Dominick’s expression was coldly furious. “The human was present during a vampire’s death. She could be a witness. She’s also unclaimed. You have no grounds to protect her, and I have every right to interrogate her to see what she knows.”
“This is an internal matter,” Liam said evenly. “You’re here on council business. Not to interfere with the way our territory is run.”
Dominick gave him a disbelieving look. “You call the death of my vampire an ‘internal matter.’”
“Do you have any proof that the vampire outside is yours?”
That would be a big fat no. The fire had destroyed the vampire’s features. Identification was impossible unless they matched his dental records or DNA. Neither of which they could do standing here.
Check mate.
It was so satisfying watching Liam do this to someone other than me.
“Whether he’s mine or not, you can’t deny hunter involvement,” Dominick snapped. “Standing orders from the council give me priority in such matters.”
Liam’s hand touched my waist, his touch a gentle caress along my rib cage. “I’m interested to know your reasoning for concluding this was done by a hunter. As far as we know, the deceased is human. There’s been no evidence to support hunter presence.” Liam paused to arch an eyebrow at Dominick. “Unless there’s something you know, that we don’t?”
Dominick froze, an impenetrable wall dropping down over his expression. “Of course not.”
Ah ha. Got you, you bastard.
Without being able to claim the vampire as his or proving a hunter presence, he didn’t have a justification for his attack on Jenna.
And he’d been so arrogant earlier.
“Also, the claim of the human woman being unattached is wrong. She belongs to another and as such you can’t touch her without their consent.”
Dominick’s expression faltered as his gaze shot to me. “Impossible.”
I almost nodded in agreement.
“Look again,” Liam advised.
Dominick twisted to stare at Jenna.
My sister’s expression showed confusion as she glanced my way. “What’s going on, Lena?”
“Shh,” I shushed her. “It’ll be over soon.”
I hoped.
Fury lite Dominick’s expression before his gaze swung to Kat in accusation.
Kat shook her head. “I didn’t know. I swear.”
I frowned. What were they talking about?
“You didn’t know the human belonged to the Master of the City?” Dominick demanded.
A jolt ran through me. Liam tightened the arm around my waist, not letting me push away from him.
I searched his expression. Please let this be a ruse.
“Without evidence on your side and with the human’s claimed status settled, you have overstepped.” Liam’s gaze moved to the door. “Wouldn’t you agree, Master of the City?”
thirteen
“Icouldn’tagreemore,deartháir,” Thomas purred. The barrier used to hide his approach fell. His power flooded the room.
