“What ‘services’ did you agree to provide over the next three months?”
I frown. I thought the terms were the same, but the truth is I didn’t read every word. “It’s the same. At least I think it’s the same.”
“Oh, Eloise.”
I rub Phantom’s fuzzy head. “I need to get inside the palace. I’ll never be able to challenge the queen from this room.”
The key jingles in the lock. “Hide. He’s here.”
The fox dissolves into nothing. I check that my daggers are in place before charging from the bathroom to stand where I usually do. I adjust my robe, tying the belt tighter. Standing is the best position to greet my guests. If I sit, the robe rides up. Eyes wander. Ideas are had. I never want to give the wrong impression. I fold my arms over my chest and wait for my palace tour guide to enter.
The vampire who walks through the door is older with skin like parchment and large, bulbous eyes that make him look like a nocturnal animal. His hair is thin, and he’s wearing a red hooded robe similar to a priest’s. He stops inside the door and stares at me awkwardly.
“Hi, I’m Eloise. What’s your name?”
He takes a step toward me, nostrils flaring. “Lazarus.” He draws out his name absently, studying me with a furrowed brow like he’s never seen a human before. He looks ancient. Maybe he can scent my special blood already.
“Well, Lazarus, Marabella says you can get me into the palace to search for my boyfriend after I feed you. Is that true?”
“Er, uh, yes. I’m a scribe in the palace library. I have unparalleled access and knowledge of every palace room.” The words tumble distractedly from his lips as he tips his head in contemplation of me. I’m not sure what’s bothering him, and I don’t care. I want to get this over with so we can find Damien.
I hold out my wrist to him. “I hope you don’t mind the wrist. My neck has had it for today.”
He takes my arm and runs his nose along it, then drops his hold on me, absolutely horrified. He staggers back a step.
“Do you want to feed first or not? We can get Marabella back in here. If you want someone else, it’s fine. I can get dressed and we can go when you’re done. You have the key, just go back to the front desk.”
The man doesn’t move, just stares at me, dumbfounded.
“You know what? Never mind, I can call for help.” I move to reach across the bed and tug the velvet cord.
“You’re her,” he says, stopping me in my tracks. I turn back toward him, a chill traveling through me.
“Excuse me?”
He takes a step toward me, those enormous eyes holding wonder and fear and something I might guess was disapproval. “I can smell him on you. You’re Damien’s mate.”
My hand lowers to trace the hilt of my dagger under the silk robe. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My voice cracks. A muscle in my jaw twitches. I feel the connection between Phantom and me snap into place. If I have to, I will burn this vampire to ash. I will cut off his head, steal the key, and take my chances in the streets of Night Haven.
But he holds up both hands. “You’re right to be wary. No one else would know, you understand. It’s only he’s my best friend, and I’m an old vampire with a highly developed sense of smell. Shades have a distinct odor compared to vampires. It’s there, in your blood.” He coughs. “Under all the other scents.”
That disapproving look is back, and I get it now. This is Damien’s friend, and he’s probably appalled to see me working here. Tears come to my eyes at the hope that it’s true, that it might be possible that this vampire is on Damien’s side. On our side.
“I had to get into Night Haven,” I say, voice cracking.
“Oh dear, don’t cry. He wouldn’t want you to cry. Your secret is safe with me, only I wouldn’t put your trust in anyone else. You’ve taken a terrible risk coming here. There’s a price on your head.” He tugs a Kleenex out of the box on my desk and hands it to me, and just like that, I decide I have to trust him. I have to know what he knows.
“Is Damien still alive? Do you know where he is?”
Lazarus’s wrinkled face turns serious. “He’s alive, but?—”
“Take me to him,” I say excitedly.
But he shakes his head. “She’s cursed him with a blood bond. If she doesn’t kill you herself, she’ll order him to do it, and he won’t be able to refuse her. Oh, he told me he’d been fighting her, distracting her to avoid giving up your name. If she knew you were here, right next to the palace, I hate to think of the diabolical things she’d do to you or to him.”
Crushing despair makes it hard to breathe. A blood bond with Valeska? She must have forced him to take her blood. Who knows what else she’s forced him to do? And what has Damien done to distract her from me? I swallow down bile as my stomach churns at the thought of her hands on him. I squeeze my eyes closed. I can forgive whatever he’s done. We can put it behind us. But now that I know he’s bonded to her, it’s not enough for me to challenge her. I also need to break that bond.
“How do I break the blood bond?”
