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Alex dropped her gaze to her lap, plucking at the blanket on her thigh, and confessed, “Though it wasn’t my intention, I’ve picked up a few of his emotions. Liam believes he failed me. That none of this would have happened if he’d protected me.”

Vivian frowned. “Why would he think that when I’ve seen his scars?” Scars Liam received while taking multiple bullets for his former Chosen. Vivian examined them herself that first day he stood in her living room.

Alex pulled aside the neck of her Howlers shirt, baring her own puckered scar. “All Liam sees is this one. It doesn’t help that while he was laid up, I got caught up in some stuff with Zion and the clan leader. Liam believes if he’d done a better job of protecting me, I’d still be the woman he once knew.”

“While I agree Liam isn’t to blame, I’d feel the same if something were to happen to my own Chosen.” Which was why she’d gone to such extremes to make sure Dove was far removed from all of this. “You might not be the same girl he knew, but I can’t imagine it’s changed how he feels about you.”

“I’m not so sure about that.” Alex chewed her bottom lip. “What I did to you outside, I’ve also done to him, only worse. Liam… he’s afraid of me now.” She hitched a casual shoulder, but there was no hiding the pain in those words. “Who could blame him? Most of the time, I’m afraid of myself. If not for the telepathic link I share with Jericho, I’d have zero control over this power I have inside of me.”

It was common for happily mated vampire couples to form a telepathic bond. For that to happen, both parties needed to have complete faith in the other. Allowing someone into your innermost thoughts was the ultimate sign of trust. Vivian had yet to feel comfortable enough to let Liam that deep into her psyche. After the scars Alistair had left, it was unlikely she ever would. It was astonishing she trusted him enough to allow him into her bed without tying his hands.

Vivian sipped from her tea, saying over the top of her cup. “Seems to me you’re not giving yourself enough credit. Essentially, you’re like an inexperienced driver who’s been handed a high-performance Ferrari. In time, you’ll grow into your skills.”

“You sound like Jericho,” Alex scoffed, rolling her eyes to the ceiling. “For most of my life, I hid what I was, suppressed my empathic gift. Then, just as I was learning to accept that part of myself, just when I thought I was finding my place in the world”—she held out her arms, gesturing to her body—“thishappened. Heck, I’m still not even sure whatthisis. Vampire empath, vam-path, faerie-pire?”

The disgust Vivian picked up in Alex’s tone stirred her anger. Alex being ashamed of her own power, of the very thing that made her special, wasn’t okay. Not by a long shot.

She leaned in, pinning Alex with a hard look. “Whathappenedis you survived. In surviving, you’ve become one of the most powerful women the underworld has known in centuries. That strength is bound to threaten many of the—as Liam would say—pencil dicks who sit on the Council. Face it, Alex, despite the advances women have made, we live in an archaic world. For the most part, females in our society are considered second-class citizens. Many see us aslessbecause we’re not as strong or as fast. You, my darling, are notless.”

Alex twisted the blanket in her hands. “If the Council finds out, they’ll come for me. Exterminate me for being an abomination.” This last word she spat as though it tasted bad on her tongue. As it should.

Vivian firmed her chin, impassioned words rolling past her lips. “Let them come. Own your power, Alexandra. Take faith in the knowledge that you can defend yourself and those you love. Pity the foolish pencil dicks for their ignorance, and be proud of your abilities. Embrace their fear, and use it to your advantage. Screw anyone who belittles you for beingmore. When they come for you, as I’m sure they will, I’ve great confidence you’ll educate them. Teach them the error of their ways.”

Alex swiped tears from her cheek and shook her head as though breaking free of Vivian’s spell. She snorted a broken laugh. “Holy shit, Vivian. Speaking of embracing your power. Maybe what the women of the underworld need is someone like you on the Council.”

Vivian’s lips curled. It was an impossible dream, and yet the idea had merit. That was if she lived long enough to see herself free of Alistair’s cursed dagger.

Alex set her empty cup on the side table, then turned to face her. “Here I am whining when you have troubles of your own.” She scanned Vivian’s neck, zeroing in on Liam’s brand. “I’ll admit, I just about fell over when Liam introduced you as hisBride.” She held up her hand. “Not that I disapprove. It’s just… Liam isn’t a fan of long-term relationships. He only claimed me as his Chosen under extreme duress.”

“Yes, I remember.” Liam claimed Alex to protect her after she was almost sold as a blood slave in an unsanctioned auction. It was Vivian who’d stepped in to save the young faerie from that awful fate. Liam offered those two weeks in exchange for her help.

Alex went on, eyes rounding comically. “Seriously, the man breaks out in a rash at the very thought of anything infringing on his independence.”

Vivian was all too aware of how even a hint of commitment could make the man bolt. “Our mating wasn’t exactly planned. More of a…heat of the moment situation.” Vivian refused to tell the woman Liam loved like a daughter that their mating was a mistake of epic proportions.

“Ahhh.” Alex nodded sagely. “Well, regardless of how it came about, seeing the two of you together certainly puts my mind at ease.” Her broken tone conveyed her heartfelt concern. “I’ve been worried about him. Nobody should have to go through this world alone.”

Worried about him? Was Liam—lonely? The thought squeezed around Vivian’s heart.

Alex stared into the flames, a smile teasing her lips. “Sure, while we were together, he held tight to his lone-wolf image, but I knew. Liam didn’t hate having someone to come home to at night. Someone to share his life. I mean, of course, it was rough on both of us at first. I didn’t like the bond any more than he did. Still, in the end, I believe he enjoyed having me around.”

As Liam’s former Chosen, Alex had shared a part of Liam’s life he’d never shared with another. A part of himself he hadn’t wanted to share with Vivian all those years ago. Though they were now mated, she doubted that had changed.

“There hasn’t been much time to play house and bask in our newly mated bliss. Nor do I see it in our future.” If they even had one.

Something in her heavy tone seemed to wave a red flag under Alex’s nose. Apparently, it was a challenge she was all too eager to accept. She scooted closer, locking Vivian in her sights. “Seems to me, since all of this dagger business started, Liam hasn’t left your side.”

Did Liam share that with Jericho, or was Alex reading her emotions? How advanced were the woman’s new abilities?

Really, Vivian had her fill of oracles and fortune tellers. She pursed her lips, proceeding with caution. “He stayed because he wanted to fulfill his debt to me.” Even though she’d considered that debt satisfied.

Alex cocked a brow. “Perhaps at first, but that’s not why he’s with you now.”

Vivian narrowed her eyes. “Are you prying into my private thoughts, little vampath?”

Alex angled her chin, expression hardening. “If you want me to apologize, I won’t. Liam shows up on my doorstep with a Bride, I’m going to do a bit of digging.”

“Careful, or you may get more than you bargained for.”