But Julian wasn’t in the mood to de-escalate. “Looks like we’re having dinner after all, sweet.” The words were directed at me, but he didn’t take his eyes off Raphael.
Raphael launched a fist square at his chest, and Julian managed to catch it.
He didn’t manage to catch the next one, which Raphael landed directly in his face. The king’s mask dropped askew, momentarily blocking his vision. Raphael hauled him up—
And threw him into another column twenty feet away.
The southern king was still doubled over when Raphael reached him.He’s going to kill him,I realized. Raphael had absolutely lost it. I scanned the crowd wildly for Demos, but the general was still nowhere to be found. No one else raced forward to intervene.
“Raphael!” I hiked my dress and ran over.
He didn’t look away, instead kicking at the other vampire.
I had to get through to him. “Raphael,” I pleaded again.
Julian had begun to stand again, and took all of Raphael’s focus.
He paid me no heed, slamming a hand around Julian’s throat to pin him in place. There was no doubt in my mind that Raphaelintended murder. All over a stupid bet. And then what? The others wouldn’t let this stand.
“Raphael,” I cried out, desperation pushing my voice higher. “Stop it!”
His fist froze midair.
He turned to me, and I realized I had erred grievously. I should have said nothing. Let them fight it out. Let Julian die.
Because Raphael hadn’t stopped due to the desperation in my voice.
He’d stopped because I’d used my magic on him.
Which meant he now knew I was the necromancer.
And he would have to kill me.
Chapter Forty-Five
Samara
Julian drew himself upbehind Raphael, mask clattering to the floor.
His face, even with the panic rising through me, caused me to falter, because it was twin to a face I knew so, so well. Raphael had a twin?How?
“Nothing to worry about, just siblings bickering,” he called to the crowd, a king even as Raphael kept him pinned. “Please, carry on.”
The music slowly resumed, but that was nothing compared to the ringing in my ears. There was no time to process the connection between the two kings, because only one thought was blaring through my mind.
I just compelled Raphael.
His eyes were on me. He still held Julian against the column, but I was the one he was looking at. His expression was stormy, brows furrowed, fangs still gleaming in the torchlight.
He’ll kill you. He knows what you are. He’s your enemy.
The voice was loud in my head, cutting through the cacophony of emotions in my mind. This was what I’d feared. A few more weeks, that’s all I had needed. Then I could have left safely.
But in trying to stop him from killing hisown brother, I’d signed my own death warrant.
Raphael was currently blocking my escape back out through the palace. I glanced behind me. The edge of the roof, where I’d been with Aella, was maybe ten feet away.
“Samara,” he cautioned.
