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“A traitor?”

“Uh-huh, and I think it’s Layla.”

The declaration landed in the room like a pipe bomb. Zand’s expression shifted from bland to curiosity. He stapled his fingers together as he gracefully leaned back in his leather chair.

“That’s quite an accusation.” He finally said with a measured tone. “Especially from someone who’s been a vampire for less than a week.”

The dismissal stung me more than I was ready for. “I know what I saw. She’s been watching me and Coco in the VIP section all night. She’s been acting weird since Chanel left. Someone mentioned Chanel’s name and Layla started texting somebody.”

Harlen moved to stand beside me. “Morgan’s convinced something’s off. I figured you’d want to know, given, recent events.”

Zand’s glare moved between us. “Layla has been with me for four years. She helped build The Castle from nothing into what it is today. I trust her implicitly.”

“Implicitly?” I wasn’t trying to mock him, but throwing that word around, was a bit much. “You used to trust Teresa. You married her.” I countered, crossing my arms in front of me. “And look how that turned out.”

A flash of annoyance crossed Zand’s face, and it was gone in an instant. “Teresa is a different matter entirely.”

“Is she?” I took a step closer to his desk. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like history repeating itself. Someone close to you, someone you trust, betraying you.”

“Morgan.” Harlen warned, placing a hand on my arm that I immediately brushed off.

My voice grew stronger. “Something’s wrong with Layla. The way she watches me, the secretive texting—it all adds up to something.”

Zand stood from his chair. He circled around his desk and stood directly in front of me. I had to step back to give him space. Zand looked down at me.

“Do you have proof of these accusations? Concrete evidence that Layla is communicating with our enemies?”

I hesitated. “No, not concrete proof. But I have instincts?—”

“Instincts are unreliable, especially for new vampires.” Zand interrupted. He turned away to face the security monitors. “Your senses are heightened, but your ability to interpret what they’re telling you is still developing.”

My hands clenched into fists at my sides. “So, you’re just dismissing me? Just like that?”

“I’m being cautious.” He corrected, his tone cooling further. “Layla has proven her loyalty countless times.”

Harlen shuffled uncomfortably beside me. “Maybe we should keep an eye on her? Just to be sure?” I appreciated him pleading my case.

But Zand was already shaking his head. “I don’t have time for witch hunts based on paranoia.”

Something inside me snapped. “This isn’t paranoia. This is women’s intuition. It’s like knowing your man is cheating before you have the proof.” Zand glared at me. “And maybe if you had some degree of intuition, you would’ve been a better judge of character when you turned Teresa and married her. You were supposed to fuck her, not wife her.”

The room went deadly still. Harlen inhaled beside me. I immediately regretted my words, but I couldn’t take them back. To my surprise, Zand didn’t lash out. Instead, a small, appreciative smile curved in his lips.

“You have fire.” He acknowledged. “That’s good. You’ll need it.” He took a step back, considering me with new interest. “But passion alone isn’t enough to make these accusations true.”

“Then let me ask you something.” I said, seizing the opening.

“Ask.” He ordered.

“Did Layla know about your condo in Cheboygan? The place where Teresa took me out?”

A subtle change came over Zand’s face. There was a tightening around the eyes. “Why do you ask?”

“Because if she knew about it, and Teresa found me and Harlen there, the connection seems pretty obvious to me.” I held his gaze, refusing to back down. “Did she know?”

Zand turned away. He paced toward the windows that overlook the dance floor below. For several long moments, he said nothing, and I wondered if I’ve pushed too far.

“Layla didn’t just know about the property.” He finally said. His voice was so low I might not have heard it without vampire hearing. “She purchased it for me. Set up the LLC that holds the deed. Handled all the paperwork.”