“A few weeks ago, I sent him on a mission from which he never returned. In a blind panic, I sent mercenaries and my draughs to find him, fearing the worst. Thankfully, my men found him alive but held prisoner by someone like yourself. When confronted, she fiercely attacked, destroying anyone who tried to rescue him. There were only two survivors, one of whom is still in a coma.”
If possible, Renato looks paler than usual. He can’t care that much about one silly little vampire among his ranks. It’s beyond him to care.
But before I can respond, Aurora drops to her knees in front of Renato and gently grasps one of his hands in hers.
“It’s grief,” she whispers, the words trembling. “You lost him, and now you’re … hollow. I can feel it. Fuck, why does it hurt so much?”
When I move to comfort her, she holds up a hand, stopping me in my tracks. A move like that would normally piss me off, but not with her … never with her.
I return to my post behind the chair, curious to see how this plays out. The emotional interaction confuses me and makes the flesh below my skin itch and burn.
“Thank you,brasita. It’s been a long time since anyone has shown me any sympathy. I will not forget your kindness,” Renato says, bringing his other hand to rest upon hers.
The mere fact that he has his hands on Aurora—again—is enough to make me shake with rage. But there’s something happening between them, something I can’t quite parse.
As a precaution, I call on the Cù Fèidh again, who positions herself beside Aurora. She idly strokes the beast’s aether fur, completely unaware of the effect it has on me.
Every touch, every absent-minded caress, hums through my body—volts and ohms crawling under my skin. My grip tightens on the chair as a slow, searing ache coils in my gut.
She forgot … forgot I can feel her hands on my shadow.
Fuck, it feels good. Too good.
Stifling a groan, I steady myself, silently thanking the stars I’m behind my reading chair.
“I thought that, since the female who holds my son captive is the same creature as Ezra, that he could reason with the thing and get him back,” Renato says quietly.
The old vampire sounds desperate, which makes me chuckle. I don’t usually enjoy watching others suffer. But watching Renato squirm? That’s a rare fucking treat.
Renato’s gaze turns murderous when it shifts to me, the rage making his dark blue eyes almost glow.
“Your mate laughs at me, young queen. Will you allow that to stand?”
Without responding, Aurora gets up and walks back to the reading chair. The Cù Fèidh follows silently behind her, taking her usual position on Aurora’s left as I move around to her right.
“Mr. Cazador, if mymatechuckles, it’s for good reason. Perhaps we should ask him why he laughs?”
The scent returns—stronger now. Kettle corn and magic. Smoke and scorched sugar. All of it laced with heat … and something darker beneath.
Shit. Her magic’s slipping again.
I should probably be alarmed that she’s manipulating a vampire this easily.
But I’m not.
I’m just turned the fuck on by the way it wraps around my throat, her power humming beneath my skin, carving itself into my shadows.
The vampire’s head cocks to one side, wordlessly asking his question.
“Renato, excuse my poor manners. I do not laugh at you or your misfortune; instead, I laugh at the idea of me mediating the release of your son with one of my siblings. There is a reason we don’t interact or group together. If my sibling has your son, I’m afraid he’s dead.”
I feel it coming before Renato moves, so I shift into the Tesem and position myself in front of Aurora.
The Cù Fèidh lunges forward and clamps its jaws around the throat of the furious vampire.
“But you owe me a favor! You must do this! You fucking owe me!” Renato roars while his hands wildly tear at the gigantic beast slowly working her teeth into his throat.
With a whine, I turn toward Aurora … only to find her sitting still.
