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“I heard nose rings are quite the trend these days.”
“They are?”
“Yes. Isaiah sports them three in a row.”
His pale complexion turned even more ashen, the man sinking into gray territory. Denison looked like he swallowed something vile and was trying not to choke on it, which was more than enough to confirm a certain woman’s words.
“Listen, about Isaiah…”
“He’s a very popular pirate, from what I heard. He has many deals going on with many houses and might be welcomed here if he keeps up the service. I heard he trades a lot of goods to House Rue?”
The threat was subtle. Whether Denison got it or not was to be determined, but the man nodded, desperately latching on to the offer.
“Yes, he has some very good stocks. Goods. Lots of goods.”
“Good. I will make sure to tell my family of those goods and how they and the pirate could be of service to us.”
Not that he was ever going to let a pirate make any more trades with them than was necessary, considering their treacherous and hunger-ridden nature. But Nate believed in letting creatures thrive, so long as they stayed away from him.
“Yes, of course. Thank you. It would be an honor to be mentioned to your parents, Nathaniel.”
“Anytime. Give Stephanie my regards. They are especially fond of her.”
Denison hemmed and hawed, then finally let Nate leave when the man finally understood that he had fucked up. He was probably already planning ways to cut ties with Isaiah in his head. Nate let him mull over it and exited the venue without speaking to anyone else, the questions whirling. When he got to the bedroom, he paused to sweep the area, noted the clothes on the bed, and groaned. Then he was charging towards the balcony, letting his wings out, and flying as fast as the wind could carry him.
“Damn woman.”
The damn woman had somehow managed to uncuff herself and flee away from the room wearing the uniform he had offered—a brilliant idea since no one would stop her if she belonged to House Hendricks. He cursed at how he had underestimated her and furiously hurried to the shoreline. He scanned the horizon, deducing he was too late…until he spotted a figure racing to the water.
“Oh, no, you don’t.”
He swooped in without pause, avoiding forming a shadow over her. He caught her off guard when he plucked her without warning, her squeak loud and clear as she whipped around. Then he brought them higher and she stopped moving, aware that all her thrashing would just end with her plunging to the ground. He kept his speed until he reached the balcony once more, where he dropped her and marched forward before he even tucked his wings in. Her eyes widened as she backed away, gaze roaming over the edges of the torn side. Then they were gone.
“Why did you tell me about House Rue? What was your purpose?”
His question had that observing gaze snapping towards his. Her shoulders turned rigid, braced for his reaction. But her expression remained watchful.
“I heard the daughter isn’t so bad. She doesn’t kill the humans she drinks from and only has a servant for when she dresses in formal attire.”
It was so spot-on that it shook him to the bones—this human being knowing so much when most houses were secretive and wouldn’t dare reveal their innermost plans to anyone outside blood.
“Stephanie is all that. And she is my friend. Thank you for helping me prevent her death in the meantime.”
Denison still needed to be dealt with, but he had scared the man enough and knew there was time. His thank you caught Winter off guard as she stared at him, then hastily looked away.
“Who told you this?”
“I just know.”
“When did Isaiah come into play?”
“A year ago,” she blurted out, then whirled to glare at him. “Stop compelling me.”
“You would have to look into my eyes for me to compel you,” he returned and watched mortification bloom on her face. All the while, he stalked her while she continued backing away until they were on opposite sides of the room. “Would you like to jump off the balcony from embarrassment now?”
“No. I would prefer to be out of here alive.”
“You can be. If you accept my deal.”
