Jax peers over my shoulder into the empty club. Soon, the dance floor will pulsate with energy, and the bar will bustle with patrons. “Is Vane around?”
My body goes rigid, my teeth set on edge. Jaxson knows Vane is my sire, but he doesn’t know what happened between us. I never plan to tell him. It’s none of his business.
“Vane isn’t here.”
“Then where is he?”
I scoff. “Do I look like his keeper?”
“If you are, you are doing a terrible job,” a sultry voice says. My blood runs cold.
Vane commands the room like a king holding court when he walks in. His red eyes gleam as he adjusts the sleeve of his custom-tailored suit. Tonight’s ensemble is a striking teal, accentuating his white-blond hair, which seems to glow under the club lights.
I want to squeeze lemon juice into my eyes.
“Jaxson.” Vane extends a firm handshake toward the Blade. The air thickens as the two pivotal figures in my life, the only men I’ve ever loved, engage in a silent exchange that momentarily eclipses my presence. An urge to retreat behind the bar tugs at me, but curiosity pins me in place.
“Are you here to take in the sights?” Vane’s gaze lands on me, and I roll my eyes.
Asswipe.
“I’m here on an errand for the queen,” Jaxson says.
I bite the inside of my cheek. What’s so important Leigh sent Jaxson to ask in person?
“If Leigh has questions, then ask them,” Vane replies.
“Leigh wants to ensure you and Queen Vyvyan are safe after the blackout,” Jax asks.
I scoff. Both men look at me.
Of course, they aren’t fucking okay. Someone attacked Vyvyan and Vane, and that person wants her dead. There could be wolves in Corona, and here we are chatting in this club as if there isn’t a killer on the loose.
Vane wears a mask of composure. “I told her we were fine. Something had come up.”
I frown. It’s so easy for him to lie.
“Perhaps I could see Vyvyan to confirm that’s true?” Jaxson asks, and I tense. Ice floods my veins, memories of Vyvyan’s lifeless body flashing through my mind. Jax frowns. He reads me like a book, sensing something is wrong. I’m losing control. If the Blades steal my case, there goes my bargaining chip, and I’ll end up on the streets.
“Vyvyan’s not taking visitors,” I say.
Jaxson’s stare intensifies. “Why?”
Vane scowls at me. “Desiree, don’t you need to get back to work? We will open soon. Jaxson, we will need to reschedule this conversation. I’m busy.”
Jaxson straightens. His posture brims with authority. “There’s one more thing. Leigh requests permission to visit Little Death tonight with some of her people.”
“Who?” I ask before Vane can shoo me away.
“A few members of the Council as well as Alden Lupas,” Jaxson says in a low voice.
Confusion wrinkles my brow. “Who is that?”
“The Wolf Prince of Lua?” Vane answers.
My skin crawls at the recollection of Balam’s signature. Paw prints.
“He’s here?” Could the tracks at the attack site link to Alden? If so, I might have found my first suspect.
