“But… but she’s keeping him against his will!” I shut my piehole when Sabrina levels a deadly glare at me.
“I believe you, Ms. Harcourt. There is no doubt in my mind that you’ve been wronged and are telling the truth about Damien’s wishes. Unfortunately, vampire politics is a delicate thing. I can’t put the safety of my coven in jeopardy. Not for this.”
A lump forms in my throat. All the hope I’ve clung to when it came to this meeting collapses into a puddle of crushing disappointment.
“Cassius, although we can’t help you or your guest, it would be my pleasure of you and Ms. Harcourt would join Tobias and me for cocktails in my quarters before you leave. Your current dress is acceptable.”
He bows. “It would be our sincere pleasure. I’ll show her back.” He takes my elbow and starts leading me toward one of the tunnels. We walk a short distance, but when I’m sure we’re alone, I stop. Cassius, to his credit, doesn’t try to force me to keep moving.
“Do we have to stay?” I’m trembling. I lean against the wall for support. Disappointment, fear, and hopelessness collide within me. Everything feels heavy. Impossible. Bleak. “I’m not sure how long I can hide my feelings. You might have to watch me break down in front of your master. It won’t be pretty. If you knew how close I am to collapsing right now…” I wipe under my stinging eyes, my voice high and tight.
His big hand lands on my shoulder, and his face draws near to mine. I can barely hear his hushed whisper as he says, “Eloise, listen to me carefully. Sabrina and Tobias do not invite others to their table often. It’s so rare I can’t remember the last time it happened. I think we can presume there’s something she wants to tell us in private.”
I draw a sharp breath when I realize what he’s suggesting. Is it possible that Sabrina might offer a covert solution? I try not to allow hope to inflate within me again, but I can’t stop the swelling of my heart. I close my eyes and steady myself. “Thank you, Cassius. Thank you for bringing me here.”
He nods and leads me forward once more. We arrive at what could be a bank vault, a massive silver door guarded by a man in uniform.
“Good evening, Paul,” Cassius says. “We were invited?—”
The portly man coughs into his hand, his thick mustache wriggling with the effort. “They’re already inside, waiting for you.”
He stands and heaves open the door, which is, in fact, as thick as a bank vault’s. I gape in wonder as we enter a spacious, light-filled foyer of what could be a ritzy Chicago penthouse with twelve-foot ceilings and a marble floor. I’m still taking it all in when the door closes and locks behind us. My back is against the wall before I can take my next breath, my shoulders clasped in Tobias’s massive hands. The overwhelming scent of cinnamon and almonds hits me again, and I realize it’s him. He hovers over me, sapphire eyes blazing like an ancient death god ready to take my soul.
His lips peel back from his teeth as he asks, “Why does my brother’s blood run through your veins?”
16
Unexpected Reunion
ELOISE
“Wh-what?” I can’t find my voice.
Tobias is so close. So overwhelming. Although he isn’t hurting me, he could snap me like a twig.
Sabrina appears beside him, her green eyes blazing silvery blue. Her voice is soft as she asks, “What are you? Why do you taste like a dragon but smell like a witch?”
I blink rapidly. My mouth works, but no words come out. I’m too frightened to speak. All my throat muscles clench like they want to run and hide as much as I do. My bladder threatens to empty itself, and I gain control of it just in time. When I try to speak again, my voice sounds frayed.
“Give her space,” Cassius says kindly. “She was raised as a human. You’re scaring her senseless.”
“If she’s human, why can’t I compel her?” Sabrina demands, her perfectly manicured hand sweeping through the air as she paces behind Tobias.
“I said she was raised human. I’m sure Eloise will answer all your questions without compulsion. Allow her to breathe. She isn’t going anywhere.” Cassius places a supportive hand on my shoulder.
Slowly, Sabrina and Tobias back off, and I blow out my held breath. My thoughts whirl. But Cassius catches my eye, gives me a smile and an encouraging nod. As if after all that, I’m supposed to spill my darkest secrets. For fuck’s sake, my heart is in my throat and I almost wet myself! Where do I even start?
But with three creatures waiting expectantly, I find the words. These people are my last hope for getting Damien back. It makes no sense for me to hold back the little I know about my heritage or my magic.
“My mother was a witch,” I begin. “Descended from the Townsend witches from Oxfordshire, England. My father came from a long line of American spiritualists. When he met my mother, they joined the Order of the Dragon, a small coven outside London. Both drank dragon blood as part of their rituals. My mother drank it while she was pregnant with me. Both she and my father died with the Order’s sigil tattooed over their heart. I wear the same sigil on my back.” I unzip my puffer jacket, willing to show them, but Tobias holds up his hand.
He snorts. “Order of the Dragon, huh?”
I survey every detail of his reaction, bracing myself for disbelief or a string of follow-up questions.
But he only turns to Sabrina and breaks into laughter. “Nathaniel’s going to shit himself.”
“Nathaniel?” I ask.
