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Chapter Four
Sebastian
The most important event of my life is coming up in a couple days, and everything’s going precisely according to plan. Except I might just kill my brother before the rest of the Guild even gets here.
“Caspian,” I growl into my cell phone, “You need to relax. I have everything one hundred percent under control.”
I’m pacing in front of the window of my office above the winery. Glimpses of stunning blue sky tease me through the glass, and smoke curls up from the lit cigar I’d set down in its crystal holder on my desk.
“We have to be ready for everything, Sebastian,” Caspian barks. “My informants have made me aware of several challenges for the helm… not everyone is going to go as quietly as we initially thought.” A garbled sound of rageful exasperation comes across the line.
“Let me guess… Aza, Drazos, and Valanquis.”
Caspian’s further growl of anger confirms my suspicions.
“This isn’t a shocker,” I say. “They’ve always been power hungry. We’re demons, for fuck’s sake.”
“The old I told you so speech? Very mature,” Caspian hisses.
“My point is, you’ll be ready for them. And if they want to start a fight for dominance at the summit, you’ll just have to start an even bigger one.” I shrug, even though I know he can’t see it. “No point getting worked up about it.”
“I wish I could be as cavalier as you are, baby brother.” Caspian’s tone is soaked in sarcasm. “Being as how this is only the biggest opportunity of our entire lives.”
“Well, we have the home field advantage. Everything here at Inferni will be perfect.”
“You have all the human tourists cleared out?”
“They will be by the time the summit starts.”
“And your staff? You have spies you can trust?”
I roll my eyes. “Naturally.”
“Make sure the entertainment is stunning.” Caspian pauses. “I’ll want to test them all out before the event begins.”
“Whatever you need to relax,” I say. “Because if you go into the summit this wound up, things aren’t going to end well for you.”
“I’ll be there tomorrow night.”
“See you then.”
I end the call and smack the phone down on the desk, letting out a groan. My brother is the worst kind of loose-cannon drama queen. Even for a demon. Having a temper tantrum because he can’t claim the throne of the Night Guild unopposed?
Of course, when Caspian gets truly angry, temper tantrum is definitely not the phrase I would use to describe it. I suppose it matches what he does for a living—war profiteering and arms dealing. He loves violence, that’s for sure.
But that’s where I come in, I keep him from losing his shit and doing something extra reckless and destructive. On a pretty much ongoing basis. This Guild summit, though, it has him more amped up than usual. A flicker of unease moves through my stomach. Will I be able to keep him in line this time?
I need a drink.
Grabbing my cigar off the table, I jam it into my mouth and jog downstairs. When I step out into the sun, music from the string trio hits my ears, along with the low buzz of winery guests scattered across the patio. I stride toward the bar, cutting through the middle of the open space.
That’s when another sound hits my ears. A loud voice, female. A voice like smoke and honey both.
“I asked for your finest wine, and I’m afraid I’m quite disappointed in what you’ve brought me.”
“Ma’am, that is our best wine… I’m not really sure what else I can offer you,” says the waitress, sounding flustered.
I don’t usually get involved with the winery guests, but I turn toward the voices. Not only because the one is so alluring, but also because I’m quite offended by what she just said. Disappointed? In my wine?
