“You mean if not for your own actions.”
Thomas wasn’t the type to sacrifice a useful pawn just because his yearling disliked the person. Kat wasn’t as effective at her job as she pretended to be. Otherwise, she’d still be there.
“You’re the one who challenged me and lost,” I continued. “You not only went against the Master of the City, you got trounced by a vampire not out of her first decade. You tied Sofia’s hands.”
She’d had no choice but to demote Kat. To do otherwise would have called Sofia’s leadership into question and her people would have accused her of playing favorites.
The fact Sofia only demoted her from her position as successor was a kindness that showed how much the Matriarch cared for Kat. In time, Kat could have worked her way back up.
Her impatience had now cost her. And for what? Revenge?
“None of that matters now.” Dominick slid a hand around Kat’s waist, drawing her into his body. “As my guide, she’s one of mine now. I’m sure no one would dare object to that.”
Kat flinched at the kiss he pressed against her cheek. The tension in her body reminded me of a wild animal braced to flee. The distressed sound that escaped Kat made Dominick smile. His fangs peeked from between his lips, a sign of arousal.
Bastard.
“You haven’t been given hunting rights to this city,” Liam said.
Nathan’s teasing smile vanished, leaving a stone-cold killer in his eyes. Anton slipped one hand into his jacket, where I suspected a weapon was concealed.
The enforcers moved to flank Dominick and Kat, their presence a silent threat as the tension in the room ratcheted up.
Dominick’s tongue flicked out to touch the side of Kat’s neck, drawing out a whimper. “That doesn’t apply to vampires or when the blood is freely given.” There was a challenge in his gaze as he looked at Liam, not moving his lips from Kat’s neck. “You’re a willing participant. Aren’t you, my darling?”
Kat throat worked as she swallowed. “Yes.”
Dominick placed a gentle kiss over her artery. “Very good, my precious. You’ve learned well.”
“Thank you,” Kat gritted out.
“See, Liam. No rules have been broken.”
Liam’s jaw flexed.
Something about the situation infuriated him, but I couldn’t tell what.
Nathan shook his head at me, making a small gesture to wait.
“Why are you here, Dominick?” Liam asked in a hard voice.
“One of the vampires I brought with me is missing. My lovely companion got word he was last spotted in this section of the city.” The vampire set his chin on Kat’s shoulder. “Imagine my surprise when I arrived to find he’d already been murdered by a hunter.”
I straightened away from the bar, losing my nonchalance.
Surprise. Right. Could anyone say set up?
I certainly could. Liam’s tight expression said he could too. The fact I’d added a hunter to those stalking me no longer seemed unusual. If Natalia’s information that some hunters worked with the council was to be believed, he definitely had the contacts to arrange our current problems.
Dominick probably didn’t even care that his hunter was dead. With his position, it wouldn’t be hard to send more my way.
He could just keep them coming until one got lucky.
Liam’s body had gone rigid with the same realization.
Dominick’s smile widened as Liam snarled. “Oh ho, someone is feeling a touch sensitive.”
I grabbed Liam’s arm, concerned at how taut his muscles were. They were wound tighter than a wire, likely to snap at the smallest provocation. “Liam, he’s doing this on purpose. Don’t let him win.”
