His grip tightens, warning. “You’re going to do exactly what you’re told.”
I angle my head, staring at him from the corner of my eye. “And what exactly is that?”
He smiles like he’s enjoying himself. Like he’s been waiting for this moment since he saw me in the hallway at Dyrk, since he realized I was a weak spot.
“We’re going to talk,” he says. “Then we’re going to wait.”
My throat goes dry. “Wait for what?”
“Wait for your King to come,” he murmurs. “Or wait for him not to.”
The words punch a hole in my chest.
Because part of me thinks he won’t.
Not because he’s weak. Not because he’s scared.
Because I gave him a reason to be angry.
Because Talos showed up, and Orpheus found out I’m tangled in something bigger than I let on.
I swallow hard and force my voice steady. “You’re wasting your time.”
The gray-haired vampire laughs softly. “Am I?”
He releases my neck but doesn’t let me go. His hand slides down, catching my wrist, turning my arm as if he’s inspecting me. Like I’m merchandise.
Rage flares. Hot and sharp.
I yank my arm back as best I can. “Don’t touch me.”
That gets a reaction.
A few vampires straighten. One of them grins like he’s entertained. Another looks irritated, like I’m making noise in a room that prefers silence.
The gray-haired vampire’s eyes narrow, but he’s still smiling. “You’re bold for someone who’s alone.”
I lift my chin. “I’m not alone.”
He tilts his head. “No?”
I hold his gaze and lie through my teeth as if my life depends on it. “Not in the way you think.”
His smile twitches. “That’s the thing about you, little human. You don’t look like much, but you’ve got that energy. Like you’ve been around monsters long enough to forget you’re supposed to fear them.”
I stay quiet.
Because he’s right.
Because my body knows the etiquette even when my mouth pretends it doesn’t.
Because I learned a long time ago that fear is a currency. If you show it too openly, someone will spend it.
The gray-haired vampire gestures toward the bar with a jerk of his chin. “Sit.”
I don’t move.
His eyes darken. “Sit, or I’ll make you.”
