“It’s good to see you, too, Aurora. May I come in?”
Aurora sighs, moving to the side. “Please.”
The moment she moves, the energy of the person slaps me in the face. Harrison Chamberlin, my maker.
“Thank you,” he says, moving into the house. “You look as lovely as always.”
“Why are you here, Harrison?” she asks, ignoring his compliment.
My maker laughs. “I would think that’s obvious.” He straightens the waistcoat he’s wearing. “You have something that belongs to me.”
“Belongs to you?” Aurora asks. “You sold her. She doesn’t belong to you any longer.”
“Since Cyrus is no longer fitto care for her, that forfeits any deal we had.” He lifts his nose into the air, turning his attention toward the wall I’m hiding behind. The smirk on his face tells me he knows I’m here. “Besides,” he continues. “I’m afraid I was a bit hasty in selling her so quickly. She’s proven to be more than I’d imagined.” For the first time since being turned, I’m actually relieved to see Harrison.
“Go home, Chamberlin. She belongs to me and is not for sale.”
He turns his attention back toward Aurora. “I’m afraid you’re confused. I have no intentions of purchasing what is already mine. My blood runs through her veins. She’s my child and my property.”
Aurora laughs. “Shall I contact Callum again? I’m sure he’d be interested to know you’ve made a child without sharing her with him.”
One side of Harrison’s mouth lifts higher than the other. “I had no doubt it was you who contacted him.”
“It seems my reputation precedes me.”
“Enough games, Aurora. Bring her to me.”
“She’s not here,” Aurora lies.
“She’s my child. I know she’s here. I can feel her.”
Aurora lifts a glass of red liquid to her mouth. “I’m growing tired of this, Chamberlin. Go find someone else to bother.” She steps in front of him. “You are welcome in my home no longer.” Harrison moves backward, as if an invisible force is pulling him through the door. He’s through the door and standing on the porch seconds later.
“Magic may be on your side, but we both know I am the stronger vampire,” he announces.
“I can see that from where you stand,” Aurora says, slamming the heavy door in his face. I don’t like either of them, but watching her put Harrison in his place gains her a few bonus points.
“I know you’re there,” she announces. “Push the door. It will open.” I freeze in place, hoping she’s talking to someone else. “Don’t make me ask twice.”
I take an unnecessary breath and push against the wall in front of me. Seconds later, I’m standing in front of a bookcase similar to the one I stepped through to enter the hall. She smiles. “I see you found some of my old clothes.” I look down, remembering the centuries-old dress I’m wearing.
“I thought it smelled like shit,” I retort. What the hell is wrong with me? Violet Du Four never talks like that, especially to someone else.
Aurora’s laugh echoes through the room. “No one dares talk to me that way.”
“I’m not them.”
She motions toward an overstuffed, bright pink couch in the living area. “Sit,” she demands.
Every fiber of my being is screaming, no, as I move across the marble floor to sit. I lower onto the edge, ready to run if needed.
“Lucien tells me Cyrus was bargaining for spell work.” I refuse to answer. Instead, I stare at my captor. “What is the spell he’s bargaining for?”
“Let me go, and I’ll tell you.”
Aurora sits, lifting the red liquid to her lips. “I can’t decide if you’re really this stupid or somehow have the delusion that you have any control here.” She pauses, taking in my features. “I can see why Chamberlin is drawn to you. You have the potential to be very beautiful.”
“Thank you?” I’m not sure that was a compliment.
