“Thanks for the update, Sinead. We’re going to keep her overnight, until the full moon is over.” Gideon appears by my side, his mobile phone in his hand. He’s taken off his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing surprisingly muscled forearms that absolutely do not make my lady parts tingle. “They’ve got her. She’s alive and unhurt. Sinead says they’re loading her into a secure cell now.”
I don’t like Sinead knowing Celeste’s secret, but Gideon assures me she’s trustworthy, and Sinead being Thralled to Sanctus gives a measure of protection. “I want to see her.”
Gideon glances towards the garden, where his security team are hefting a dark shape into the back of a vehicle. “I don’t think Celeste would want you to see her like this.”
“Tough. She’s myfriend. I know that concept means nothing to you, but she’s important to me. Besides, I’m not in danger anymore. I took care of Paul Badica.”
“Itook care of Badica.”
“If you say so.” I shrug, knowing it’s infuriating him that he has no idea what I did. But I’ve already lost interest in my so-called stalker.
How has Celeste been transforming into this beast every full moon, and we haven’t noticed? The Nevermore Coven prides itself on sniffing out a supernatural mystery, and yet she’s kept this from us the whole time. How much control does she have over her shifting? Does she only eat raw meat? Is she immortal?
I have so many questions, I sound like Isis.
“Celeste is dangerous. She’s already tried to eat two of my men. And me.” Gideon points to his wound.
“Don’t punish her for her excellent palette.”
“Are you saying I taste good?” Gideon smiles, his fangs visible, long and curved, a beautiful shape. “You would know.”
I sigh, already forgetting the way his forearms made me feel.
“Are you going to listen to me if I insist you stay with one of the Nevermore Coven members tonight?”
“Staying at Black Crag or Dora’s cottage would require far too much explanation, and this isn’t my secret to spill.”
“Riiiiight, and Arabella Lestrange wouldn’t want to spend her Bloodeve with her friends.”
I have to carefully arrange my face to hide my surprise. “You remembered.”
“I would never forget,” he says, checking the wound. It’s stopped bleeding but is still an ugly, jagged gash in his perfect skin. “When I found out you were Upyr, I figured that what you told me was your birthday was really your Bloodeve. Working on our act was merely a pretence to get me in the door so I could give you your surprise.”
“Please, no more surprises.”
“You’re going to like this one, I promise.”
“You sound awfully certain.”
“That’s because I know one thing for a fact.” Gideon grins wickedly as he collects his now-bloodied tote bag. “Arabella Lestrange cannot walk away from a game.”
31
Gideon
Then
DAYS PASS IN AGONY.I writhe in bed, every bone in my body feeling as though it’s been shoved through a meat grinder. My veins burn from the inside. My teeth hang heavy in my mouth, like lead nails shoved through my gums.
Lucien visits me each day, opening the vein on his wrist and forcing me to drink. He says his blood will heal me quicker. He wears the necklace around his neck, beneath his shirt, the jewels making his throat appear lumpy, sickly. He’s anxious to leave the city. There’s been trouble in Montmartre, but he can’t leave until I’m able to control the monster I’ve become.
Until I’m just like him.
I need to find Arabella. I need to explain what’s happened. I did this to save her, to save my brother, but I didn’t know the kind of monster Lucien truly was.
But first, I need to be able to stand without my veins burning.
Finally, I’m able to sit up in bed. Lucien opens his veins to me a final time, but he allows only a sip. The thirst burns in my throat. I lunge for him, but he shoves me away, patting the top of my head like a dog.
