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“But they’re not mutually exclusive either.” I moved my hand toward the board, but Otto waved it away. His vampire senses were finely attuned to movement.
“We’ll keep the pieces where they are for next time,” he said.
“We don’t start over?”
He smirked. “Have you truly never played chess before?”
“I wasn’t exaggerating. I’d rather hear you play, if you don’t mind.” I finished every crumb on my plate and returned to the buffet table for dessert. “Are you sure you don’t want anything? It’s all delicious.”
“I have no doubt. Only the best for Otto Visconti and his guests.”
As much as I loathed the word ‘moist,’ there was no better description for the cake. The frosting was the perfect blend of rich and sweet. I was tempted to ask for the recipe, but I knew myself too well to think I’d ever bake a cake, especially not now with so many projects in full swing.
Otto switched to the piano. I immediately recognized Clair de Lune; it was one of my favorites. The song ended, and Otto remained seated. “I played this for Anya once. I think Debussy bored her.”
“It’s beautiful.” Debussy reminded me of my grandmother. I’d inherited my love of music from her. According to her, my parents had loved music, too. I’d been too young when they died to remember.
He motioned to the keys. “You’re welcome to play next.”
“Thank you, but no.”
“You can certainly fit a piano in the Castle. It would be simple enough to find a secondhand one that needs a home.”
“I wouldn’t want to install a piano until I’ve finished painting,” I said. It was a true statement that kept him from probing further.
“Would you sing for me?” Otto asked.
“Sorry, no.”
“A pity. I sound like a jackhammer on a city street. It would be a nice change to hear someone else.”
“That’s what your playlist is for.”
He smiled, and I caught a glimpse of his fangs. They were slightly stunted, like the rest of him.
The vibration of my phone against my hip startled me. I intended to reject the call until I saw Steven’s name. Instead, I jumped to my feet. “Excuse me, Otto. I need to take this.” I hurried into the corridor. “Lorelei Clay.”
“Lorelei, it’s Steven.” The tremble in his voice unnerved me; if this was an Ashley update, I wasn’t prepared.
“What’s wrong?”
“I got a call from someone who says he knows where Ashley is.”
“A Good Samaritan?”
“Do they count as a Good Samaritan if they demand money in exchange for the information?”
No, they definitely did not. “How much?”
“More than I have. Much more.”
I sighed. “Did they offer any evidence that the information is accurate?”
“Should I have asked? I was so thrown by the call, I didn’t really have time to think.”
“What did you tell him?”
“That I’d give him whatever he wanted if he knew where I could find my sister.”
