Sparrow gave him a quick appraisal. “And you are?”
“Viktor Kazan.”
Sparrow snapped his fingers. “Well,thereyou are. I was wondering when you’d crawl out from beneath the rock under which you were hiding. So… you’re the wolf I’ve heard so much about.” He took a few steps around Viktor and gave him a long appraisal.
Viktor met eyes with him, the hat no longer on his head.
“And yet why so silent up until now?” Sparrow pressed.
Viktor didn’t like being backed into a corner. Declaring his intent with Lenore publicly wasn’t his style. Hell, he didn’t even talk about their relationship with us. It seemed to me that if he felt that strongly about it, he would have spoken out from the start.
Viktor was defenseless without the ability to shift. All of us were, trapped inside an electric cage.
“What is this woman to you?” Viktor’s level tone was the voice of reason. “What more have you to gain? Your pockets are full, and no one here will stop you. Miss Parrish is a Vampire and therefore not a suitable match for a Mage.”
Sparrow gave him a contemptuous grin. “And yet she’s suitable for a Shifter?”
Viktor arched his eyebrow. “You would take a partner by force who can crush your skull? This magic will not hold forever. She is superior to your gifts in every way. How well do you sleep at night?”
Sparrow barked out a laugh and clapped him on the shoulder. “I like this one. A million thanks for your contribution to my cause. Your mansion is truly a fortress. Well, with the proper guards it will be.”
“What is this you mean?” Viktor asked quietly.
I moved nearer, not liking how close Sparrow was to Viktor.
“Keystone,” Sparrow replied matter-of-factly. “If I’m to rule, I need a worthy palace. Don’t worry; my men have already cleaned out the riffraff by now.”
Shepherd’s eyes widened, and he bolted to the door.
“Shepherd, no!” Blue sprinted across the room and grabbed the back of his jacket when he tried to go outside. “You’ll burn up!Don’t do it.”
We’d left Niko, Hunter, and Kira behind. Kira had work to do and couldn’t watch Hunter all evening, so Niko volunteered to keep an eye on him. Switch had taken off to go to a party, and sometimes those lasted all night.
My God, what had Sparrow done to them? My stomach twisted into knots.
“Lies,” Viktor hissed, his lips peeled back.
Sparrow took a step away. “I’m afraid not. You see, I did my research on everyone invited to this party. Especially you, Mr. Kazan. I heard what happened to the previous owners. Pity.”
Viktor punched Sparrow so hard that the Mage spun around and teetered before finding his balance.
Sparrow drew his sword, the blue light lengthening into a blade. “You’re going to regret you did that.” When he jerked his arm back to impale Viktor, I shot forward.
“Wait!”
Sparrow’s dark gaze shifted, and he studied me like a predator. “Death waits for no man.”
I reached up and took off my necklace. When I held it out and that beautiful Burmese ruby oscillated between us, I remembered the way Christian would admire it on me. The way he would trace his fingers down my neck to the jewel that symbolized his love. “Take it. For his life.”
Sparrow’s eyes locked on the precious gem worth millions. But to me it meant more than money. He looked back at Viktor, who had pushed Lenore out of danger. “You would give that up to save him?”
“Yes. Just take it.”
As Sparrow sheathed his sword, the light vanished. He collected the gem and flicked a glance my way. “You’re certain? There’s no changing your mind for the trade.”
I clenched my hands into fists. “Leave him and Keystone alone.”
Sparrow waved his finger. “Not so fast. You only bargained for his life, not for the mansion.”
