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So much for her treasured heirloom. “Woman, have you lost your mind?”

In response, she bent over, poking through the debris. He’d take that as a yes. Maybe the fire reminded her of when the mansion burned down, causing some sort of mental break. “Viv, honey, you’re going to cut yourself,” he warned in a gentle voice. One reserved for the insane.

Before he could intervene, she spun to face him, dagger clutched to her chest. The stone set in its hilt glowed with an eerie light.

She winced, manner apologetic. “The soul sword isn’t a sword. It’s a dagger.”

For half a second, he stared, slack-jawed, before snarling, “Knew you were lying.”

He raked his unbound mohawk off his forehead. “Now what? We can’t have you running around in your nighty waving that thing. May as well slap a couple of T-bone steaks to your ankles and call the hounds.” He held his hand out and wiggled his fingers. “Hand it over, and I’ll keep it safe until we’re out of here.”

She backed away, clasping it tighter. “I can’t do that.”

He clenched his teeth. “You don’t trust me?”

She glowered. “It’s not that, you ass. It’ll burn you. I’m the only one who can touch it.”

“Fuck! Course you are.” He cut a glance to the puff of smoke billowing under the door. “Running out of time, Viv.”

“I have an idea.” She raced to her closet, emerging a second later with a hideous purple and green backpack with the wordsLissez les Bon Temps Roulezprinted on it.

“Place is burning down around us, and you’re accessorizing. Though, I gotta say, it doesn’t seem your style.”

“It’s Dove’s Mardi Gras souvenir.” She dropped the dagger into the bag and slung it over her shoulders. Then she turned to him, arms akimbo. “Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s get out of here.”

He growled low and grabbed her hand. At the door, he tucked her fingers into the back of his jeans. “This hand does not leave my waist. Even if some bastard comes at me. You tuck in tight and stay close. Got it?”

She nodded. “Got it.”

He eased the door open and peeked through the crack. Finding the pathway clear, he guided her into the hallway toward the steps. Snarls and grunting echoed from below. At the bottom of the staircase, Soren fought with a snarling vampire. He spun and slammed his dagger into the male’s chest. His opponent gurgled blood and dropped.

Soren caught sight of them and offered an all-clear salute. With no time to waste, Liam grabbed Vivian’s hand, leading her down the steps.

“Status?” he asked Soren.

Blood dripped from the blade in Soren’s hand onto Vivian’s fancy rug. “Kyrell says we have a dozen more of these bastards waiting outside. Both he and the other two males you hired are dealing with them. This one slipped past while they were distracted.”

Vivian pressed close to Liam’s side, eyeing the fallen intruder as though he might jump up and grab her. “Do you think Alistair sent them?”

Soren reached down and ripped a scrap of fabric from the male’s arm. Printed on the golden armband was a circle. Inside were a pair of wings with three spinning blades.

“Zion,” Liam grumbled. Seemed he’d gone from hiding his followers to marking them for all to see. He handed it to Vivian. “Looks like news of you and your secret soul sword is making the rounds. Apparently, Zion doesn’t want to be left out.”

Soren’s expression tightened with unease. “With the fire in the east wing, I suspect they’re herding us, forcing her to exit out the servant’s entrance in the west. I imagine they’ll have a crew there waiting to intercept.”

“Mistress.” Vivian’s butler stumbled into the great room.

“Gilbert,” she cried out, and Liam held tight to her hand, keeping her at his side.

“This way.” The anculus coughed, waving them into the east wing, into the smoke. “I know another way out.”

Glass broke. From the study, a crashing sound echoed along with a guttural shout.

“Sounds like one of them crashed through the window.” Soren gripped his bloody dagger, his dark expression sliding into a snarl. “I’ll deal with our uninvited guest. You focus on getting Vivian out of here.”

“Mistress, please. I beg you.” Gilbert waved them over, urging her to follow him in the direction of the fire.

Liam groaned. With few options, he had no choice but to trust the butler knew what he was doing. “Come on.” He towed Vivian behind him, and she jogged to keep up.