Rolling onto her side, she stretched with a yawn. “Lana and Zabriel have been conducting a secret romance for three years. This isn’t just a political marriage—they’re genuinely in love.”
That got his attention. He turned to face her as he unbuttoned his shirt, his crimson eyes sharp with interest. “Are you certain?”
“Absolutely. And it changes everything about tomorrow’s power dynamics.” She cracked her spine, glad to finally be out from under Monica’s appearance. “If they’ve been planningthis alliance for years rather than months, they’ve had time to build networks, establish loyalties, position themselves for what comes after.”
“After they eliminate the current leadership…” Raziel murmured, tossing his shirt aside.
“What did you learn from Mael?”
“That we’re not the only ones planning surprises for tomorrow.” He gestured at the thick folder on the dresser. “You were right about that seamstress. Mael thinks that fae are trying to infiltrate the wedding.”
Getting up, Nadi walked across the room to the folder, not caring that she was stark naked. It was nothing Raziel hadn’t seen or enjoyed many times already.
Flipping over the folder, she found the document she was interested in. Scanning it quickly, her blood went cold. The Nostroms had been monitoring increased fae activity in the outer cities forweeks.
Communication patterns suggesting coordination between normally isolationist clans. Reports of strangers asking questions about vampire security protocols. Smuggling routes.
Including puttingunsanctioned and uncontrolledescortsin and out for the night of the wedding. “This is why he wanted Braen’s ledger. He wants to know who is coming in and going out of the city, who is smuggling them, who is helping buy them.”
“Which raises the question,” his hand on her shoulder turned her to face him, “do you know anything about this?”
The question hung between them like a blade. Nadi met his gaze steadily, knowing that her answer would determine whether he still trusted her or began to see her as another threat to neutralize.
“No. I’ve had no business with any fae clans since I arrived in the metropolis. My people don’t know where I am or what I’mdoing.” She glared up at him. “My last contact with my family was when I killed Luciento to get to you, unless you forgot.”
“But if theydoshow up tomorrow,” he shifted to trap her between him and the dresser, “where would your loyalties lie?”
It was the question she’d been dreading, the one that struck at the heart of her conflicted feelings. She’d spent decades planning revenge against the Nostroms, but now she was sleeping in her enemy’s bed, sharing his secrets, protecting his life.
Killing her estranged uncle was one thing.
Betraying herwhole peoplewas another.
“I don’t know.” It was another honest answer. “But I know this—the fae aren’t organized. That’s the only thing that’s ever stopped them from coming together to overthrow the vampires. The clans are too divided, too insular. But if they everdidwork together? If their hatred of each other was ever second to their hatred of the city? The walls around the metropolis would fall. The Wild would take over in a heartbeat.”
“And all that we’ve worked for would dissolve, and all the humans would die. Vampire society would collapse.” Raziel studied her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. “I can assume we have a common interest in ensuring that doesn’t happen, then?”
She paused. “Yeah.” Though, sometimes, she wasn’t so sure that wasn’t the ultimate right answer. Burn it all down. Start over. But it was a pipe dream. She changed the subject. “Mael has positioned you perfectly for tomorrow, hasn’t he? Security detail means access to restricted areas, freedom to move throughout the venue.”
“And authority to act on any identified threats as I see fit.” He huffed a laugh, his hand settling on her naked hip. “Though I suspect he might be hoping I’ll identifyyouas one of them.”
“Or that’s what Lana is telling him.” Nadi furrowed her brow. “The question is, does Mael suspect me of anything?”
“Everyone in this family suspects everyone. The question is of what and how much.” Raziel gathered the security documents into a neat pile. “He made a point of telling me to keep a close eye on you tomorrow. Said you might be ‘particularly attractive to those who would wish us harm.’”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning he either suspects you’re not what you seem, or he’salsoplanning to use you as bait to draw out whoever is working against us.” Raziel’s expression darkened. “Either way, you’ll be a target.”
Nadi felt the familiar weight of being hunted, the sensation that had driven her for so many years. But this time, it was different. This time, she wasn’t alone.
“Or, perhaps,” a devilish grin tugged at the corners of Raziel’s mouth, “he’s simply hoping to interrogate you…”
Rolling her eyes, she shoved his chest, trying to nudge him backward. He didn’t move. “If both Lana and Mael are watching us—or—” She froze. “Wait.That’s it.Theyknow,Raziel. Mael and Lana both know about the fae threat, theyhaveto. That’s why Mael is after the ledger. That’s why Lana is questioning me.”
Raziel tilted his head to the side slightly, thoughtfully. “It makes sense. Mael would want ammunition to bring to the table if he needed to broker peace with the fae tribes. Lana would want to know who would be in her direct sphere of influence if she suspected someone. And, most importantly, if Mael wantsyou,he would seek to drive us apart.”
Shutting her eyes, she let out a breath. The board had too many players. This was precisely why she preferred being an assassin. Simple. Get in. Kill. Get out. “What do we do? They’ll be watching us the entire time.”
