“Cooperate and I won’t remove your tongue,” she said, sounding more like a villain in a children’s movie.
My mind stirred. I couldn’t let that woman get inside my head. Did she know Crush was at the hotel? If not, she soon would. Lenore had her own agenda separate from Sparrow, and she would do whatever necessary to hurt me. “You’ll have to come inside the cage if you want me.”
“Just put a stunner in her so we can get this over with,” Sparrow said, losing patience.
Lenore’s fingernails tapped against the bars. “Those don’t work on her.”
“What’s her other Breed?”
“Vampire.”
“You jest. How is that possible?”
I flashed to the end of the cage to exude confidence. How the hell was I going to get out of this?
“What about impalement wood?” he asked her.
“No. I tried that.”
My jaw clenched. That bitch stabbed me with both a stunnerandimpalement wood? At this point, I didn’t care if she ever restored my memory of what went down during my burial. I knew all I needed to know.
“Fascinating,” he said quietly. “A Mageanda Vampire. What about strength?”
“She didn’t seem to acquire that natural ability. However, I’m uncertain what effect Vampire blood would have on her. She was adamant about avoiding it last time, but she obviously knows the inherent dangers. Had she the capability of charming, she would have tried that already. It’s irrelevant. If you want information, I’ll get information—even if I have to break every bone in her body. And afterward, we’ll burn the flesh off her remains. That way each year, I can send another bone to her lover. How many bones are in the human body? I bet Christian would know the answer. He’ll be reminded of your death for centuries to come.”
Sparrow’s interest in me was piqued, and that threatened Lenore.
I gracefully turned my attention to Sparrow. “Can we speak alone?”
“This one is up to tricks,” Lenore snapped.
I leaned against the bars. “Does she speak for you now?”
“Leave us,” Sparrow commanded.
“Godfrey, you don’t know the deviant mind—”
“Did I stutter?” Light swelled in his palms.
Lenore’s white cloak swished as she strutted angrily across the room and walked out. At least she couldn’t hear us now from outside the soundproof door.
I waited for Sparrow to speak first since he was a man who desired to be the most important figure in the room. Taunting him was no longer a wise strategy.
“How old are you in immortal years?” he inquired, tapping his cane against the side of his shoe.
“Under ten. I’m young, but I’m not stupid. I may not speak like upper class, but some people appreciate my bluntness. Lenore and I don’t get along because she likes people all to herself. I won’t lie—I admire her. She’s rich, successful, and is doing a hell of a lot better than most. She carved a path to success but left a wake of bodies on that trail. She screws people over, especially those closest to her. If you wanted to build an empire, you picked the wrong bride.”
“I’ve known Lenore a very long time. She’s powerful.”
“And very influential. Maybe you see that as a plus, but think of how those talents could quickly backfire on you. She’ll get rid of anyone who threatens her security, and that includes your closest allies. She’ll make it seem like it was your idea. Lenore doesn’t want to rulewithyou; she wants to rule.” I walked to the center of the cage. “Can I ask you something? Why would a Mage surround himself with Vampires? They have the power to control and charm you.”
He laughed. “That hasn’t stopped people from using vicious dogs as protectors. So long as they’re obedient, they won’t turn on their master.”
“Sometimes I think dogs are only obedient because you’re their source of food.”
He craned his neck. “Let me see your fangs.”
“I’m not a carnival act.”
