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I stared at the muscles of his back flex as he walked toward the window and closed it. “Maybe if you kept your windows closed, you wouldn’t need to enslave the bird to do your bidding.”

I pulled the blankets up a little higher as I studied him. After his behaviour last night, I certainly didn’t expect this cold greeting. Just as I opened my mouth to challenge him, he turned to me and spoke, “I’ve never seen a spell like that before,” looking at his hand, he flexed it, a mildly impressed expression on his face.

“What?”

“The spell you used. Simple but not one I’ve seen before.”

I glanced from him to the fleeing shadow of the magpie. “Are you trying to tell me that you could take the spell from me and use it without ever hearing about it?”

“It seems our bond is stronger than either of us realized.” Araki dropped his hand and glanced at the door. I looked over. The half-dozen guards once again graced my door.

I scowled. “We’re back to this, are we?”

“Close the door,” Araki ordered. “Give Miss Reilyn some privacy and be more aware of her actions from now on.”

The guard nodded once and shut the door sharply. I threw back the blankets, tightened my robe, and climbed out of bed. I bristled. “So yesterday, I got a maid to help me and free access to the ground. You even trusted me to be alone with Klaus’s wife. And today, I can’t even do parlour tricks without having you burst in on me?”

Araki folded his arms.

“Or maybe,” I purred, moving closer as I untied the robe, “you were just eager to see me? Pick up where we left off?”

Araki held up a hand. “Reilyn. Please don’t.”

I flinched. Embarrassed. I hurriedly tied my robe back up. “You took off last night as though you were afraid, I was about to burst into flames. You can’t blame me for being upset.”

He had the decency to look ashamed. His arms dropped to his sides as he let out a heavy sigh.

“Maybe you were drunker than you let on?” I pressed. “Or maybe it was just that you got what you wanted?”

“Reilyn.” Araki stepped closer to me. I stiffened. Heat built under his gaze. “I know my behaviour last night… was sure to give the wrong impression of my intentions. The truth is, I don’t wish to talk about what happened between us. Not at this time. Just know I was genuine in my words and actions; my abrupt departure was not your doing.”

His words didn’t lessen the sting of his rejection.

“At least you allowed me to finish before you ran off,” I muttered, then winced for blurting.

Araki’s eyes flashed with desire. “With me, you’ll always finish.”

Was that a promise of more to come? My heart slammed against my ribs with a rekindled hope. I grew breathless as I imagined it. But I squashed the thoughts. I couldn’t let myself get more wrapped up in this man than I already was.

“Let’s not go there,” I said quickly, holding up my hand.

Araki nodded, the desire in his gaze clearing. “We have to stop this vampire army.”

“And I have an idea of where to start. I didn’t tell you the entire truth when I said I didn’t know where the Nightshade would be in Evemere city.” I spun the lie easily. “There’s a night market where assassins from my coven and others meet. If we go there, someone will recognize me and get word back to Opaline.”

“And then?”

“And then you stay back, allowing me to meet with her. I confront her about the vampires and lying to me about you being part of the Nightshade. From there… from there, maybe we’ll get answers. But Klaus can’t come with us,” I was quick to add. “Itwill be risky for even for you to come. If Opaline sees you, she’ll kill you.”

Araki turned thoughtful. I lifted my chin, waiting for his decision. My stomach knotted apprehensively. Something had changed. Maybe it was what happened last night. Maybe it was something else. I didn’t know. I didn’t like it.

Finally, Araki nodded tersely. “Tonight, then. But today, I am needed elsewhere. More bodies have been uncovered.”

All the air left my lungs as he turned and walked out.

***

That night, Araki brought me out of the palace through a servant’s entrance. He gave me plain clothing and a cloak which I changed into. I viewed Araki’s getup with envy. He’d used a spell to look like an elderly man. He seemed the part when he walked with a stoop, leaning on a knotted cane. Looking at him, I could believe he was trained in the same subterfuge I was.