Page 38 of A Token of Blood and Betrayal

He chuckled, then pointed toward a door near the farthest corner.“Cold storage.”He pointed a few degrees to the right.“Storage closet.You know, the things normal people have in their homes.”

I snorted.In truth, I hadn’t noticed either door before that moment.I’d been preoccupied with the people in the room, not its details or decor, although the now broken chaise was memorable.

“Good luck,” Marco said.The two words sounded more likeBe careful.He gave my shoulder what I hoped was an encouraging pat and not an I’ll-never-see-you-again goodbye.

“Marco.”

Marco paused near the chamber’s exit, then turned to face the compound’s new master.

“We will be adjourning to my residence,” Jared said.“Ensure it is secure and that we will not be disturbed.”

Marco bowed his head and departed.

“Satine is my responsibility,” Jared said once all the vampires were gone.“As are Nora and Kennedy.”

“You put their lives at risk.”Blake hadn’t moved, but his stance became more predatory somehow.

“They should not have come.”Jared’s gaze landed on Nora.She was unimpressed with his accusatory glare.And she was too independent to allow anyone to treat her like a snowflake.

Her robe shimmered when she crossed her arms.“I made my decision.”

I wouldn’t call her sprint out of the door a decision exactly, but her point was valid.

“I make my own decisions too,” I said.

Jared’s dark eyes shifted to me.“You were nonresponsive.”

“It doesn’t matter.”My voice was firm, my gaze steady.He needed to understand he couldn’t control everything.He couldn’t control me.

“Give me clearance to go up,” Christian said.His words were so abrupt and out of context it took a while for them to make sense.

“You’re leaving?”I asked.

“I’m not needed here.”His shoulders slumped more than usual, and his eyes looked less alert, less engaged.He was tired.It made sense.Like me, he’d only had a handful of restful nights lately.But I wanted him to stay.I needed someone on my side, and he was the only other person here who’d object to killing being the default course of action instead of the last resort.

“Wrong.”Nora dropped the single syllable like a gavel in a judgment chamber.“We’re discussing Kennedy’s dilemma.Therefore, you’re coming with us.”

“I don’t see a reason to hold the man prisoner,” Blake said.

“He’s involved in this as much as we all are.”Her gaze sharpened on Christian.“Kennedy needs you here.”

Despite thinking the same thing just moments ago, I bristled.Yes, he knew about Garion and my bargain, but it wasn’t fair to ask him to stay.“You don’t have to—”

“I don’t know anything about fey.”

“Fey?”Blake’s gaze whipped to me.“You have your memory back?”

That sounded like an accusation.“Yeah—”

“When?”he demanded.

“Recently.”I matched his tone.I wasn’t obligated to tell Blake anything.But I would have.Probably.He was familiar with at least one fey, Cyrielle, and I’d bet he knew others.

“You told them and not me.”

“I regained my memory last night.”I tried to keep the irritation from my voice.

“I was with you last night.”