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“As you should have,” Alek assured me. “I think there was simply a certain degree of…surprise at her arrival.”
“And the announcement that she’s a half-blood,” Dagon settled back against his chair at my side. The rest followed suit, but Saint didn’t look any more relaxed by the change in posture.
“She’s a quarter-blood, actually,” I said, shifting in my seat as my instincts demanded I end any threat to Grace and then return to her immediately. “According to what Cassandra said this evening after spending a few moments with Grace.”
Talon’s eyebrows rose. “That’s a peculiar ability for a noble to have—scenting those who have vampire blood.”
“It’s the first I’ve heard of it,” Alek admitted. “I would guess quite a few of our aristocrats are hiding abilities we know nothing about.” He put his hand up. “And before you ask—no, I’m not going to invade their privacy by sorting through their heads to see what they all can do.”
Everyone was smart enough to keep their mouths shut. Had to admit, it would be nice to know if we had another weapon or two over in the Domum.
“As for tonight,” Alek continued, his expression softening as he looked at me. “I understand the absolute torture of leaving a newly marked mate. I truly do. But you and Benedict are invaluable to me in that room.”
Duty and need warred within my chest, my heart battling my head. My honor required that I accompany my king. My very nature demanded that I stay as close as possible to Grace.
“She’ll be safe here with us,” Zachariah added. “We would all forfeit our lives to protect your mate.”
There was a murmur of assent among the hunters, and the truth of his words eased the tightness in my chest just enough for me to nod. “Okay. Then I’ll go for Conclave.” I turned toward Saint. “Trust me to advocate for you, brother.”
Saint’s jaw flexed, but he nodded, too.
“Or you could both trust me to protect your best interests,” Alek raised his brows at both of us. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, we need to leave in the next fifteen minutes, and apparently I need to bring some bribery material with us.”
* * *
The earthy scentof the tunnels beneath the Edgemont opera house filled my lungs as we stalked down the corridor that led to the vampire entrance of the Conclave chambers.
We disarmed—which I’d always thought was bullshit, laying our weapons on the table just before the door.
“Still not sure why we have to give up our Sigs when the witch queen has no problem wielding her power in the chamber,” I muttered as I lay down the last of my daggers.
“Luna wouldn’t act out of anything but self-defense,” Benedict replied, hanging his jacket on a hook that had been installed for just that reason and rolling up the sleeves of his dress shirt. “Don’t forget, she’s my sister-in-law.”
“Right.” I rolled my shoulders, trying—and failing—to loosen the muscles there.
“And to think,” Benedict grinned. “You used to be the funny one.”
“Stop giving him shit,” Alek ordered. “You weren’t much nicer during the first days of your mating with Jocelyn.”
“True.” His grin widened. “Just wait until you fall in love with her. Then you’ll really be out of your mind.”
“She’ll be dead in three months from that tumor in her head.” Every word carved itself on my heart. “Doubt I’ll get the luxury of having enough time to fall in love with my mate.”
Benedict’s face fell.
“Ironic, right?” I reached for the door handle. “I go through centuries on this earth and then fate hands me the most perfect female—woman, only to yank her away within months.”
“Ajax—” Benedict started.
“Let’s just get in there.” I threw open the door to the Conclave chamber and took stock of the room before allowing my king to enter.
Luna, the witch queen, sat on her chair, flanked by her advisors, as did Patrick on the other side of the circle. A massive male with shaggy hair and sharp, hazel eyes sat on the throne of the lycans, accompanied by two others I’d never seen before.
“Who might you be?” I stepped in front of Alek and Benedict quickly moved to my side.
He snarled. “I am Ruyan, the new alpha of the lycan. Who the fuck are you? Never mind. I no longer speak to underlings.”
No wonder Saint was having issues.
