Black crawled across the whites of his eyes as he glanced at me, his lips parting on an inhale. Fascination flitted over his features before it disappeared along with the shadows that had bled into his eyes.
“You needn’t have bothered with the happy meals.” He eyed the humans among us with a half-smile. “I wouldn’t have denied you hunting privileges. There are plenty of blood dens.”
“I find it more convenient to have sustenance on hand,” Thomas said smoothly.
A thoughtful look settled on Connor’s face as he shifted to take in his father’s profile.
Thomas’s smile was a touch less polite than it had been a few seconds ago. “Shall we get this over with?”
If I hadn’t made a practice of studying him and his smallest expressions in an effort to protect myself, I wouldn’t have picked up on the faint signs that something about the mention of blood dens had upset him.
The djinn inclined his head. “By all means.”
Power blanketed the hangar.
Suddenly, Thomas’s mild-mannered façade was gone. A merciless predator in its place.
It was hard not to fold under the crushing pressure of his aura. Fear was an instinctive reaction. As was the desire to submit. To throw myself prone on the ground and hope the monster in front of me spared my life.
Locking my knees, I forced myself to breathe through it, knowing any loss of dignity would reflect poorly on my sire.
Normally, I couldn’t care less. Thomas and how others perceived him had nothing to do with me. This time was different, however. Right now, we were in enemy territory and couldn’t afford the slightest flaw. It left me with no choice but to play these stupid power games.
Also, my pride would never allow me to bow. Not to Thomas. Not to anyone.
Thomas looked almost bored as he began. “The master of the Midwest territories requests entrance into this city and the immediate surrounding area.”
The djinn was quick to answer. “Consider your request accepted. Hunting rights are also yours. As long as you make no attempt at subverting the city’s master, you and yours will see no harm by our hands.”
The subtle tension that had characterized the exchange evaporated as those on both sides relaxed.
The djinn nodded at Thomas. “Now that the formalities are taken care of, I hope you’ll enjoy your stay.”
“We’ll be sure to do that.”
“Will you be residing on the strip this time?” the djinn inquired, his expression open and harmless.
Thomas’s hesitation was faint before he answered. “I’ve made alternative arrangements.”
The djinn tilted his head. “Nevertheless, I think I’ll reserve a set of suites just in case you change your mind. The attractions on the strip aren’t to be missed. Especially for first time visitors.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the way Thomas stiffened. Something in the djinn’s comment making him wary.
“That would be much appreciated,” Thomas said with an ease that made me think I’d imagined his agitation. “My youngest brought a few friends along. I’m sure they’d appreciate staying so close to everything.”
Very smooth.
With just a few words, he’d managed to separate me from the wolves. All without having to lift a finger himself.
I forced a smile, wishing I could kill Thomas. “What a great idea. I could even stay there with them. It’d certainly save time on the commute. From what I’ve heard, Vegas traffic is a bitch.”
Bonus—it would get me out from under Thomas’s eye.
Yes, I liked this more and more.
“I’m afraid not, my dear. I’d like the family to stay together on this trip. You can play with your friends all you’d like, but at the end of the night, I want you under my roof.” Thomas smile was unyielding. “For your protection, of course.”
With how carefully the djinn was watching our exchange I had no choice but to give in.
