My cheeks get warm. “Thank you. So are you.”
“I see you two have met.” I turn, finding Aurora standing a few feet away.
“We did,” Victoria answers. “I could smell our maker from across the room.”
“It’s only fitting, considering she will be joining us after her training.”
Victoria smiles warmly. “That’s nice. I’ve always wanted a sister.”
A cold hand slides behind my back, stopping me from saying what fills my mind. “I see you’ve met Victoria,” Cyrus says, pulling me closer to his side. His actions speak louder than words. I have no doubt these are meant as a warning to stay quiet.
“I did. She’s lovely,” I answer properly.
“That, she is,” Cyrus agrees before turning toward me. “Violet, would you check on Simon? He didn’t look well earlier.”
“Of course.” I step away from Aurora and Victoria, intent on following Cyrus’s instructions.
Cyrus’s words seem to anger Aurora. Her energy shifts instantly. “She stays here,” she demands. Turning toward my blood sister, she shouts more orders. “Victoria,it’s time for you to take care of what we spoke about earlier.”
Victoria bows slightly. “Yes, ma’am,” she answers, turning without another word.
Aurora turns her attention back toward Cyrus. “I must make my rounds before leaving. You know how these things annoy me, but I’m required to play the part. Being an ancient is more about the performance than strength. I’m nothing more than entertainment for the masses.” She steps closer, her energy shifting as she moves. “Do not talk to Victoria again,” Aurora warns.
“I…I apologize. I didn’t realize I was limited on whom I could speak to.” My tone is snarky, and surprisingly, I don’t care.
Aurora responds differently than expected. “Find the wolf who drove you here. Cyrus and I have business to attend to.” She turns toward my buyer. “Don’t we, my love?” The smile that covers her face makes my stomach gurgle. “It’s been a while since we’ve made love all night,” she continues. I resist the urge to turn as she runs a hand down his chest, stopping at his groin and wrapping her hand around his penis. What the hell?
I look at Cyrus, not sure what to do. He nods so quickly, I barely catch his movement. The vampire turns her attention toward me. “Don’t play dumb, dear one. I can sense your energy from here.” She steps within inches of my face. “In case you’re either toodumb or too naïve to understand what my words mean, I’m going to fuck my husband until he’s barely alive. When he heals, I’m going to fuck him all over again.” I can’t hide the shock that covers my face. “Does that make it easier for your young mind to understand?”
A warm arm wraps around me, pulling me backward slightly. “There you are,” Simon says, stepping between Aurora and me. “I have some people I’d like you to meet.”
“Oh, look. There’s your dog now.”
Simon bows grandly toward the ancient vampire. “Simon, the dog, at your service. Excuse us, please.” He pulls me away from the spectacle without another word.
“What...” I start.
“Later,” he interrupts, dragging me through a set of glass doors leading from the main room to the outside. The limestone balcony is larger than the houses in my neighborhood. The earthy smell of dirt, mold, and water fills my nose. It’s a smell I recognize from home. I know without looking, below us sits a swamp full of marshy water.
“What the hell was that?” he asks, once we’re completely outside.
“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I pause, staring at my lycanthrope friend. “She started it.”
The look Simon gives me is familiar. It’s one I received from my mother many times growing up.Muscles flex in the arms that are crossed in front of him. “She started it? What are you, twelve?”
“She told me she was going to…” I can’t bring myself to say the word she used. “Have sex with Cyrus.”
“Violet, you’re not human. The sheltered life you lived is over. I’m sorry that this happened to you, but you need to remember what you are. Human ways and naivety will do nothing but make you appear weak or, worse, get you killed.”
“Where is this coming from?” I ask the man I thought was my friend.
“It’s coming from a few glasses of wine and observations. You have something inside that drew Cyrus to you. He chose you to bring here, which, no matter what he says, is something he doesn’t do regularly. He chose to help you, and that’s exactly what he’s doing right now.” Anger fills Simon’s words.
“I don’t understand?”
“He stepped between you and Aurora. Do you think she was justconversingwith you? That the two of you were just shooting the breeze about the weather?” I don’t know how to answer. Instead of saying something dumb, I choose to stare. “Nothing that woman does is an accident. Everything she does has a motive, Violet.”
“This was a test,” I announce, putting the pieces together.
