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“Nevermind with the movie. How about you explain what you guys meant the other day when you mentioned Bastien was kept because he held value?”

Asher hummed and nodded, looking away for the first time.

“Of course, the curious girl wants to know everything.” He cupped the side of my head with his large palm. I couldn’t deny the flutters that erupted at his claim. “Bastien has sired many vampires, and their allegiance is to Crimson Coven.”

Maddy’s explanation added context to those words. So if they all sired many, collectively they were powerful, or at least exponentially more than individually.

“So, Imogen wanted to keep him because of his contribution?” I couldn’t hide the horror in my tone. I recalled the careless way they chained him up . . . the lack of clothing. “And you guys kept him in that state for years because of his usefulness?”

“Decades really, but it was worse when Imogen was around. Bastien came to disgust her.”

I sucked in a breath.

I hated her more with each piece of information I learned.

The doorbell dinged.

Asher brushed my hair behind my ear.

“I will return.” He smoothly strode away.

I sat, wrapping my head around the new information.

These were all things I must consider if I turned into a vampire. I didn’t want to lose myself.

Maddy had been watching us the entire time, but I tried ignoring her eagle-like attention. Slipping off the stool, I trailed after Asher.

“She’s not dead,” Asher’s voice echoed to me as I strode down the hall toward the living room. “Who are you to search for her?” A threat rang in his tone.

“She’s . . . not dead?” The familiar voice reached into my gut and squeezed my stomach.

No, no, no, no. He couldn’t be here. My worst nightmare bloomed to life before me.

TWENTY-FOUR

catalina

I froze for one second.Two. Then I burst forward, elbowing Asher out of the way.

Numbness spread to my fingertips.

No. He had to go. They couldn’t see him. What would I do?

I was going to throw up.

“Peter.” I couldn’t feel my lips. “Wh-what are you doing here?”

“You’re not dead?” His voice cracked. He clutched a phone in hand. “I got a call from your lawyer, and I was told to collect what may be left in the fire. They said you died.” He shook his head, eyelashes damp. “I needed to charge my phone.”

He rambled, shaking.

I moved forward, arm outstretched. Asher clutched my shirt and yanked me backwards.

“He’s my brother, Asher.” I elbowed free. I wrapped my hand around his forearm and pulled him inside. He didn’t seem to focus on anything.

His features stayed washed out as he followed my tugging. I managed to get him sitting on the living room couch.

“What happened to your house?”