Page 65 of Claim Me

“Our crossover into being phantoms is unique, to say the least,” Bane murmurs. “It’s all tied to rituals in Scotland, not a death plane.”

“It’s not common, nor is it a source of magic that many people can access. I mean, most witches don’t even know it exists. Hell, not even many death fae know about it. But it’s tied to my family’s rites and our specific link with death magic.”

That also sounds rather truthful. However, I’m not sure where she’s going with this. “So you visited the death plane yesterday and again today. Why?”

“I don’t really know,” she says slowly. “Yesterday seemed to be triggered by Klas’s death. And today… I just sort of returned for unknown reasons.”

I narrow my gaze as her pulse kicks up a notch.A lie,I realize. Which suggests that some of what she’s said about the death plane may actually be true, but the rest of it is a fabrication—particularly, her explanation of why she visited the death plane today.

“And I saw my sister there,” she rushes on to say, her heartbeat singing along at a high-pitch tune that sounds likelie, lie, lieto my senses. “Which must have spiraled me into the nightmare when you brought me back.” She shrugs as if to say that’s it.

My jaw ticks.Why does this female have to be so fucking infuriating?

Only minutes ago, I was willing to move heaven and hell to help her sister, all because Fallon’s cries resembled deadly arrows to my heart.

And now, all I want to do is throttle the woman in front of me.

If there’s one thing I hate in life, it’s a liar. Fallon Doyle hasn’t exactly lied to me until today. She’s omitted a few truths or outright refused to tell me things. But this? This story? It’s a blatant fucking lie. And I don’t appreciate it. Not after everything I’ve offered her over the last year.

Shelter.

Food.

Safety.

Fallon’s deadly spell last year took down an entire city. While my House knows the truth about that day, there are many constituents who remain uneasy about Fallon’s gifts. Which is why I assigned Bane and Nox to guard her. I wanted to ensure her safety in case anyone decided to come after her in some misguided attempt at retribution.

It was never about protecting my House from her, but protecting her from those who may feel wronged by her.

And she thanks me by lying?

Unacceptable.

“I’m going to give you one more chance to tell me the truth, Miss Doyle,” I say as I push off the wall and stalk toward her. “I recommend you take that chance seriously.”

“Kaspian.” Bane tries to slide into my path, but I quickly maneuver around him. Being a master vampire comes with many perks, including increased strength and speed.

Fallon’s green eyes widen as I corner her, her feet backpedaling quickly toward the sliding doors of her balcony. They’re closed, which stops her from fleeing as her back meets the glass.

I wrap my palm around her throat, my opposite hand going to her hip. “Let’s start from the beginning. Where’s your sister?”

Her jaw visibly clenches, her emerald irises swirling with barely restrained flames. “Why do you care?”

“Because I want the truth,” I growl at her.

“Why?” she demands. “Why do you feel entitled to my secrets, Kaspian? Because you fear my powers? You’re worried I may use them to hurt your people? And you assume knowing more about my past, about my sister, will somehow put those fears to rest?”

“I don’t fear you, Fallon,” I say through my teeth. “But yes, your powers are too intense and overwhelming to be easily accepted. And knowing you’re hiding things from me makes it that much harder to trust you with your abilities.”

“So you’re worried I may combust and put the city to sleep again,” she deadpans. “And becauseyouare worried,Ihave to prove myself to you by giving up my secrets. Even ones that bear no consequence on our situation.”

“You just visited a death plane that I know nothing about and essentially died in the process. I would argue that bears relevance to our current predicament,” I point out, my hand tightening around her throat. “So stop fucking playing with me and be blunt for once.”

“Blunt,” she repeats, a humorless laugh following. “Fine. My sister is dead. It’s a terrible story that I don’t feel like reliving right now. The end.”

My eyes narrow. “More lies.” And this time I can’t just hear it in her pulse; I can feel it against my damn thumb.

“How would you even know?” she demands. “You don’t know my truths. So don’t tell me what’s a lie and what’s not.”