AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We were almost to the salon. I turned and nodded as if directing him to wait in the hall.
“No. There’s no one down there but an old, blood-crazed vampire—a woman.”
Rafe’s eyes narrowed. Like he wasn’t sure whether to believe me.
My chest squeezed, but how could I blame him? I had every reason to lie.
I licked my lips, and added, “But he was here.”
Rafe deserved to know, even if it implicated my mother and Philippe. If that made me a traitor, then so be it.
I think I already knew I’d never be my mother’s lieutenant.
His heartbeat kicked up. He leaned in. “You’re sure?
“Yeah. I saw the cell—the one in the photo. The concrete had the same blood stain.”
He stepped back and lowered his gaze. “Leave as soon as you can,” he told the floor. “I have a bad feeling about this. We need to get the fuck out of here.”
I gave a helpless shake of my head. “I can’t. I have to stay for at least a couple of hours.”
“Damn it, Zoe.”
“I’ll do my best.”
In the salon, the pianist was playing a moody piece by Rachmaninoff. The vampires had their eyes half-closed, entranced by the dark, erotic melody, their thralls snuggled up to their sides.
I fought the music’s pull on my senses, afraid that if I gave into any emotion, even the soothing darkness, I’d crack wide open.
Philippe nuzzled his thrall’s throat, teasing her tender skin with his fangs. He lifted his head and eyed me as I rejoined the group.
I smiled and nodded at him, pretending everything was all right. It wasn’t even hard, I was so used to hiding behind my princess mask.
Nobody would guess my chest was a tangled knot of emotions. Guilt that my own mother had probably been behind Zaquiel’s abduction. Horror that Rafe had been right; Victorine had broken the truce. And a growing fear for both Rafe and myself.
The music grew darker, more intense.
My gaze was drawn once more to the Degas painting.
The young dancer would’ve known what Philippe was. Back then, many dancers signed thrall contracts. It was a win-win—in return for blood and sex, the dancer got money and the prestige of being a powerful vampire’s thrall.
That was how the world worked. The pretty ballerina had probably done everything she could to attract his attention.
But tonight, it creeped me out. I knew Philippe. I’d bet my favorite orchid that he’d manipulated things so the dancer had no choice if she wanted to eat.
Philippe’s hand settled on his thrall’s nape. She leaned into him. He kissed her temple and met my eyes.
He knew.
Suddenly, I was certain Victorine had contacted him. That when I’d arrived, he’d already known I’d sneaked out of my own birthday ball and gone missing.
Butwhatdid he know?
I’ve never been so thankful that vampires can’t read each other’s emotions. I gave him a slight smile and focused on the music.
He doesn’t know about Rafe. You can still bluff your way out of this.
The music approached its climax. Dramatic, haunting arpeggios that crashed over me like a breaking storm. If I hadn’t been so on edge, the loud music might have drowned out the footsteps coming down the hall.
