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The growls in the room slowly grow quiet, and reluctantly, Vincent takes his seat.

“Specifically,” I continue, “what is being auctioned is called a forged bond—a magical bond that connects two supernaturals together, potentially until death. Depending on the terms of this bond, one or both parties can exert control over the other. Despite the sometimes distasteful nature of them, forged bonds are technically legal. However, the supernaturals being auctioned have already secretly been bonded once against their will to force their participation and cooperation in these auctions. This is likely what would’ve happened to Cara if the bond had gone through.

“The Fortuna family then scoops up the profit from these … sales, and they will continue to do so unless they are stopped.”

The silence in the room is almost painful.

“That’s not all,” I say. “We’ve discovered the murder victims were themselves bonded to members of the Fortuna crime ring at the time of their deaths. The Fortunas use these bonds to exertabsolute control over supernaturals. And like the auction, we know the murders are also happening in the Equinox Building.” I take another quick glance at Memnon. “And we have good reason to believe another murder will happen on the night of the auction.”

Before anyone can ask me how I know this, I add, “For witches and several other supernaturals, the new moon represents not just literal darkness but secrecy, obscurity, mystery, and confusion. It’s when witches are likeliest to perform illicit spells and forbidden magic. It’s the one night every lunar cycle when dark magic carries the most power.”

For a long moment, the room stays quiet.

Finally, Vincent lets out a long sigh and reaches into his pocket. He fishes out two vials of truth serum.

“Before we discuss anything further,” the alpha says, “I want you both to drink this so I can confirm the truthfulness of your words.”

I bite back a groan, but when he tosses the vial to me, I readily unstopper it and drink the thing down, wincing at the taste.

Memnon catches the vial lobbed at him, but he just stares at it. I can already tell he’s going to resist the alpha’s commands.

“Memnon.”

The sorcerer looks at me, the corner of his mouth curving up. He removes the cork then and holds it up.

“For you and only you,” he toasts to me, then he kicks the drink back.

The room is quiet as the potion takes effect. I can feel the magic winding around my windpipe and coating my tongue.

“Is everything you told me about the auction and the murders true?” Vincent asks me.

“To the best of my knowledge, yes,” I say.

His gaze shifts to Memnon. “Did she tell the truth?” Vincent asks.

“As she knows it, yes,” Memnon says.

“As she knows it,” Vincent echoes. “And how doyouknow it?”

Memnon and Vincent stare one another down.

Next to me, Kane rotates, his eyes fixed on my face.

“How didyouget this information?” he asks me. What he really wants to know is what happened last night.

I blow out a breath, even as my stomach turns over. That earlier strength I felt is slipping…

You are the strongest person I know,est amage,Memnon says.Take your time. I am here.

I draw a deep breath. “The same woman who tried to bond Cara came for me last night—after the bonfire. Her name is Juliana Fortuna, daughter of Luca Fortuna. She…forced me to bond with her.”

The room is unnaturally quiet for several seconds.

“What?” Kane finally says. His voice has gone deep and gravelly. “You mean to tell me that if you had left the beach with me, this would not have happened?”

Memnon sits forward a little. “What’s this now?” His magic is beginning to unfurl out of him. He hasn’t heard about what happened between me and Kane last nightbecause it wasn’t important. I didn’t realize we were going to have a clash over it.

“Are you still bonded to this Juliana?” the alpha cuts in.