“Where did you wander off to?” Godfrey asked from the doorway.
She had heard him coming but was busy fantasizing about burning Raven at the stake. “Just looking at what we have to work with. I suppose we can use all this decrepit furniture as firewood.”
He shivered. “I could use some gloves.”
Lenore rushed to him and clutched his arm. “Poor darling. Use me for warmth. Please tell me this place is only temporary,” she said, leading him into the hall. “It’s like living in the Dark Ages. You’re so much better than this.”
He reversed hold of his cane and smashed a lantern with the grip. “I’m certain hiring an electrician is within my budget.”
“Why waste your money when there are better homes at your disposal?”
He suddenly flashed out of sight.
She kept walking because the rapid thumping of his heartbeat gave his location away. Godfrey had always been juvenile when it came to his gifts. Even when they first met, he was always showing off and trying to prove he was a more gifted Mage than the next. He always wanted to best every man in the room, and most dismissed him because of his youthful appearance and bravado.
When she reached the stairs in the back, he was sitting on the flat stone railing. He was so lanky, and that hair he’d grown out was beyond hideous. It made him effeminate, and she was concerned his appearance could make it difficult for men to follow him. All he needed was shorn hair and a custom-made suit. Perhaps a coat with enhanced shoulders. It was a shame she couldn’t give his personality a makeover.
Having realized that no one could break the curse and Godfrey’s powers were limitless, Lenore had joined him. And now that she was with him, that meant she had to see to his ultimate success. His failure would mean her failure, so she needed to groom him for the part he was playing.
She softened her voice to sweet honey. “If you’re going to be a king, then we should find you a kingly wardrobe.”
He flicked a glance down. “What offends you?”
Lenore had to be careful with her words. “Nothing about your choices offends me. But if you value my opinion, leadership is something I know all about. I’ve watched many great leaders in my time, and it’s all about the image you project. It has nothing to do with personal taste. Do you think kings selected their wardrobe? They had stylists who designed wardrobes for every occasion. You could come up with your own crest or symbol and have special garments made. Let others do all the work and decision-making, and if you don’t like it—”
“Off with their head!” He jumped down and approached a statue of a winged man. “I would very much like paintings and statues in my likeness.” He took the cane and smacked the face with the wolf’s head, chipping the nose.
“Whatever you like, darling. Do you want me to charm her now while you attend to business?”
He twirled the cane in his hand before heading downstairs. “I’ve changed my mind on that.”
Had Lenore been holding anything in her hand, it would have shattered. “Then I’ll get a bonfire ready.”
Godfrey dramatically jumped to the landing below and turned. “I never implied I wanted her dead. That was you. I’ve changed my mind on you being the one to charm her. You have more important matters to attend to, like my wardrobe. As my future queen, I can’t have you involved in the mundane activities that my fledglings should be handling.”
“I think it would be better this way,” she insisted, slowly descending the steps. “I know Raven. She’s a trickster, and I’ll know the right questions to ask.”
Godfrey bent over laughing, his hands propped on that infernal cane. “It’s not rocket science, as they say.”
Lenore realized that in that brief time alone, Raven had cast doubt in Godfrey’s mind about her. If only she could charm her and know exactly what was said. She had to be careful about asking Godfrey directly, or he might grow suspicious about her questions. Men in power didn’t like to be questioned.
When she reached the landing, she tenderly touched his cheek and gazed into his brown eyes. “They’re going to write books and songs about you, Godfrey Sparrow. You have the world within your grasp. I’ve never seen power like yours, and the city will fall at your mercy. Those who don’t, you can banish to the realm of the dead. People from my party have already converted because they no longer support the structure we’ve created.” She used her Vampire magic to reel him in, zeroing in on his eyes, careful with her words so he wouldn’t realize she was charming him. “Allow me the privilege of overseeing your first formal execution. Keystone is our only immediate threat. Her death will weaken them. I’ll charm her before she dies and get everything you require. You can’t trust your guards with this sensitive information.”
He tapped her on the nose. “I never took you for a killer, Lenore Parrish. I always thought you kept your hands clean. I like your eagerness, but I have other plans. Find a good stylist.”
When he stepped away and descended the stairs, Lenore shuddered in horror. Somehow Godfrey was immune to her abilities. She knew Stealers could swipe gifts from another Mage, but only temporarily. Had he somehow found a Mage who could block the gifts of Vampires or other Breeds? If so, she would have no influence over him. None! If he were a Vampire, she could resort to feeding him her blood and controlling him that way. But now she had nothing. And Raven already sowed doubt in his mind. Had she convinced Godfrey to keep her alive for some reason? The very thought of Raven joining them made her stomach turn.
“Your master summons you!” he bellowed when he finally reached the first floor. One thing Godfrey had that worked in his favor was a spirited personality. His charisma drew people in just as his power made them too afraid to draw away.
Lenore remained on the landing and stepped back. Her oversized hood shielded her face, and she tilted her head so she could still watch with one eye. She wasn’t yet comfortable revealing her identity until she had a sense of what was afoot. These men wouldn’t recognize her face. Godfrey had never made a formal introduction, and so if by any chance his plan fell apart, no one could make a positive ID. No one except for the man who’d greeted her at the door and brought her to Godfrey’s chambers.
Vampires moved in from every direction and quietly held position, waiting for orders. Lenore envied that power and hoped to soon wield it herself.
A blond man approached and bowed. “We are at your service, my lord.”
Godfrey squared his shoulders, gripping the cane from both ends behind his back as he paced, looking at each Vampire he passed. “Now that I’ve taken command here, I want you to summon the remainder of my army.”
The blond Vampire rose but kept his head down. “My lord, did you not want them to hold position throughout the city? I thought our intentions were to carry out assassinations upon your command?”
