Focusing on her salad, Rowan hastily filled her mouth. Never had she shared what she was openly with someone she didn’t completely trust. It could never end well. Dragons weren’t from this planet. Her blood and scales could be used for magical purposes. Every person who knew put her at risk. Hell, at this point, she wasn’t happy with herself for telling Verinetti.
Michael’s fork hit his plate. “Oh, I don’t think we need to keep secrets from Malvern, my sweet. I think he’d be excited to learn there’s a one-of-a-kind shifter beside him.”
A buzz of fear started between her ears, like wasps had taken up residence in her skull. What did he think he was doing? Surely Michael wouldn’t reveal her secret. They had a history, and she’d kept her end of the bargain tonight. Besides, what would he get out of it?
Malvern finished his blood and set the empty bowl down on the middle of the gold charger in front of him. “One of a kind? Now I am intrigued. Does that mean you’ve never met another shifter like Rowan, Michael, or there are no others like her?”
Michael looked down his nose at her, his expression smug. She felt his hand on her own beneath the table. The touch was a question. It didn’t take a mind reader to know what he was thinking. If she returned his touch, he would keep her secret. If she pulled away, he’d tell Malvern she was a dragon. She hated Verinetti in that moment with a red-hot rage that seemed to scald her from the inside out. Defiantly, she ignored his touch.
“I’m not all that special,” she said, raising an eyebrow in Malvern’s direction.
“Oh, I disagree,” Malvern said. “You’ve already proven yourself to be a unique specimen. Now tell me, Rowan, what are you?”
Michael’s touch shifted higher on her leg.
She dug her nails into his skin and shoved his hand away from her. Glaring at Michael, she shook her head. “Nothing worth sharing.”
Verinetti’s expression turned hard and ice cold. “You’re too modest. Rowan is a dragon.”
The room went absolutely silent. Malvern’s small eyes rounded to the size of saucers before his expression took on the quality of carved marble. He snapped his fingers, and Lurch appeared beside him. He whispered something in his ear. Rowan could barely make out what he said but thought she heard the wordsmessageandhigh priority.
Once the servant had left his side, Malvern stood from the table and held his hand out to her. “Rowan, may I speak with you privately for a moment?” He offered her a reassuring smile.
She glanced at Michael, who leaned back in his chair and grinned at her. That bastard. Rowan had to stop herself from openly growling at him. Later, she’d make sure he paid for this. For now, this was a situation that required diplomacy.
She slipped her hand into Malvern’s icy grip. With a gentle tug, he led her into a private study. Once the door was secured behind him, he turned to her.
“I hope you will forgive me for interrupting dinner, but you seemed uncomfortable talking about what you are in public. Is it true? Are you a dragon? Or do you mean a komodo dragon?” He tapped his nose. “That is why I smell alligator. You transform into a lizard.”
Glancing toward her toes, she said, “No. I am a dragon. The kind that flies.” She hated this, but there was something she needed from him, and clearly he found what she was interesting. Perhaps they could make a deal.
“Extraordinary.”
“Now that you know, I wonder if we could discuss some business related to your taking up residence in Manhattan.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What do you have in mind?”
“As a dragon, I could be of use to your coven. I am very powerful and know Manhattan like no other supernatural. Verinetti isn’t the only game in town.”
“You are proposing an alliance?”
“I only ask for one thing in return. There’s a building in the Upper West Side near Morningside Heights, the home of Sunrise House community center. You’ve purchased the land beneath it. I’d like to buy it back from you. I’ll give you double what you paid if you’ll agree.”
He rubbed his hands together and seemed to contemplate her offer. “Can I interest you in some wine?”
“Yes, I’d love some.” Straightening, she tried to appear as if she made five such deals before breakfast.
“That building is of strategic importance to my coven. Its loss would be a serious inconvenience. How can I be certain you are as powerful as you say?”
She shrugged. “You’ll have to take my word for it. I can’t shift here. The room is too small.”
“Your blood. I can tell by your blood. Give me a taste, and if the magic running through your veins is as strong and powerful as you say it is, I will consider your offer.” He didn’t wait for her reply before gathering a wineglass and a small knife from the bar.
She offered her arm. There was a fast strike and then a spurt of hot blood. Bright red liquid splashed into his glass before her flesh healed itself.
He held it up and clinked it against her wineglass. “To new acquaintances and powerful alliances.”
Overjoyed that her plan had worked, Rowan tipped her head in a gesture of camaraderie, then brought the wine to her lips and took a drink, as did Malvern.
