“Trembling,” he muses. “I thought you were braver than that. Dance with me.”
I raise one eyebrow. “Why would I dance with you?”
“Because you’re curious. You’re impulsive. And you can’t help but wonder what it is I want with you.”
I hate that he’s right. Shaking my head, I let him lead me away from the wall.
The atmosphere has turned darker while I was dancing with Tiernon. Rorrik twirls me, and everywhere I look, vampires feed onmundanes—and the occasional sigilmarked. A bulky vampire sits on a chair near the door, a sigilmarked in his lap, his hand buried beneath her long gown as she writhes, her head thrown back. His dark eyes meet mine as he drinks from her, eyes blurred.
Near the wide, open doors, Orna presses a novice to the wall, her fangs buried in his neck. He clutches her to him as ifhe’sworriedshe’llescape, his eyes squeezed closed, mouth hanging open.
“Like what you see?” Rorrik’s voice is a caress. It’s sweat-dampened skin and tangled silk sheets.
“Of course not.”
He lets out a mocking laugh, which I valiantly ignore.
“I know why you’re here, little novice.”
Novice.The word is startling. I keep forgetting that’s what I am. For now. “What do you mean?” Maybe … maybe he knows I’m bonded to Bran. If so, maybe I can convince him to tell Tiernon.
“I know you’re planning to kill my father.”
My mouth falls open and he smiles, pressing one finger to the bottom of my chin and tipping it back up.
“I knoweverything.”
“Are you going to kill me?” My words are the barest whisper.
“No. Your goals currently align with mine.”
“You want your father dead? … Oh.” Of course he does. If the emperor dies, Rorrik will take the throne.
His eyes pin me in place, and a strange sense of anticipation fills me. There’s nothing casual about Rorrik. Everything he does is filled with intent. And when he looks at me like this, it’s as if he’s looking deep within my mind. Deep within my soul. It’s dangerous.He’sdangerous.
Dangerous enough that I shouldn’t trust him. This could all be a trap.
“Still suspicious?” Rorrik’s eyes gleam. “Do you know what the emperor was doing directly before this ball, little rabbit?”
Of course I don’t.
“My father was attending a consilium, where he removed me as his chosen heir, allowing him to deprive me of my birthright if he chooses.”
And that would mean the throne would revert to his younger brother—currently at the front. I may not know much about Rorrik,but it’s evident he’s not a man who would release his grasp on power without a fight.
“What are you suggesting?” I ask.
He expertly turns us with the music, steering me toward a darkened corner.
“I’m suggesting we work together,” Rorrik murmurs in my ear, pulling me close. His breath drifts across my skin and I shiver. “I’m suggesting I show you exactly where to hide and wait so you can kill my father, while I will be in clear sight of numerous witnesses. As will all of my most trusted people.”
“And after?”
“I’ll create a distraction, which will allow you to flee. You’ll hear bells ringing for the guards.”
“If your father changed the law of succession, you won’t necessarily become emperor.”
A languid shrug. “Nowthatis to be determined. He may have changed the law, but he hasn’t named a new successor.” A manic gleam enters his eyes. “At the very least, it will be interesting. And you’ll have achieved your goal.”
