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Chapter Fourteen
Sebastian
After I make my appearance to welcome Drazos, I get a call from Violet that two more demons have arrived. She also lets me know that she’d fired the front desk staff and put the fear of God into the replacements. Well, the fear of the devil, because that’s pretty much what Violet is.
It makes no difference as long as I have staff who are loyal to me and me alone.
Morning passes into afternoon. I criss-cross paths with Luciana several times as she brings welcome gifts to each of the new arrivals. The pulse of energy running between us seems to increase each time, like two suns circling a black hole, drawing closer and closer until their collision course is inevitable.
So far the day has been relatively low on drama, other than my brother walking in on me and Luciana, and Violet having to fire people. Nothing like Aza’s dramatic entrance yesterday. But tonight there will be a cocktail party to kick off the summit, and that’s where the games will really begin. The posturing and politics tonight may very well decide the next leader of the Night Guild, long before the meetings even begin.
The party is being held in one of our large event halls inside the winery, situated above the main cellar. I’ve assigned Luciana to lead the team serving the wine and cocktails, and Violet is handling the team serving food. Late afternoon, after the final demon has arrived, I swing through to check on things, though the party doesn’t start for several hours.
There’s a large kitchen on one side of the event space, and a smaller one on the other side which has a private stairwell down to the cellar for ease of bringing up wine. Violet has her team of catering staff working busily on food prep in the big kitchen and setting up tables and such. After I’ve taste-tested a few things, I cross over to the smaller room to see what Luciana has selected for tonight.
As I approach the doorway, I hear her voice along with another. But the second voice is not one of my staff, though it’s quite familiar to me.
“How long have you been working for my brother?” Caspian asks.
I freeze and wait outside, listening.
“Not long,” Luciana says. I can hear the polite smile in her voice.
“And he’s already tasked you with extra job duties.” Caspian’s tone is wicked. “What would human resources think?” A low, dark chuckle.
“I’m very grateful to be working with Sebastian.” I can hear the click of her heels on the stone floor, as if she’s taking a step forward or back.
“Clearly. It shows.” Another cruel laugh.
Luciana clears her throat. “I really need to finish getting ready for the party. My staff will be here soon to help…”
I hear Caspian’s footsteps on the floor, and Luciana’s heels again. “I’d like to make you my own job offer,” my brother says. His voice has dropped several octaves lower, and I can feel a flare of magic even through the stone walls separating us. “I think you’ll find I’m a much better boss than he is.”
“That’s so kind.” Luciana’s voice is pinched. “But I’m quite content with my current arrangement.”
“I think you should let me show you before you decide,” Caspian presses. There’s the sound of wine bottles clinking against each other, and something tips over.
“I’m not interested,” Luciana says, and this time there’s steel and lightning in her voice.
Caspian’s magic flares again. “You’re not in any position to deny me.”
Black fury rockets through me and I step around the corner as another wave of magic pulses out. But this one is from Luciana. Witch and demon magic both, flame and comets and midnight sky mixed. It shoves against Caspian where he has her pinned against one of the marble countertops, making him stagger back several feet. His eyes widen in surprise at how strong she is. And I’m shocked, too—my brother is one of the most powerful demons I know.
“What the fuck is happening here?” I growl.
Caspian turns slowly. “Just having a conversation with your waitress.” He shrugs, as if it had been nothing.
“It doesn’t seem she cares for it much.” My eyes burn into his, and my own magic shimmers around me.
Luciana’s eyes find mine, but I keep my gaze locked on Caspian.
“She just doesn’t know what she’s missing,” Caspian says with a smug smile.
“I do, in fact,” Luciana says. She’s simmering now, flames wrapped around her hands.
“Don’t bother her again, brother,” I say slowly.
Caspian finally turns from Luciana and takes several steps toward me. “You know we share everything, Sebastian.”
