“The law?” Sparrow slammed the cane against the cage. “Wake up! Once we overthrow all the groups that govern Breed, we won’t have to hide under the covers like frightened little mice, petrified that Regulators might snatch us from our beds for a crime committed three hundred years ago. Bygones will be bygones.” He forced a smile. “I’m also a Stealer, so I spent more time using that gift than the other. Besides, it took me years to even learn what my Unique abilities were.”
“What good is that? All Stealers can do is borrow powers for a little while, but only if you know what the person’s abilities are. Or something like that,” I said, not wanting him to suspect that was also my gift.
“Alone, it’s a novelty. You can render a man mortal and then play around with his gifts for a day. Then it’s gone.But… if you can locate an Infuser willing to serve you, the sky is the limit. The more gifts you seal into your core light, the more you can shape your powers into something new. I’ve acquired quite the collection, and I’ve been very selective. A Summoner can harness energy and build temporary walls, but now I can use that gift in ways no one has ever dreamed possible. I can make weapons. I can build walls that will stand on their own. I can open doorways.”
With each ability he boasted about, he provided a visual display with his light. An energy wall went up all around me, and I realized he could have easily caged me in that thing instead. I moved to the center, not wanting to accidentally brush up against the edge.
Sparrow bowed, and when he did, the wall fell. “Andthat’swhy I don’t fear Vampires.”
I blinked. “Because you can build a wall around yourself? I don’t see how that could keep a Vampire out. Energy doesn’t affect them.”
“Oh, but mine does.”
Mental note: definitely don’t tell this guy I’m a Stealer. He might kill me on the spot.
“I once stole a Blocker’s gift, so Vampires can’t charm me,” he bragged, a smile winding up his face. “MostMageBlockers can only block other Mage gifts, but Blockers in general span across the Breeds. It’s all about finding a person with that rare ability, and this gentleman so happened to have the power to block a Vampire’s charm.”
No wonder he wasn’t afraid of Lenore. Did she know about his immunity to Vampire magic? If not, she soon would, and I had a feeling that wouldn’t go over well. “That’s… impressive. You should have stolen everyone’s gifts at the party.”
“Never mess with perfection. Once you’ve mastered your gifts, adding more is like pouring gravy on top of a pie.” He tapped his chin. “No, I don’t like that. Maybe like putting an extra card on top of a house of cards that’s already complete.”
“I suppose you’re telling me everything because you’re going to kill me.”
He stroked the bars. “I don’t care about hiding anymore. I have a plan, and part of that plan involves everyone knowing what they’re up against if they choose not to serve me.” Sparrow strolled to the other side of the cage. “One of my men informed me that you’re a skilled fighter.” He peered at me over his shoulder. “The one youdidn’tkill. I could use a talented soldier to train these incompetent fools. They’re powerful, but there’s a lot to be desired at the rate heads are rolling. Interested?”
I sure as hell didn’t want to lock myself into an agreement with Sparrow even if it might save my life. Christian had warned me about the long-term consequences. “You’d have to sweeten the pot with more than just removing the curse. But if you start with that first, I’ll consider the offer,” I said, hoping he’d take the bait.
He faced me and squeezed the grip on his cane. “I’ll leave you alone for a while, Miss Black. It appears you need more time to consider my offer before digging your own grave with ridiculous requests.”
I barked out a laugh, and when he jerked his head back, it made me laugh even harder.
“This is funny? I have zero tolerance for the absurd.”
I straightened up and wiped away a tear. “It’s not that. You said digging your own grave. I’m already half-dead. Never mind. Apparently I now have the humor of a Gravewalker.”
He tapped his cane on the bars. “You have no need for food, water, or other basic necessities. I suppose you could dwell in here for a very long time.”
When Sparrow left the room, my stomach sank at his veiled threat. Living in a cage was a fate worse than death. How many years or decades would pass before I went mad? Without knowing what Viktor would decide, I could be staring at these bars for the next thousand years.
* * *
Lenore seethed asshe walked down the hall, waiting for Godfrey to finish his private conversation with Raven.
Private.
The nerve.
Already Raven was working him over, influencing him in the same way she held influence over Christian. How could a woman so young and uncouth hold such sway over men? Even Viktor was quick to defend her. Raven wasn’t especially beautiful, and her mismatched eyes were simply unnerving to gaze at. There was nothing graceful about her—nothing charming. She wasn’t high society, nor did she have important acquaintances to speak of.
Lenore wandered into an open bedroom just down the hall. The small bed on the right had a large canvas painting hanging on the wall behind it. Cheap. Like something a human would buy in a discount store. It was a bleak image of a black-and-white grove of trees. They were out of focus except for the one in the middle, which was dripping with bloodred leaves. The color matched the bedspread and also the armoire by the door. This room couldn’t have belonged to the little one with the bright hair. Nor did it look the taste of the Shifter.
Lenore reached the fireplace on the left and treaded across a white rug. She glanced at the bed to her right and imagined Raven and Christian curled up in it, talking about her. What secrets did they keep? She needed that woman out of the picture but without implicating herself. She had toiled over how to get Raven kicked out of Keystone or even arrested, but now everything was coming together beautifully. Godfrey would be to blame for her death. And if Godfrey created the chaos he so promised, Keystone would never last. She could sway Christian to join her. He was loyal once, and she knew it would only take a little of her blood to make him loyal again. Lenore had to plan ahead. Eventually she wanted Godfrey out of the picture, and Christian—despite his flaws—was an excellent assassin.
After perusing the junk collection on the desk, she flipped open a cheap music box and watched a ballerina twirl toFür Elise. Lenore reminisced over a brief period in her life as a ballet dancer. Vampires were especially ideal since dance required strength and endurance, but she had to bring the grace and skill. It didn’t take long for the other dancers to notice her feet were in perfect shape. People on average were shorter in those days, so when her height became a source of complaints, especially among the men, she quit. No matter. She had already drawn the attention of immortal aristocrats who wanted to possess her.
Lenore slammed the music box shut. She was so naive back then. It wasn’t until the turn of the twentieth century that she finally got her act together and hardened up. She had acquired plenty of money and more than enough connections, but it seemed unfair that she couldn’t have more. Women didn’t hold many positions of power in those days. After a thousand years on this planet, Lenore grew tired of accepting what was handed to her. So she matched herself with an important man, aiming to make them a power couple. He seduced her. Loved her. And she stupidly loved him in return. When she made him the offer, he laughed. He had only wanted her as a plaything, and it broke her heart. Nearly ruined her.
If she hadn’t met Houdini, she might still be pining over that unworthy creature, who was now six feet under, regretting his life choices.
