I know you. You’re the one she was with last night.”

“Yes.”

“You seem alright actually. Like maybe you could have made her happy. Not that it matters now, I suppose.” He sounds sanguine, like it’s all a done deal.

“That’s why you need to help me. You need to break off the deal with Andrei and make a deal with me instead.” I hate how hopeful I sound, like a puppy desperately asking for someone to love him.

“Andrei’s deal was to buy Ari’s debt with the offer of my sanctuary in return.”

“I know. But I want you make a deal with me instead.”

He stares at me for a few seconds. “Why should I make a deal with you?” Victor asks, narrowing his eyes as he looks me up and down.

“Because I can give you something that Andrei can’t.”

“Really? You know who Andrei is, don’t you?”

“I’ve heard the rumours, if that’s what you mean.”

“Andrei Hele is one the most powerful vampires in the world. Some even say he’s the first of his kind. He can offer me protection.” Victor can barely conceal his excitement at the kind of life he may live within the confines of Hele House.

“You know I’m human.” I say it like a statement, but the flicker across his features suggests I should have phrased it like a question.

“You’re human?”

I nod.

“But you were there. At Hele House. In a fucking tux.”

“We thought no one would realise.”

“Fool.”

“You’re not wrong. But that’s not important right now. I’m human and you know what that means. You wouldn’t need Andrei’s protection. You could be free. Forever.”

He stares at me, mouth slightly open. I can see the dance of emotions across his features as he thinks through the layers of possibility I’m presenting him with.

“What do you want in return?”

“I want a loan. Enough to cover Ari’s debt and then enough to kickstart an investment. I’m assuming if I repay Ari’s debt then you can’t make her Andrei’s ward?”

“You’re right about Andrei. But⁠—”

“Will you accept the terms?” I ask.

“You’re a fool for even contemplating this,” he says.

“Yes. But I’m a fool with a brilliant business plan and a woman to win back.”