It made me feel underdressed in my jeans and a simple top covered in blood, especially when heads turned to follow our progress to the middle of the room.
A small knot had formed there. Thomas and Stephen stood next to a trio that involved the Asian man from the gala, the one who had ordered Liam to solve Robert’s murder. His eyes were nearly black as he watched us approach.
At his side was a woman who only came up to my chest. Her hair was pulled back from her face, revealing creamy skin that only the very young had. Her breasts were underdeveloped and her face so very youthful. She had to have been a teenager when she was turned.
The third in their trio was a tall man, with eyes a piercing amber and skin the color of deepest night. Three faint scars marred his jaw giving him a sinister look.
A space surrounded the trio as if the gathered were afraid to get too close. They wore their authority as another person might wear clothes.
Thomas’s face was guarded, giving me no hint of his thoughts as he watched us stop in front of the three. I noticed Aidan at his side, holding a wine glass filled with a dark red liquid. His face was bored, but I could see the sharp interest lurking behind the mask.
Liam stopped in front of the three, giving a sharp nod and the faintest beginnings of a bow. Nathan’s bow was deeper. I stopped a few steps behind Liam and Nathan, not wanting to draw more attention than I had to.
“Councilors Jabari, Tse and Sophia.” Liam gave a nod to each one.
The woman’s attention shifted to me. “Is this her, then? The little lost child.”
“It is,” Liam answered.
I found myself the center of attention, their regard almost a physical weight. I held still, feeling like I was the focus of a trio of apex predators. The sort that could end me without even meaning to.
Tse turned to Liam. “You smell of death and demon.”
“We were able to track the one responsible for Robert’s death. The one responsible had made a deal with a demon.”
His interest sharpened. “A demon tainted vampire shouldn’t have been strong enough to compel Robert to take his own head.”
“Perhaps it would be best to take this conversation somewhere private,” Liam said.
Tse bowed his head in agreement and turned to stride to a door. The crowd parted as Tse, the other two and Thomas and Aidan followed. Not knowing what else to do with myself, I stayed in place until Nathan grabbed my arm and propelled me after the group.
I shrugged him off and trailed behind, wishing I could be anywhere but here. Following a bunch of lions into their den didn’t seem like the sort of life plan that guaranteed a long eternity.
They led us into an office, one with a heavy wood desk and dark furnishings. There were several paintings on the wall, the kind that said these people used to be important. And rich.
The door closed behind us.
Tse circled the desk and sat behind it while Jabari took up a position against a wall and Sophia found a seat on one of the chaise lounges.
I hung back, not wanting to get involved. These did not seem like the type of people I wanted taking an unhealthy interest in me. Flying below the radar was the best plan.
Liam and Nathan advanced to the middle of the room while Aidan, Thomas and Stephen spread out. Aidan lounged in a chair, his posture relaxed as he expressed a mild interest. Thomas chose to stand, taking a position against a wall and listening attentively.
Stephen took up a position just to the left of the desk, his focus intent on Liam. It was a position of power, one that said he was only second to Tse. It was not a position I would have expected from an applicant. Not yet anyway. To my knowledge they hadn’t chosen the new master.
My left eye decided to act up, giving me a glimpse at what magic lay below the surface. Liam was his normal electric blue, the intensity stronger than that of Nathan and Aidan’s colors. The three counselors, as Liam referred to them, looked to be just a tiny bit more powerful than Liam. It was kind of like staring into the sun too long, their powers nearly blinding my left eye and leaving black spots.
I looked away and blinked, fighting the urge to cover that eye.
Jabari’s attention shifted to me and I stilled, not wanting to make myself seem any more suspicious than I already was. Something told me that revealing the fact I could see the magic resting in these people would be hazardous to both my health and my freedom.
I could think of a lot of scenarios where someone with that skill might come in handy. I needed to keep this new ability under wraps unless my life was in imminent danger.
I tuned back into the conversation as Liam explained how Elinor had been behind the contract with the demon.
“Her power always leaned toward compulsion,” Tse was saying. “If she had made a deal, it would make sense that her ability would be amplified by the demon’s taint. It might be strong enough to overwhelm Robert. Especially if she was able to override the will of someone close to him and gain leverage that way.”
“You were able to overcome this compulsion?” Sophia asked in a lilting voice.
