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My skin froze as I followed his gaze on news articles that I’d never seen.

“The few vampire presses that discovered this information have been forced to scrap any information relating to this issue. If word was to spread. . .”

“The Two-Species Treaty could be withdrawn by the humans,” I said.

“Not could,would,” he emphasized. “Humans have made it clear they don’t want to continue governing alongside vampires. By losing a member of their Cabinet andHeads of Ministry, it’ll showcase the vampire’s inability to maintain order and incompetence under their rule. It’s a substantial clause for humans to withdraw."

“How are they going to keep this big of a thing a secret from humans? There’s going to be rumors. It’ll practically be impossible to hide.”

Lace stood and walked by me, leaning against his desk. “The Premier has been closely working on amending the relationship between the Vampire Ministry and the Bureau. He hopes they can resolve this issue before the disappearance becomes a focal point, but he’s been met with dangerous threats. They’ve even been extended to his sons.”

I considered his words and actions, his body stern. No cheek-biting hinted. Lace was never one to lie about work-related information, but. . .

“How do you know this?”

“I’m the boss, no?” He said with a wink. “I’m in charge of relations and pairings, specifically those who sit at the very top.”

My lips parted, but I stopped myself before I could fully react. Of course, I knew this. It was the reason why I waited patiently to be matched to a posting rather than requesting one every time a chance came up. Lace had done it for me consistently. But for some reason, this year was different.

With this single comment, it was enough to raise my hopes.

“Nina, I want you to be the new private guardian for the Premier’s sons, the Sephtis.”

The name rang familiar, conversations surfacing in my mind.

The Regal Vampire Families were made up of the highest-ranking vampires, ones that had long-standing reputations. They were said to be the first vampires to have lived, their lineage surviving insufferable years in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to rise alongside humans.

I never did my homework when it came to vampires unless I was under their guardianship. But the Sephtis had a history I couldn’t ignore.

Their dad, Mir Sephtis, was the Premier for the Vampire Ministry, one of his kids next in line to succeed after a near-lineage extinction three decades ago. They had pushed through the ashes and blossomed into a name to fear, not because of the Premier’s ruling but due to his sons' inescapable reputations.

Guardians would be sent routinely to the Sephtis. While their NDAs didn’t let them talk about what occurred while at their posts, they’d hint at their bad experiences. Many would abruptly resign mid-contract and never return. Although numbers haven’t plummeted, it still impacted the CEG’s name.

They’ve practically been blacklisted by guardians.

“Am I your last resort?” I crossed my arms across my chest. “And no lying.”

Lace’s lips turned upwards, his eyebrows furrowing. “Yes and no. But— Nina!” He gripped my wrist as I stood. “Don’t be mad at me.”

I inched away, Lace’s hold releasing, but he was swift to cover the door before I could storm out. Sometimes, I forgot how well he knew me, too.

“I’m not mad. Annoyed is a better way to describe how I’m feeling.”

“Let me explain—”

“I already know your reason. I’m never your first choice, and if I am, the jobs are boring.” They were always repetitive. Being a guardian meant risking your life for another person, yet that was never the case when the jobs only consisted of babysitting. But they were safe as Lace liked them.

“Katerina.” His tone suddenly grew serious, his facial expression stern, but it quickly melted away as our eyes met. “Listen, you know why you can’t be my first option. There are other guardians that need to be placed on the field so they can gain experience. You already have that and more.”

“So, you’d prefer to keep me locked up here? Knowing that it won’t do us any good?”

His nostrils flared, and he released a sigh. Sweat trickled from my neck while cool air whirled. Were the walls closing in?

“That’s not true, Nina. It’s hard trying to give everyone a chance in the CEG, one that you don’t need to prove yourself with. I know how capable you are. You were my first thought when the Sephtis requested a new private guardian every month, and trust me when I say I wanted to give it to you, but I couldn’t let you go yet. They’re tough. These guys. . .” He cleared his throat. “I can’t find out what they do to make each private guardian flee not only from their posts but from the CEG. I couldn’t risk losing you if something were to happen.”

He was telling the truth. I didn’t have to study his expression to know— the warmth in his eyes was enough. “Then why now?”

“Because, and I hate to admit it, you’re my last resort. I don’t have to ask to know that everyone’s scared to accept this offer, especially now with the rising tension between species. If another guardian were to disappear now, it would push Father to cut ties with not only a Regal Family but the Premier himself. It’s not only bad for business but for our reputation. Dangerous even.”