Still, it was a long jump from his power sensing my spying to realizing I was a magic breaker. One of the rare few who could literally see the currents of magic woven into our world—and influence them.
I still didn’t quite know all that a magic breaker could do. But one thing was clear—there were a lot of people who would go to extreme lengths to get their hands on me.
If that didn’t work, they’d end my existence before anyone else had the chance to put me under their control.
I needed to be a lot stronger before that happened.
While I was distracted with my thoughts, the strangers had reached the floor in front of Thomas.
The leader took a last step, positioning him in front of his companions before sinking into a bow that managed to seem mocking. “Dominick Caecilius, first progeny of Vitus Caecilius, also known as the Imperator of the legions and a member of the council that rules all, greets the Master of this territory.”
Thomas’s face remained impassive as the stranger straightened with a flourish. Only those who knew him well would see the anger he was trying to hide.
Something about these vampires made him cautious.
Thomas’s voice sounded in my mind.Do not let Connor interfere.
I blinked at the unexpected intrusion, since every indication pointed to Thomas’s attention being focused solely on his guests.
The warning made me aware of Connor’s unnatural stillness. He’d fallen into a sort of stasis. There was no blinking. No breathing.
Despite his immobility, I got a sense of rage. He was on the edge of something very bad.
I touched his wrist. “Remember your promise. You said you wouldn’t leave my side.”
The words broke Connor’s trance. His gaze cut to me for a split second that nearly made my heart stop.
The fury I saw. It was terrifying.
Then he blinked and it was like all those emotions went away. Once again buried.
“I remember, Aileen,” he whispered.
Despite his words, I didn’t feel reassured. Especially when he went back to staring at Dominick with that fixed expression.
Whatever Dominick had done, Connor wanted vengeance. I wasn’t sure I could stop him either.
With that uneasy thought, I tuned back into the conversation.
“You’ve strayed quite a way from your hunting grounds,” Thomas intoned. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”
If Dominick caught the implied rebuke, he didn’t let it show, flashing a condescending smirk instead. “You know how these things go. The master makes his desires known, and it is my pleasure to obey.”
Thomas’s eyes narrowed the faintest bit, anger tightening his features before they smoothed back into placid lines.
“I’m curious as to what important matter inspired you to impose so rudely on the evening’s festivities,” Thomas drawled, a slight bite in his voice. “You gave no notice of your arrival nor requested permission for entry into my territory. If I was a less amiable man, I would be demanding your head right now. Tell me why I should refrain.”
“My apologies, Lord.” Dominick touched his chest and bowed his head. “The hunt for our prey has led us further afield than we expected. There wasn’t time to go through the proper channels to gain your authorization. That’s why we’ve come before you now. To request your permission for our presence and to ask your forbearance as we conduct the duties assigned to us by the council we both serve.”
I was impressed with how well Dominick had boxed Thomas into a corner. It was a masterful piece of manipulation. Not only did he give a plausible excuse for circumventing protocol but he also made it nearly impossible for Thomas to deny him entry.
Thomas’s jaw flexed. “I’m interested to know what manner of prey merits the attention of Vitus’s dog.”
Dominick put a regretful expression on his face that didn’t match the flat look in his eyes. “I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to say.”
Thomas’s unhappiness at that response sent a cold blast of air through the room. “Is that so?”
Dominick remained unafraid, almost irreverent as he inclined his chin. “It is.”
