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“I didn’t realize he was going to be here so soon,” I muse.
“Yes, well, time is of the essence,” she utters, fluffing a pillow as she speaks. “Julian is hell-bent on saving your friend and stopping his brother.”
“Saving my friend?”
She stops what’s she’s doing and looks toward me, a look of bafflement etched on her face. “Did I say friend?” she says. “I just meant friends as in the human population.”
“Right,” I agree, because that is the most important thing right now. Saving humans from the evil in the vampire community. “He really needs the Dupré family to do that?”
I’m not sure why this bothers me.Liar.It’s simply the fact that Julian requires the assistance of Addy’s family. The thought of him owing them anything has my stomach turning. What will they want in exchange?
“Vampires move much quicker than humans, Marina. It’s unlikely Marcellus will sit idle for long. For him to make a move, it will require allegiances with the Council.” She sighs before continuing. “It’s only a matter of time before another auction is held, or Marcellus creates more—” She stops, her eyes meeting mine, then shakes her head. “Well, never mind that,” she continues, glossing over the threat to humanity.
It’s only a matter of time before more humans die.
The regret I feel is instantaneous. How selfish and immature I’m being about this whole situation. Who cares who offers Julian their help, as long as he garners it? Millions of people’s lives are in danger, and I’ve only been thinking of myself.
“You’re right to worry,” Katina’s words have my head snapping to her in confusion.
“Has something more happened?” I ask, moving toward Katina.
She wobbles her head. “No, it’s not that. I meant, you’re right to worry about Count Dupré.”
I narrow my eyes, trying to signal to her that she needs to elaborate on that comment. She does what Katina does best—pretends like she never made the comment in the first place.
I growl in exasperation. “Katina,” I grit. “What does that mean?”
Her head snaps to mine, eyes widening and lips stretching into a thin line. She looks animated and I roll my eyes.
“Don’t worry your little human head about anything I’ve said. I’m just a busybody, keeping busy gossiping about things I have no business discussing. Never you mind.”
I close my eyes and inhale deeply, trying not to lose my cool on Katina. This is typical. I know this, yet I’m in no mood for her games today. She said it because she wants me to ask. Nothing this vampiress does is without motive.
Thankfully, she doesn’t make me ask her again.
“Count Dupré doesn’t do anything without an agenda. A price, if you will. If he’s decided to speak to Julian, he has something big he’s looking for in return.”
I thought the same thing myself, but hearing her give merit to my earlier deliberations only manages to make me feel uneasy.
What price would Julian pay for Count Dupré’s help? Could I really blame him for paying whatever the cost?
An hour of torture by beautification later, Katina’s happy with the way I look. Typically,
I would’ve fought her on the whole thing, but having spent the past several days holed up in a cabin, unbathed and altogether gross to look at, I am more than happy to oblige.
I’ve bathed, changed clothes, and been put through the gamut of makeup tutorials. Now I wait for word from Julian. After everything I’ve been through, I need him to look at me the way he used to. Every painstaking moment of this torture was meant to impress the only person I care about.
“Would you stop fidgeting?” Katina chastises. “He’ll be done soon.”
“Not soon enough. Why on earth did he have to run off before I woke up? Didn’t he want me to dine with them?”
I’ve had too much time to overthink everything that has happened since the party. My insecurities are raging, trying desperately to convince me that I don’t mean as much to Julian as he means to me. Or that he’s hiding me away because I’m human. It’s absolutely ridiculous, but I can’t help it. He has a habit of running off when I’m sleeping.
Katina rolls her eyes. “He had to be at breakfast and he didn’t want to wake you, Marina. You need rest.” She picks at something under her nail, never looking up at me, which doesn’t help my anxiety. Is she just placating me? “He knew you were safe and sound. He’s where he needs to be.”
“I know, but I just want to spend time with him,” I whine, and she finally looks up at me, frowning.
“Gee, thanks. I’ve been worried sick about you, but I count for nothing, apparently.”
