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“How the hell did Clayton get into Émigré, Maelle, let alone cause such damage? You had a multitude of magics protecting the place.”
“He didn’t set the bomb. I believe a woman did.”
Her voice was calm and collected, at total odds with the fierceness of her eyes and the utter darkness of her aura.
But if she was right—if it was a woman who’d caused this catastrophe—then it was more than likely the shooter who’d flown in and disappeared. “How did she get the thing in? It wouldn’t have been a small thing, given the damage it caused.”
“My people had to break up a fight that happened outside the entrance. I believe now it was a diversion, as it happened a few minutes after Belle and your ranger entered the building.”
“What happened to Belle?” I paused and looked around. “And where’s Roger?”
“Roger has been forced into a period of stasis.”
I frowned. “Meaning what?”
“He was so badly injured that he’s been forced into a period of inactivity in order for his body to heal and recover.” She paused, and though she didn’t move—didn’t even blink—it suddenly felt as if death had swept into the room.
The surrounding magic flickered but didn’t fully activate. For the moment, she wasn’t a direct threat.
For the moment.
I flexed my fingers and tried to remain calm.
“And Belle?”
“Was taken.”
Even though I already knew that, her confirmation hit like a blow to my gut. I sucked in air and tried to restrain the urge to scream and rant and rage. It wouldn’t help the situation; it wouldn’t even make me feel any better.
“How? From what she said, your accommodation center isn’t directly under Émigré and was even better protected than the night club.”
“All of which is true, and I can only presume she used one of my customers to get inside information. There’s no other way she could have gotten in and out with such ease.” Her dark gaze glimmered. “I want revenge.”
She wanted Clayton’s death. And she wanted it done slowly, wanted him pulled apart piece by tiny piece, wanted him screaming in agony as she bathed in his innards and consumed his blood…
I shuddered and shut the insights down. “You can’t. You promised the council to take no life within the reservation.”
“My promise was conditional on not being attacked. I did warn that I would retaliate to protect me and mine.” She paused. “I will, however, take him beyond the reservation’s boundaries before I kill him.”
And make sure he suffered in the meantime. I briefly closed my eyes. Clayton had to pay for the damage he’d done and the lives he’d taken, but allowing Maelle to take her revenge was little more than condoning his murder.
And yet, did I really have any other choice? I rather suspected that if I didn’t play by her rules, she’d simply bind me and find him without my help.
The only reason she was even here was the fact that she’d given her word to keep Belle safe—and she had to see that through before she made any move on Clayton.
The front door opened before I could reply, and the bell chimed merrily; it was a jarring sound in the uneasy, threatening atmosphere.
Monty stepped into the room and closed the door. “What the fuck happened over at Émigré? Is Belle—”
He stopped abruptly, his eyes going wide. “Jesus fucking Christ, you’re a vampire.” His gaze came to me, and understanding swept his expression. “And you knew.”
“Yes, but I was sworn to secrecy.”
“Does the council know?”
“Yes, but not the rangers.” I returned my gaze to Maelle. “Were you able to unleash any sort of tracking spell when he hit Roger?”
“No. He took Roger out when my attention was diverted by the first explosion. The second took out my aerie. Only my magic and my escape tunnel saved me.”
