Dominik runs his hand through his hair as he gazes at it. “The amulet of Életfa. All this time, I couldn’t place it. I couldn’t see what it was.” He fixes Damek with a glare. “Why?”
“It was Josephine’s,” he says quietly. “While I had it, I could never stay forever in hell, looking for her. Sooner or later, I’d have to come back.”
“So, when we thought you were coming to the gallery?”
“I was placing it there in the hope it could be used by your mate, rather than mine.”
“You planted it?” Dominik growls.
“I knew you’d like this game.” Damek grins. “Just like before we were turned.” He looks at me, and the smile gets wider. “Big brother always loved a puzzle.”
“How did you know it wouldn’t harm her?”
“Because it kept me safe in hell,” Damek says. “If Josephine had been wearing it the day she opened the vault, she would have been safe too.”
“And you don’t want to take it back to her?” I go to take the jewelry from around my neck.
“No. It will only get me thrown out again,” Damek says. “It has plenty of properties to keep you safe, sweet one,” he says with a background snarl from Dominik. “Keep it and use it wisely.”
The door from which we emerged earlier bangs open, and Dominik’s vampire guard march out, dragging the erstwhile vampire hunters. A set of dark vans pull up at the curb, and they are shoved inside. Attila appears with my uncle in tow. He protests but I ignore him.
It’s about time I could breathe freely again.
“What will happen to them?” I ask Dominik.
“The hunters will be put through a deprogramming regimen. It’s one we’ve had for a while, if you ever wondered where your fellow hunters went. I have a place in the country where they are most happy.”
I grit my teeth in a rictus smile. “We thought you’d eaten them…sorry.”
“I’m truly hurt.” Dominik puts his hand over his heart. “Like I’d feed from a hunter.” His gaze is heated.
“And my uncle?”
“He has some humans to answer to, ones who want to know what he’s been doing with their money,” Dominik says. “I expect it will keep him busy for some time.”
“Then he’ll come looking for me again.”
“He will not,” Dominik growls. “Because he knows what will be waiting for him if he does.”
“Where has the damn rogue gone?” Viktor growls, looking around following the distraction.
“I expect he’s gone back to hell.” I sigh. “I hope he finds her.”
“So do I.” Dominik folds me into him. “Because now I know what it’s like to nearly lose a mate, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
Lucy
“About this queen business….”Lydia is studying her fingernails, painted a blood red color she clearly thought was appropriate for what is essentially a vampire wedding.
“What about it?” I ask as Pirosca fusses around me.
“Lydia is terrified you’re going to make us call youyour highness.” Eliza giggles into her champagne.
“Never mind the wholequeenthing, I want to hear more about Strasbourg,” Grace demands. “What happened when you went to court. Were you scared?”
“Oh, yes!” Sophia sits up from where she’s laid on my bed. “It soundedterrifying.”
“I’ve been in court more times than you’ve had hot dinners,” I reply.
