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No wonder Julian hadn’t scared him. He had to be as powerful as Julian, though he didn’t exude it the same way. So far, Devon was the most accomplished at hiding his power, which was a whisper of wind brushing against her skin compared to Julian’s hammer pounding against her.

Dmitri would be ecstatic knowing she’d met another elusive member of the Council. Other than Julian, the Organization didn’t know the identity of the other Councilors. If they did, they’d never told her.

“Yes. Aren’t these events boring for someone as old as you?”

“On the contrary, Miss Davis, we vampires love parties. There’s free booze, beautiful women, and a willing blood supply. What’s not to love?”

Leah’s eyes narrowed. “I hope you don’t think I’m a willing blood supply.” She was already going over how to defend herself if Devon tried anything.

He laughed. “Don’t worry. Julianwouldkill me if I did that.” His words confused Leah, but before she could ask questions, he continued, “While it’s been a while since I’ve had a worthy fight, I have no desire to kill Julian or be killed.”

“Could you? Kill Julian, I mean?”

Devon’s lips pursed as he considered her question. She recalled her first night here. The savagery with which Julian had disposed of his opponents returned to her with sharp clarity. Over the past few weeks, she’d forgotten just how dangerous and volatile vampires were. Just because some of them worked with her didn’t mean they couldn’t kill her in a second if they wished.

An insidious and chilling thought occurred to her. What if she engineered a fight between Devon and Julian?

Regardless of who survived, the vampires would lose a Council member. Even if they didn’t kill each other, they would wound each other significantly. Wouldn’t that serve the Organization’s purpose much more than seducing Julian? Would killing Devon or Julian count as fulfilling the terms of her contract with Dmitri?

Was she presuming too much? Thinking that Julian would fight another vampire for her? Not just anyone, but a fellow Councilor?

You must be Julian’s woman, Felix had said. Did Julian think of her that way? Could she take advantage of that?

He’d been furious when she’d left with Devon. His heavy gaze was still on her, watching their every move.

The end of the music and the waltz made up her mind for her. Leah didn’t lift her arm from Devon’s shoulder. Instead, she slid closer to him. “Never mind that. Would you like to go somewhere more private?”

Chapter Fourteen

Hewasgoingtokill Devon.Julian stalked on the edge of the dance floor, his eyes glued on Leah and Devon. Fuck the consequences. He would challenge the bastard and put him aground for a century or two.

The smarmy asshole leaned close and whispered something to Leah. Julian refused to stoop so low as to listen in on their conversation, but damn it, did she have to look so sexy in that dress? Did she have to smile back at him? What was she doing, exposing her neck to a vampire? Where was her sense of self-preservation?

What was he doing? Prowling the dance floor after a woman like a love-sick puppy and contemplating murdering a centuries-old friend.

He’d decided not to claim her, so it was none of his business what she did, who she danced with, or who she smiled at. Alistair may have gone behind his back and invited Leah, but he wouldn’t fall in line with the Vampire King’s plans.

Alistair wouldn’t so neatly manipulate him into mating with a human.

A human that was working for the Organization, no less.

Yet, when the music stopped, all thoughts of opposition flew out of the window as Leah leaned into Devon and whispered something in her dance partner’s ear. Julian read her lips and saw red.

Fuck that.So what if he was not claiming her? He won’t let her go off with someone else right under his nose. If news spread that his mate chose another vampire over him, he’d never live it down.

That would be fatal for someone in his position.

Yes, that was the sole reason he stalked after them as they exited the dance floor and caught up to them at the side entrance.

“You’ve gone far enough, Devon.” Julian glowered at the other male. “Get your hands off her.”

To his annoyance, Leah scooted closer to Devon and gave him a challenging glare. “What we’re doing is none of your business.”

“You heard the lady.” Devon was lucky others were around, so Julian didn’t punch him for his gleeful grin.

Julian’s vampire, hungry for its mate, threatened to overwhelm the man. “Be careful how far you want to push me, Devon.” His voice was no longer human. “I don’t share what is mine.”

Leah’s knuckles whitened on Devon’s arm. “I am not yours.”