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Ransome growled and bared his teeth. “That sure as hell doesn’t surprise me.” He shoved his face in Asher’s. “And you thought to challenge for alpha? On what fucking planet? LaPierres do not get into bed with vampires. That kind of alliance never ends well.” He paused and glanced at Ana. “No offense.”
“None taken.”
Asher’s face whitened and he tried to back away but there was nowhere for him to go. The wall was at his back. The bastard’s eyes were huge and Ana loved that his whiny voice trembled slightly as he spoke.
“I can’t give you that information. You know the rules. Only those invited are allowed inside. There is no negotiation.”
“I don’t care,” Ana bit out. “You will tell me or I’ll drain you dry right now.” She smiled brightly. “How’s that for negotiation?”
Ana pushed past Ransome and sank her long nails into his broken arm. Asher screamed and tried to shake free but she was too strong. Stirrings of Declan’s magick, remnants of their joining flooded her and she considered trying an energy blast, but her fangs seemed to do the trick.
He broke immediately. How fucking pathetic.
“They’re living in English Turn.”
“Where the hell is t
hat?” she spat. “Never heard of it.”
“It’s a gated community full of new money,” Asher managed.
Ana twisted his arm and smiled as he screamed.
“Why, thank you, asshole. Before I leave, I need another piece of information.”
Asher stared at her with hatred, his chest heaving, his eyes flat, black stones.
“I know it was you who tipped off council as to the whereabouts of Jean-Charles and his lover. You put the blame on me. If I hadn’t been out of my mind with grief I would have ended your sorry excuse of a life sixty years ago.” She grabbed him by the neck and brought his face so close she could see the tiny veins that ran beneath his skin. “Why? We were all friends. Why would you betray them?”
Asher’s face was pale, but the growl that erupted from his chest brought a fresh wave of heat to his skin. He bared his teeth and spat, “She was mine. She was always mine.”
Ana fought the sadness she felt as the memories of that tragic night from so long ago swept over her. It welled up until her chest hurt from the breadth of it, and then she let it go.
She dropped Asher to the ground, and smacked him hard across the face. Blood spurted in every direction as he slid into a pathetic heap of animal. She stared down at him for several long moments and then turned, her voice barely a whisper.
“Sadly, Cerise belongs to no one, because you ordered her execution. I wonder how you live with yourself.”
“What the hell are you planning?” Ransome was once more fully clothed and spoke from across the room. He was directly in her path to the door.
“I don’t have time to explain and you need to get out of my way.”
“Lady, I’m not moving and don’t make the mistake of thinking I’m some weakling like that piece of shit over there.”
Ana knew his type. Alpha—used to getting his own way—and strong as hell. “I need to get something from that house.”
“For who?”
“A demon, Seth.”
“Christ, lady, I thought you were smarter than that. No deals with demons. They always bite you in the ass.”
“I had no choice.”
His eyes narrowed. “So spill the details.”
Ana hesitated and then plunged forward. Some secret corner of her heart was relieved to be able to share. “Declan and I are joined now. We’ve bonded and there’s no turning back.” She swallowed and exhaled a shaky breath. “But there’s consequence. In my world, we’re not allowed to make vampires. It’s forbidden. If it happens”—she glanced down at the now-silent Asher—“council will destroy the fledgling and banish said maker, to wherever. If said vampire is lucky enough to escape with their life.”
“But he is Seraph, one of their soldiers. That has to count for something.”
