Karson didn’t answer. He lifted the glass to his lips and took a sip, his eyes flicking back to Amelia. She was laughing at something Ethan said and the whole room lit up.
Jacque leaned closer and murmured, “Rodney has been asking a lot of questions.”
Rodney was the keeper of vampire laws; he was the judge and his crew the executioners when it was required. It was not a surprise that he was asking questions.
“He’s particularly interested in a girl, so I’ve been told. A girl that is residing with you.”
Karson bristled, something akin to panic flickering in his chest, but he kept his body relaxed. Was Rodney trying to find out who Amelia was? If he was interested, he would stop at nothing to get all the answers. Answers that would crush Amelia.
Truths he’d kept buried to keep her safe. Secrets that were slithers of rain in an ocean compared to the depth of love they had found.
And yet, each one had the power to drown her.Drown him.
No, he shook the thought away. No one could find out. Rodney might be the king of laws, but Karson was the king of vampires for a reason.
“That’s true, I have been asking questions.” Rodney sidled up behind them, making Jacque flinch. Jacque was lethal when hewas forced to be, but he abhorred violence. Unlike Rodney, who reveled in the power he had. “I was scouring town trying to find a certain runaway.”
A breath of relief fluttered from Karson’s lips before he could stop it. Rodney didn’t notice, he was too busy staring at Georgie dancing with Josh. “It turns out some women are immune to Karson’s charms.”
“I struggle to believe that to be true.” Jacque’s teeth flashed. “I take it you found her?”
“Of course.”
“Jacque.” An attractive redhead rushed over. She was human, the scent of her blood, like nectar, drifted to his nose. She leaned in and murmured in his ear, “We have a little issue in one of the relax rooms. A couple of vampires have fed on humans until they passed out, and one is not in a great way.”
Jacque lifted his eyes to the heavens. “For the love of creation, where’s security?”
She grimaced. “Busy with another small hiccup.”
“Excuse me, gentlemen.” Jacque inclined his head in a show of respect. “I have a few vampires who are about to have my boot firmly up their sorry asses.”
Karson chuckled, watching as Jacque strode across the room, the redhead scurrying after him.
Amelia wobbled as Ethan spun her, and he fought back a smile. Envy pinched beneath his ribs. He yearned to be the one to spin her, to hold her in his arms, to come together like the tune and verse of the song.
“You know, if you keep staring at her like that, the whole room is going to think you care for the witch.”
Until Rodney spoke, Karson didn’t realize he was lost in the vision of her. His gut twisted, but he kept his tone smooth as he dragged his gaze away. “There is little point pretending to care about her if she does not believe it to be true.”
A slither of rain.
Rodney took a sip of whiskey. “What do you need her for?”
The last thing he wanted was for Rodney to start digging. He needed to shut him down now. “You are one of my oldest and most trusted friends, and you will find out if and when you need to. Until that time, you shouldtrustthat everything I do is for a valid reason and is for our species,” he replied, a flare of warning in his tone. “Or do you forget I am king and it is I who gave you your position of power and could just as easily take it away?”
It was a low blow and it struck. Rodney’s jaw hardened. “I do not forget, but you seem to forget I am on your side and only want to helpyou.”
“I do not need help with a mere witch.” Karson retreated a little, forcing a smile. “And I can assure you, you will be the first I will ask if I do.”
“It would be my pleasure to assist you.” Rodney bobbed his head. “Your command is mine to follow and I will ensure others do the same.”
As he said them, the words stormed through his mind, coming to life inside him. Slotting back into place like long-forgotten pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
The humans had the numbers, but they were weak. Witches had their tricks, but they were not immortal. Vampires, however, were immortal and lethal. Firstborns were able to turn many more to their side, and while they usually respected each other’s space and stayed apart, they would come together if need be.
He was the king of vampires, for God’s sake. The most lethal of them all. No one, not witch, not human, would control what he did. No one told him what to do. They would not keep him from the woman he loved.
Loved.
