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I dipped my chin in a stiff nod. “I want to go outside.”
“No problem. I’ll show you to the courtyard.”
I nodded and followed him. I was pretty sure I knew the way, but why let them know?
Outside, I filled my lungs with the salty ocean scent as my companion put on a pair of sunglasses.
“You’re a dhampir, aren’t you?” I asked.
He nodded. “Name’s Jasper. Prince Brien found me on the mainland and invited me to join the syndicate.” His expression was close to hero-worship.
“Nice to meet you.” I put out my hand. “I’m Twilight.”
“A pleasure to meet you.” He gave an easy grin and pumped my hand.
It was impossible not to smile back. “So, Jasper. Which way should I go?”
“That way.” He pointed through the archway at the cobblestone road. “There’s a trail down to the beach in fifty meters or so.”
“Sounds good.” I’d started off when I heard my name being called.
I turned back to see Eden and Pinky hurrying toward me across the courtyard. They came up on either side of me.
Eden’s gaze raked over me. She was basically a Valkyrie: tall, shapely body; yellow hair pulled into a ponytail; sharp cheekbones; sky-blue eyes. All she lacked was a sword and a breastplate.
“So you’re the new thrall,” she said.
“That’s me.” I gave her an easy, Lainey-Q smile. “And you’re Eden—and Pinky.”
Pinky gave me a wide smile back. She was petite, with a nicely rounded body and a pretty oval face framed by a short black Afro. “We’re going to the beach if you wanna come along.”
Eden’s narrow-eyed scrutiny relaxed; apparently, she’d decided I wasn’t a threat. “Yeah, you should come.”
“I’d like that,” I said, and we headed through the arch. “So you’re both from the island?” I asked.
And did either of you happen to slip a note into my pocket?
Eden answered. “Yeah, we’re locals. The syndicate marked us as thralls when I was fifteen, and Pinky was what—?”
“Sixteen,” said Pinky.
“But we didn’t sign a contract until we were twenty-one,” Eden added.
“You’re okay with that?” I asked.
Pinky shrugged. “It’s more money than we could make doing anything else on the island.”
“FYI,” said Eden, “I’m Talon’s main thrall, and Pinky is Cain’s favorite.”
“Oh.”Don’t ask, damn it.
But I had to know. “What about Brien?”
Eden shook her head. “He doesn’t play favorites—doesn’t want anyone getting ideas.”
“But Lesa was in Quebec City for him,” said Pinky.
Of course. Why else would she have been there?
