Maris doesn’t even hesitate. “Come in, Rosanna.”
Rosanna stumbles forward in surprise. She catches herself on the doorway. “What did you-” she laughs when she realizes Maris has invited her in, “you idiot, mermaid. Stupid, disgusting, vapid mortal. You think you could take what was mine from me? Julian and I are going to drink you dry.”
“Stay, Rosanna.”
Rosanna freezes and I watch as my maker realizes she’s in a trap. “What-no.” She looks at me. “Julian. Julian, get her to let me go.”
Maris steps in front of me. “You knew what I was before I did. How could you think I wouldn’t make you pay like this? Did you think you were stronger than a Siren’s Call?”
Rosanna screams with frustration and swipes at Maris. She’s trying to break the hold but it’s slow going for her. She’s not spelled the way I am. She’s not as strong as Hugo is either.
“Julian, please!”Rosanna pleads.
Hugo looks her over before he glances at Maris. “She didn’t think the trap through, but you counted on that, didn’t you, siren?”
Maris hesitates but nods. “I knew she wouldn’t be able to resist if I let her in but I didn’t know she’d come on her own.”
“She was behind me,” I tell them. “I chased her to Alaska then remembered what mattered most to me.” I put an arm around Maris. Rosanna shrieks in frustration.
“No! I-I did everything for you. I saw you and wanted you. I got rid of Claire, that witch, I made you mine. You can’t do this to me, Julian!”
Maris smiles up at me before glaring at my maker. “Shut up, Rosanna.” A gale of wind sweeps through the house and slams the door shut behind Rosanna and she falls silent. Maris nods. “That’s better. I gave her to you like I said I would. Are you going to hold up your end of the deal?”
I watch Hugo for any sign that he’ll turn on her but there’s nothing. “My compatriots have no honor. They will not like that I’ve let you go. There will surely be a price to pay.” Maris tenses but Hugo goes on talking. He clasps his hands behind his back and starts to circle Rosanna, looking her over. “This vampire has caused us much trouble lately. She’s impulsive, bloodthirsty, greedy. We’ll collect from her. Your debt is hers now.”
Rosanna thrashes but can’t take a step towards me. Hugo nods places a hand to the back of her head. He closes his eyes and sighs. “She’s plotting your downfall even now. Fantasizing about ripping your lover’s throat out.”
“My wife,” I correct.
Hugo opens his eyes. “As you’ve said.”
“She can’t come after us if she’s dead,” Maris mutters and turns to look for something to kill Rosanna with. “Where’s my gun?”
I loop an arm around her waist and haul her against me. “You can’t, Maris.”
“But-”
“The Varcolacus have marked her. She’s theirs alone to deal with. Anyone who interferes forfeits their life.”
Maris slumps back against me. “Fine.”
I look at Hugo. “What is your plan for her?”
There’s the sound of wood breaking and then a door comes flying down the hallway and into the foyer. A second later,Isla appears. She’s bleeding and her dress is ripped but she’s showing no signs of backing down.
She stops and looks at us. “I’m coming for you, granddaughter,” Isla threatens before she sprints up the stairs and vanishes. Her blood guardians slide up the wood after her and a moment later the Varcolacus sprint after them.
“That’s taking entirely too long,” Hugo mutters with a frown. He looks at me. “The blood Rosanna sold on the market was from you, yes?”
“She stole it from my hospital. I had no part in her scheme. That’s why I came here. I never wanted to see her again, but there’s no scraping her off. I thought I would get a reprieve when she was jailed by you.”
“She’s cunning, but you know that. We won’t make the same mistake again.” Hugo looks down at Marcus' body andtsks. “He was reckless. He’s the reason she escaped.”
“How?” Maris asks.
“Vampire or not, men are men. Don’t forget that, siren.” The lingering look Hugo gives her has me on high alert. I bristle and growl. Hugo glances my way and smiles. “I’m far too old to tempt her, but she is something exquisite. If I were a few centuries younger, I’d kill you and take her.”
Maris jerks back into me. I squeeze her waist. Hugo isn’t going to do anything. He’s at the end of his life.
