“Indeed. In America only, there are perhaps at least twenty families. And that’s not counting those derived from them. Most are like mine. Civilized, educated. The Crew on the other hand…” Isidoro picks a grape from the fruit bowl, lifts it to his eye level and just looks at it. “Let’s say they’ve been a thorn in everyone’s side for a long time. But since they were in possession of the ruby, we could do very little about it.”
Oh. It’s the ruby again. But what is so special about it? What power does it hide?
“You couldn’t attack them because of a gem?” I prompt, giving the melon a try. It’s juicy and sweet and I immediately reach for more.
“We could, but we wouldn’t get far. It amplifies one’s strength and, well…” He picks up a glass of dark red wine, or maybe it’s blood, and takes a sip, savoring the taste. “It grants you a certain level of control over other vampires. Not absolute, but enough to scatter their resolve, even if they want you dead. It is why most of my efforts to retrieve it have been futile.”
Oh. I fish out the stone, studying it with new eyes. So, this little thing has mind-control powers? I shudder. “And yet, I pretty much just marched in there and stole it.”
“You are human. It does not hold authority over you. How and why it was left unguarded like this is curious, though.”
There was security at the party, I do remember that. And it seemed excessive at times too, but then again, it was the posh, fancy kind of party so I didn’t question it. So how did I manage to steal it? I guess they never expected their food to strike back. Because that’s what I was supposed to become that night—their meal.
“This coup, how exactly are we going to go about it?”
“If they see I have the ruby in my possession—”
“Inourpossession,” I correct, leveling him with a serious look. “And we have a deal—no ruby until you’ve helped us.”
Isidoro nods. “If they see we have the ruby in our possession, the Crew will think twice before fighting us. They are not stupid, but the stone doesn’t make us invincible either, nor does it strip the Crew from their strength or allegiance. However, if we can get to their leader and deal with him, the rest will stand down.”
Take out the king and his pawns will lose their reason to fight you. Smart. Scenarios of how we could go about that play out in my head. Nothing sticks though, as I don’t have enough intel.
“So, what you are saying is we just need to sneak in and assassinate their leader to win the war?” Niko summarizes, his calm, deep voice coming from behind me.
I whip my head around, a rush of excitement slithering down my spine. He’s leaning against the pergola’s column, hair sleep-tousled, shirt half-buttoned. He’s slowlynursing a mug of coffee. I think he rushed here. When our eyes meet, he smiles brighter than the morning sun.
“That would be correct. Sometimes, the best way isn’t to charge head-on.” Isidoro waves his hand in invitation. “Come, join us.”
Niko takes a seat next to me, placing his cup down. I catch a whiff of the flower-scented bath salts we used, and it goes straight to my cock. He smells like me, like he’s mine. I can’t wait for this shitshow to be over so we can go on a trip somewhere and enjoy a fuckfest.
Isidoro’s lips tremble, like he’s fighting a smile. His eyes grow a notch darker as he aims them at me, their unusual red color glowing where light doesn’t hit it.
“That still doesn’t solve the issue of how nearly impossible it is to kill one of you.” Niko taps the table with two fingers, pulling the vampire’s attention. His other hand takes to my thigh possessively. “Eyes over here, Isi. Tommy’s off-limits.”
“You two smell lovely. I just couldn’t help myself.” Isidoro’s answer unleashes something hot and fluttering inside me. “And your concern is well-placed. You can leave the killing part to me.”
The killing part? Oh, so Isidoro will be tagging along? I somehow assumed he’d be coordinating shit from here while his minions do the dirty work. I mean, that’s what those in important positions normally do, no?
“That implies there is a non-killing part…” Niko’s fingers slide up my inner thigh, following the curve.
Jesus. Is he seriously getting me horny in the middle of planning an assassination operation? He has no shame! I’m so here for it.
I fidget and try to keep a moan from escaping me. But one look at Isidoro’s gleeful smirk tells me my half-bakedefforts to hide my arousal have failed spectacularly. It’s all Niko’s fault though, for suddenly cranking up his possessiveness for no reason. Isidoro is hot as fuck, kind of mysterious, and he’s also a vampire, but he’s just… not Niko. I’m sure he can protect me, he can provide too, but I feel safe in Niko’s arms, I crave his kisses and his gaze in a way that lights me on fire.
“There is indeed. It’s where you two come in.”
“Wait, are we suddenly part of your assassination mission?” I ask, pulling the bowl of fruit toward me as Isidoro seems to be done with it. I pick a grape and pop it into Niko’s mouth. “Won’t we just get in the way?”
He licks the juice sticking to my fingers before he chews. “Tommy has a point, Isi.”
“He does. That is why what I need from the two of you is to go to the Gala Andras is throwing tomorrow and kidnap him for me.” I blink slowly.Oh boy, this sure escalated quickly.“You see, the moment I set foot anywhere near him, he will know. His entire clan will, too. So, unfortunately, I won’t be able to accompany you. My clansmen won’t be either. But as soon as we have isolated him somewhere, I can do what I must.”
“If… If I crowned you now, would that make a difference?” I pose, wondering if that’s an alternative.
Maybe if I made him king first, he can go sort this mess for us on his own, because, frankly, I’m not sure if I like his crazy plan. We’ve been running from the Crew for days, yet here he is, suggesting we go poke at their lair. Then again, our deal is for him to help us deal with them first, because despite how nice and kind he has been, I still don’t trust him fully.
Isidoro’s gaze grows distant, his expression thoughtful. “Even a king can be killed. Andras’ clan is veryobedient, very brainwashed if you will. They bow to no one but him. Even if I gained the ruby’s favor today, that will make little difference. It takes time for it to get accustomed to its new king, for a bond to be formed so it can bestow the extent of its powers.”
