“What makes you so sure I didn’t win it off him in a fair fight?” I cock an eyebrow in return.
“Call me Allieone more timeand you will learn how difficult it is to conduct business with your ribcage inverted,” Alaric growls at his friend.
“Don’t tease me with a good time.” Gideon crosses the room and slots my arm in his. “I’m here to offer my services as bodyguard and party planner. But since the old bat is still hanging upside down from the roof somewhere, I want to see the magic you’ve worked on Allie’s mess.”
“She doesn’t really turn into a bat, does she?”
Gideon laughs. “Oh, poor, sweet Winifred.”
Alaric stomps behind us as I show Gideon the work we’ve done in the ballroom. Gideon’s eyes widen as I walk him through the rooms, explaining the organising system and how Winnie Wins works. “Our next step is ‘Neutralise’, which is all about making a game out of tidying up and disrupting all the little habits that contribute to clutter.”
“I am in awe.” Gideon bows so low that his forehead touches the floor. “You know, if you wanted to stick around Argleton, I have a businessopportunity for you.”
“You sound like you want to recruit me into a pyramid scheme.”
“The only pyramids I like are dusty old ones filled with treasures ripe for the taking,” Gideon says. “I’m merelysuggestingthat your skills may be uniquely suited for my members. As more vampires give up their crumbling castles and embrace modern living on the Sanctus Estate, they find themselves at a loss for what to do with their stuff. Even those who lack Alaric’s proclivities find themselves with rooms full of ephemera acquired through decades and centuries of immortal life. If you could prevent the more lascivious ones from sucking on your delectable neck, perhaps you could make a name for yourself as a vampire-clutter-cleaning specialist.”
“She’s not interested,” Alaric says stiffly as we leave the ballroom and enter the pottery studio.
“I think Winnie can speak for herself.” Gideon tweaks Alaric’s cheek. I can practically see smoke coming out of Alaric’s ears.
“Thanks for the offer,” I say quickly. “But I already have more business than I can handle in London.”Although, it would help if my business partner didn’t keep heaping more work on me and hogging all the credit.
“If you change your mind, you know where to find me. I assure you that my members pay handsomely. But if they offer to share a drink with you, you can politely make an exit.” Gideon nods to the sword in Alaric’s hand. “Or take the not-so-polite route.”
“No one is going anywhere near Winnie’s neck,” Alaric growls.
“Tell that to our killer, if Winnie’s plan goes off.”
“The only room we have left to organise is this one.” I gesture to the kiln, trying to get them off the subject before Alaric turns his friend into an attractive platter of sushi. “It adjoins the ballroom, so I understand you’ll need it for feeding during the event. We’re moving the kiln and wheel to another room, but the only thing that’s stumping me is what to do with all the pots and mugs. They’re far too pretty just to throw away?—”
“Perhaps Alaric might offer them to Perdita as a wedding gift. Although they will need an army of Thralls between them to fill themwith sweet nectar.”
I whirl around. Callista has snuck up behind us, completely silently. Alaric darts across the room to stand in front of me.
Callista’s smile to her son is cold. “Your Thrall informs me that you wish to see me. Have you made a decision about the ball?”
Alaric’s fingers knit in mine. “I will not marry Perdita at the ball. You’ll have to find another way to forge this alliance.”
She sighs. “Very well. I am disappointed. You were once my favourite warrior. It’s been a long time since I had to stick one of my children’s heads on a spike on the castle walls, but it’s always an effective deterrent for rebellion. I really should do it more often.”
“You’re not going to execute Alaric, either,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “We have another plan.”
“Alaric, it’s speaking.” Callista makes a face. “You should tell it not to do that, lest it finds its tongue ripped out.”
Alaric’s hand rests on the sword at his side in a way that is both threatening andinsanelyhot.
Not engaged to a vampire. Fake-engaged only.
“You will listen to what my betrothed has to say.”
“Are you trying to make me ill before my evening drink?” Callista snaps her fingers, and her Thrall appears in the doorway, swaying slightly on his feet. He pulls down the collar of his shirt, and my stomach churns.
She’s not going to feed in front of us, is she?
“I think you’ll like this plan, Lady Valerian.” Gideon pulls over a wingback chair for her. “It will appeal to your flair for the dramatic. And I personally would prefer both Alaric and Winnie to keep their heads attached to their bodies. They are ever such delightful company.”
Callista makes another face, but she settles herself into the chair. The Thrall kneels at her side, but she contents herself with petting his head like a puppy.
