Page 98 of You’re So Vein

MY BREATH STILLS AS I watch Komal’s face. This is everything she’s ever wanted. All she has to do is mention the Sanctus bribe, and the Conclave could remove me from the mayoral race. But I’d also be an outcast. I’d lose my standing in the community. Hannah and I would never be able to live at Sanctus. We’d probably have to leave Argleton.

But at least the law would change. At least vampires would be one step closer to reckoning with Hannah.

Do it do it do it.

“I can’t think of any reason at all,” Komal says.

“You’re lying.” Kael leaps to his feet. “I know you’re lying.”

Kael moves with lightning speed, grabbing Komal around the neck, raising her off the ground. She kicks out with her feet. Her eyes bug out, and the noises she makes as she fights for air make red spots appear in my vision. Kael draws back his arm, his blade catching the firelight, and—

—vines shoot from the cuffs of my sleeves. They curl through the air, twisting around Kael’s wrist, squeezing and tightening as they pluck the blade from the air and toss it aside.

“Don’t harm her,” I growl as the vines climb down his arm, circling his shoulder.

“Are your little plants going to stop me?” he bites back, struggling against my grip as the vines circle his skull, squeezing, squeezing. His skin reddens. His fingers around Komal’s neck pop open. She drops to the ground, gasping.

I long to go to her, to scoop her into my arms and carry her away, but she was explicit at the masquerade. She doesn’t want my help. Komal Ahuja will fix the world herself, or die trying.

Don’t think about Komal dying.

Instead, I turn my ire on Kael. As an ancient vampire, he should be able to overpower me easily, but my fear and rage send more vines to encircle him. I’ve never used them as a weapon before, but when it comes to protecting someone I love…

Kael lunges for his sword, but I kick it away.

“If I give the command, my little plants will twist your head from your shoulders.” I move my hands in front of me, and the vines around his neck tighten and pull – not hard enough to break him, just enough so that he knows he’s in trouble. I like the flicker of real fear in his pale blue eyes. “But I don’t need to do that, do I? Our laws protect Komal. If you bite her, I will bring down the powers of the Mora upon you. And even if the Mora takes pity on you, I will not be so merciful. But you will not have the chance to bite Komal. I will make certain of it. She has given you her answer and thus passed your challenge. If you threaten her again, I will end you, Morrigan, even if I damn myself for it.”

Kael growls, but he knows he is beaten. I clap my hands, and my vines release him. He collapses in an ungainly pile. I sweep my hand across my chest, and my vines toss his sword out into the hallway.

“Don’t touch me again, pup.” Kael stomps from the room.

“All this uncouth male energy is making me thirsty,” Irene rises from her chair and rings a small silver bell. “Reginald, have my Thrall sent to the dining room.”

She sweeps from the room. Dante shoots me an amused look and follows her out.

Now that we’re alone, I race to Komal’s side. “Are you okay?”

“Nothing a little hot chocolate and a lifetime of therapy won’t fix.” Komal winces as I help her to her feet.

“Has he hurt you?”

She clutches her side. “I think I’ll have a bruise, and my throat’s on fire, but I’m fine. Thanks to you.”

“We both saved each other tonight.”

“It’s becoming a trend.” She smiles, but it’s wobbly. “I’m not sure I’m keen on it. How did you do that with the vines? Is that Dusk Court magic?”

I nod. “All Dusk Court vampires possess magic beyond that of an ordinary Upyr. There are powers that we learn, and powers that are passed on to us from our sires through their blood. Plant magic is my mother’s gift.”

“I thought Dusk Court magic was scary things like wielding lightning and making people do everything you tell them.”

“Some of it is, which is why the court is very careful about who knows our rites and spells. My mother had a beautiful garden. She taught me that while I can’t command nature, I can be in harmony with it. And if I can use that to protect the people I care about, I will.”

Komal’s mouth twists. Worried she’s in more pain than she’s letting on, I settle her into one of the vacated chairs and hand her the cup of hot chocolate that Reginald brought in a few minutes ago. She cradles it in both hands like it’s the most precious object in the world.

“Why didn’t you turn me in?” I kneel beside her, my hand resting on her knee. Her skin is a warm fire beneath my fingers. The scent of her blood pulsing in her veins drives me to ruin. “I wanted you to.”

“I know.” Komal stares at my hand. She doesn’t move it. “But Kael didn’t do this because he wants intel on your dealings with Gideon. He knows about Hannah. Or he suspects.”