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Once we were back inside and I’d had a chance to warm up, we walked down to the banquet room. An archaic name for it, but just like everything else in this city, it had to be dramatic. “These guests of yours,” I inquired, “from the royal court. Are they nice? I mean, for vampires.”
“They’re a lot of fun, but none of us are really nice,” he half answered and dusted the remnants of dirt from our journey outside from his black shirt. “You can go back to your room if you prefer.”
“No,” I replied too quickly, then forced a small smile. “I want to meet them.” His fingers flexed at his side, but he didn’t stop walking. I needed to meet these people, hoping they’d have some intel on the royal castle and mainly, any information about my mom.
“One of them is from the city, though. He’s the owner of an auction. I would recommend you don’t wander off alone. You’ll be safe with me. Just make sure you put that bracelet back on, and he shouldn’t bother you.”
I didn’t even want to think about what happened at those auctions and instead reached for the bracelet.
A familiar voice set my heart ablaze.“Olivia.”
I turned slowly, unsure whether I’d heard it correctly. Yes, I had, and he really had the nerve to come here.
“Get out!” Sebastian snapped, but I pushed my arm out between them before he could lunge at Astor.
“I want to talk to him,” I declared, feeling the anger building inside of me. Before now, I hadn’t wanted to, but seeing him changed that. “Please.”
He stood between us, muscles tensed.
“I’m not going to hurt her,” Astor said, his head dipping as he took a step inside.
“Get the fuck away from her,” he growled, his eyes darkening, giving away the terrifying power behind them.
“I need to talk to him.” I touched Sebastian's shoulder, which rippled against my touch. “I need answers.”
Astor made a face. “I didn’t realize you two were a thing.”
“We’re not.” I scowled. “Sebastian, can you give us a few minutes alone?”
Sebastian tilted his head, his eyes darkening. “If you hurt her, I’ll show you true pain.”
“I would never,” Astor exclaimed, his frown deepening. “I haven’t told anyone about her being a sorceress.”
“He won’t,” I told Sebastian. “I’ll shout if I need you. But, please, I need my privacy. You told me I wasn’t a prisoner here.”
After an intense ten-second glaring contest, Sebastian relented. “Five minutes, and I’m coming back. It’s him I don’t trust.” He shot Astor, who stood in the open doorway of the front entrance, a final warning stare before leaving.
I stormed over to him, my fists balled.
“I’m sorry,” he began.
“What am I supposed to do with that?” I stared into the eyes of the man I’d whispered declarations of love to since I knew what it was. “My mom is gone, Astor!” My voice rose an octave. “Draven is being used as a blood bag, enslaved, or dead. I know you two didn’t get on, but he was your brother-in-arms. Don’t you care? What about all the protectors in the guild who died? I listened to them scream as vampires drained their blood. They were so confused about how the sangaree knew how to get past any barriers. I bet it crossed some of their minds before they died that one of their own betrayed them!”
Tears brimmed in his eyes. Usually, it would be enough, like drawing first blood in a battle, but I wanted to keep going. I wanted him to hurt like I was, like the families of all the people he betrayed undoubtedly were.
“They’re gone, Astor,” I shouted, my voice shaking. “They’re all dead, and I’m here, trapped in a city full of vampires, while you date the daughter of a woman who wants me dead. The whole fucking order, Nightshade or whatever, is hunting me. They want to kill me! How could you go from loving me to not caring if I live or die?” A cry bubbled up my throat, escaping into a sob as I tried to control the quaking in my upper body.
He stepped forward, standing only a couple of inches in front of me before I could blink the tears away. His icy fingertips gently caressed my cheek, but I pushed him back. I wasn’t crying because I was sad. My tears stemmed from anger.
I’d never felt rage like this, and it was very unlike me, but when I looked at the man who even after all this, held a small part of my heart, I wanted to set fire to the world. That love only fueled the hatred into something dangerous.
“Olivia.” His tone softened, a croak joining to his following sentence as he swallowed thickly. “You won’t believe me, but I never meant to hurt you. I wanted to come since I saw you in the den, but I had to find a way to sneak away from Gwen.”
I stepped back, dismissing his bullshit sentiments. “What about my mom? Did you mean to hurt her?”
“They told me they wouldn’t harm her and said the vampire king would take care of her.”
“You believed them?” I looked at him incredulously. “Since when did you become so damn gullible?” I shook my head then placed another foot between us. “I don’t know you at all.”
