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Matthew was glaring at me now, too.
I talked faster. “He was the one who staked Brien’s mother—he practically admitted it to me. Or if not him, it was Clarisse; they’re working together.”
Cain and Talon exchanged a glance. “Matthew gave you switchblade?” Talon asked.
“Yes—he wants me to stake Brien. Now,hurry. They’re both looking at us.”
Talon tilted his head to the left, and Cain nodded. They dropped back, Talon circling left toward Matthew, and Cain sidling right toward Clarisse.
Brien spoke again. “But before we open the circle, I have one more item of business.” He stretched out his hand to me. “Step forward, Twilight.”
My gaze snapped back to him. What the fuck?
He stared back, unsmiling, every inch a vampire primus.
I had to obey him; we both knew that. A thrall didn’t ignore a direct command from a vampire, especially the primus.
His hand was still stretched out, and even though he hadn’t moved or spoken since calling me to him, I saw it as it was. A plea to trust him.
I went to him.
His fingers closed around mine.
He didn’t drop to his knees. His expression was severe, even a little cold. He was half-naked, bloodied, barefoot. But there in the dimly lit ballroom, surrounded by the top people in his syndicate, he met my eyes and it felt…perfect.
“I claim this woman, Twilight, as my mate.”
A shockwave rippled around the circle of vampires. Jaws slackened. A couple of the enforcers actually rocked back on their heels. But no one spoke up to object.
A similar shock hit me right in the heart. I gripped Brien’s hand as the connection between us opened fully, linking me to him in a way that I knew could never be broken, like our souls had somehow joined.
“Well?” Brien prompted, and I realized I was staring at him without speaking like my mouth had been glued shut.
I managed to pry my lips apart. My face split in a grin.
“I accept,” I said in a voice that was probably too loud, judging by the way Brien blinked.
He recovered quickly, though, and with a low chuckle, pulled me into his arms for an open-mouthed kiss that almost made me forget we were in a ballroom surrounded by a dozen cold-eyed vampires.
A commotion made us break apart. Talon and Cain had reached Matthew and Clarisse, and the pair were fighting back.
Brien swore. “Matthew’s part of this?”
I nodded. “He just tried to get me to stake you.”
Prosper’s bushy brows lowered. “What in Hades is this?” he asked Brien.
“Enforcer Smith’s a traitor,” Brien stated in a carrying voice. “As is Enforcer Dumas. They’re hereby stripped of their ranks and their rights as made members in the Maritime Syndicate.”
Prosper’s scowl deepened. It was clear he wanted an explanation.
I held my breath. It was Brien’s first test as primus. His word was law now. He didn’t have to explain himself unless he chose to.
Prosper’s jaw worked, but he bowed his head. “As you say, Primus.”
“Take them,” Brien ordered.
Two vampires started forward, but instead of helping Talon and Cain, they attacked them, dragging the two men off Matthew and Clarisse. It was like touching a match to a bonfire. The adrenaline and testosterone in the ballroom was already high. People ran forward to help, including several soldiers who’d been guarding the doors out in the hall, and within seconds, the room had exploded into a full-out brawl.
