Me too. “G’night, Grams.”
26
Cassius
DAMIEN
Business to attend to. It isn’t a lie exactly, but also not the full truth. I need a break from Eloise, or I’m likely to consume her. Seeing her on her knees with my cock in her mouth made me feel like a god, and I, of all creatures, have no business feeling that way. I’m a monster cursed to serve other monsters, and unless something changes, that’s all I’ll ever be.
Problem is my feelings for her are as monstrous as I am, and I’m afraid they’ve outgrown their cage. What I need now more than anything is a confidant, and I know where to find one.
I manifest outside Cassius’s Chicago brownstone, thankful my friend and fellow shade answered the call I sent him down our shadow bond. Cassius was once Stygarde’s commander. Along with squad leader, Morpheus, we fought side by side in the battle for Dimhollow, so closely that we were dragged through the rift together. I trust him with my life.
The door opens before I have a chance to knock, and the lithe figure of a dark-skinned man appears in the doorway, his smile reaching all the way to his equally dark eyes. “I felt you down the shadows. They ripple with your distress. Gods, Damien, your energy feels like a coming earthquake.”
I sag in the doorway. “I’m afraid the disaster has already happened. I need your advice, old friend.”
“Come in. I’m great with advice, just as long as I don’t have to follow my own.” He chuckles as he smooths a hand over his hair, longer on top and fading to bare scalp near his neck. He flips on the lights in the foyer even though neither of us needs them to see. Living topside requires certain accommodations to appear human. Lights are one of them. Our human forms are another.
“You look like you’ve been training,” I say, noting the man’s exceptionally lethal appearance.
“Thanks for noticing. Actually yes. I’ve accepted a position as commander of the Chicago vampire coven’s guard. The master here is serious about defending her city. Even has a witch on her payroll.” Cassius pauses inside a neatly arranged living room near the front of the house. “Can I get you a drink?”
“The stronger, the better.”
“I have just the thing.” He flows to a bar built into the far wall of the room, shadows clinging to him as he moves. “I think I know why you’re here,” he says as he tongs ice into two glasses and fills them with generous pours of Reyka vodka. “You’ve been tapped by the queen, haven’t you?”
I snort. “Good guess. She did call me in, but, as you know, my curse prevents me from serving as her consort… thank the gods.”
Cassius laughs and hands me my drink. We sink into leather chairs positioned perfectly around a glass coffee table in a rather austere room. Everything in its place. Just like Cassius. The shade is the most meticulous creature I’ve ever met.
“Use caution with Valeska, Damien. Even your curse may not be enough to dissuade her. She’s hellbent on expanding the hive.”
“Hive, yes, I noticed she used that terminology instead of coven.”
“It started when her predecessor chose to use Queen instead of Master. That opened the door.”
“Technically, Valeska is a queen. When Night Haven conquered the Blood Mark coven, she earned the royal title. More than one Master has bowed to her.”
“Yes, but Valeska won’t stop there. Her lust for power is endless.”
“I sense that too.”
“You represent the ultimate opportunity to her. As a shade, not only could you provide her better protection than any vampire in existence, but also an alternative to feeding on humans. Imagine how useful that would be for her. Feeding is a source of vulnerability for any vampire.”
“So, I gathered when she fed from me without my consent.”
Cassius gives a disapproving hiss.
“I have no interest in serving as her blood bag, and I’m guessing you don’t either, given that you’re here.”
“Insightful of you.” He wags a finger. “I left before I could be invited to apply for the job and am now under the protection of the Chicago master. Morpheus left too.”
“I’m aware. Ran into him at Bad Witches Club, and hehas no regrets about performing the triune bond or his newfound abilities to walk in the sun.” I take a long sip of my drink, wishing it had a stronger effect on my constitution. My conversation with Morpheus had been enlightening. The shade accepted the bond immediately after receiving Valeska’s invitation.
“Which means you are her last hope and her first choice.” Cassius scowls.
“I am no choice.” I lift my brows. “It’s a moot point. If a Gowdie witch commands me to kill her, I’ll be helpless but to comply. The Queen understands this.”
