Page 61 of A Clash of Moonlight

A third reference to the werewolf. Jared’s hands curled on the arms of his chair, and he pushed a warning into his scion, a pressure that threatened to bruise his aura.

Deagan took a little too long to bow his head. “My apologies, my lord.”

Empty words. Deagan wanted an emotional response.

His scion took a seat on the couch. For a handful of seconds, Deagan studied him, then he crossed an ankle over his knee and launched into conversation. “Laila is managing Swirl well. She’s luring in an older crowd than the previous owner catered to, a crowd with more money to spend. Profits grew twelve percent this month. The bar was a good investment. She wants to know if you would like it to cater to vampires and humans or if it should be neutral territory, open to all paranorms.”

He did not respond. Deagan liked to talk, especially when Jared was… like this. He continued talking even when Jared turned his attention to Elsa, who approached with an aura emitting satisfaction. She had drunk from him an hour ago. So had Yasmin, the woman following behind her. Silas also came, licking blood from his lips.

“I did not call you,” Jared said.

The older vampires paused. They bowed their heads, then turned to go back to the game room.

“No,” Jared said. “I want you to leave.”

Silas glanced uncertainly over his shoulder. “We’ll stay out of the—”

“Now. All of you.”

“But it’s less than an hour before dawn,” Yasmin protested.

“Twenty-two minutes,” Deagan commented. “You should get the others and hurry.”

Silas’s expression darkened. “We won’t make it in time.”

Deagan shrugged. “If you stay here, we will kill you. Your choice.”

Silas’s nostrils flared. He nodded to Yasmin, who hurried back to the game room. “If we die, our masters will come for you.”

Deagan’s smile revealed his fangs. “Of course. We shall look forward to that conversation.”

Yasmin returned with the other vampires. They hurried toward the stairs that would take them to the surface. Some were still donning shirts and pants. Others were fully clothed but disheveled.

When the last vampire left, Deagan turned back to him. “I didn’t know there was room for so many.”

“It was a little cramped,” Elsa piped up. She leaned against the opposite arm of the couch from where Deagan sat.

She should have left with the others. It had been very difficult not to kill her tonight. It was even harder not to kill her now. She was naive and lacked the respect he deserved.

“I am shocked that she is still alive,” Deagan said.

“She was a gift from Arcuro. I will contact Grisham today, and you will take her to Florida. Then you will stay there. He is Aged. He will be able to break my bond with you and Elsa.”

Deagan did not react to the declaration.

Elsa frowned and looked between them. “What does that mean? Who’s Grisham?”

“He means to be rid of us.”

“You will leave at sunset.”

“I will take her as you command,” Deagan said. “I will not stay.”

“I am not giving you a choice. I no longer want your services.”

“Do I get a choice?” Elsa demanded. “Because I’m happy here.”

“Sending her away is as much a rejection of your master’s gift as killing her is.” Deagan uncrossed his ankle, setting both feet flat on the floor as if he were preparing to face an attack. “Are you allowing her to live because she looks like Nora?”