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“There are close to one hundred of those. The most recent, dated just a few months ago.”

There would be. Alistair documented everything. Every moment of his life, every disgusting detail of his dark experiments.

“It’s unclear whether Alistair was Salvatore’s partner or his captive. Regardless, while Salvatore was killed during the raid, his mage escaped.”

“Alistair is alive.” She dared to say the words out loud. Giving them substance, making the nightmare real.

“We believe so. Because of the many crimes he committed while working with Salvatore, he is also a wanted man. I’ve issued a warrant for his arrest.”

She swallowed, feeling lightheaded. Again, she repeated, “Alistair is alive.”

“Yes, though it seems his strength was greatly diminished by the injuries he suffered in the fire. There is much in those journals I’ve yet to decipher. Some entries are nonsensical, the mad ramblings of a twisted mind. However, there is one thing I discovered that greatly concerns me. In several, he mentions an artifact. Claims it’s an object of great power and his greatest achievement. He believes you stole it from him the night the mansion burned down. Do you know what he was talking about?”

She sensed the magister’s piercing eyes on her as though he studied every one of her unguarded reactions. Exposed. Vulnerable.Merde.Get it together, Vivian. While the abject terror swelling inside of her demanded she run from his home screaming, instead, she schooled her features, saying vaguely, “He did a great many things I wasn’t privy to.”

Tiberius reclaimed her hands in a firm grip. Manner intense, he warned, “If such an item were to exist and Alistair got ahold of it, he could be an even greater threat to us than Zion.”

She squeezed back, equally intense, looked Tiberius straight in the eyes, and lied, “Regardless, I’m sure this dangerous artifact is long gone. When Alistair’s laboratory exploded, the fire incinerated everything.”

His grip eased, and he growled a sigh she failed to interpret. Was he frustrated at her answer? Relieved? More important, did he believe her?

Before she could decide, he stroked his thumb against the pulse in her wrist. “From the ramblings in those journals, it’s clear he isn’t in his right mind. The dark magic he’s been dabbling in has destroyed his sanity. Whether you have the artifact or not, Alistair is convinced it’s in your possession. In his notes, he blames you for much of his suffering. Now he is free, I believe you are in grave danger.” His dark eyes softened, his tone deepening. “Stay here with me. Let me protect you. You can even bring Dove and Armond if you like.”

Beautiful mansion, powerful male, guards at the door. Hell would freeze over before she put herself into that position again.

Steel crept into her spine, and she lifted her chin. “Thank you, it’s a generous offer, but I’ll not let him drive me from my home.”

At her refusal, Tiberius’ gaze hardened again. “Stubborn to the end. I knew you’d refuse. Still, you can’t blame a male for hoping. Very well,” he huffed, “but if you should see any sign of Alistair, I want you to tell me immediately.”

The sharp edge she picked up in his tone made her ask, “Is that a request from my friend or the magister?”

“Both,” he stated with no trace of his usual charm.

She squeezed his fingers and patted his knee. “There’s no need to worry. Due to the trouble I’ve attracted with the shelter, I have multiple security measures in place. I’m far from helpless or alone.”

Thoughts of her bodyguard had Vivian turning to check on Liam. Tiberius followed the direction of her stare and frowned. “I believe your new pet is about to slip his leash and soil my rug.”

Seven

While Vivian walked outsidewith Magister Steele, Liam headed to the bar. Following Mistress’s orders, he smacked his palm on the counter. “Two whiskeys on the rocks.” The bartender was quick to comply, filling two glasses, then backing away to a safer distance. Liam downed the first before taking the second with him. While sipping from his drink, he positioned himself a few feet from the buffet to better see Vivian through the windows.

He eyed Tiberius’ spread, lip curling with disdain. Not a single hot wing in the mix. Most of the food he didn’t recognize. The fact some of it was still moving was concerning. While food wasn’t a necessity for vampires, that didn’t mean they abstained. In reality, there were many things they found pleasing to their gullets. For Liam, raw fish eggs weren’t one of them.

He sensed a presence beside him but didn’t bother looking, keeping his eyes fixed on Vivian.

“You,” sneered a condescending voice. “What areyoudoing here?”

He glanced at the male standing next to him.Fuck me. It was Pompous, the pissant who’d tried to hire him the other day at Howlers. “I’m slumming,” Liam said, turning back to his view of Vivian. Tiberius was sitting beside her now, holding her hands.Why the hell does he keep touching her?The magister said something to Vivian that washed the color from her cheeks. The glass in Liam’s tightening hand cracked. He’d give her two minutes before he dragged her sweet ass back inside.

Pompous didn’t take the hint. He leaned in close enough that the stench of his heavy cologne burned Liam’s nostrils. “Got your eye on the Black Widow, I see. Don’t waste your time on that one. From what I hear, once she’s done fucking you, she carves out your heart and keeps it in a jar.”

“Go away,” Liam snarled.

“Or what?” Pompous chortled. “This isn’t your bar. You’ve no power here.”

“Wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

Undeterred, the pissant pressed closer, bumping Liam’s shoulder. “That little whore you have your eye on is planning to build a fortress in order to steal our Brides from us. Once it’s constructed, she’ll lure them into her web, where she’ll reign as their queen. It will be a place no man can enter.”