Page 146 of Claimed By Fangs and Darkness

“Are you okay?” I asked. “Something’s wrong,” I said, girlish and confused.

His brother rushed toward us, right into the lingering, faint cloud of shimmering powder. He inhaled and joined his brother in a peaceful waking dream state.

“Okay, cool, be right back,” I said.

Had I just done that?

I couldn’t help my grin. So far tonight I’d lied, seduced, and incapacitated… and it wasn’t even seven o’clock. Maybe I was actually fantastic at subterfuge, and everyone who’d doubted me should feel pretty fucking embarrassed right now.

These were my triumphant thoughts as I slipped into the vacant hall and toward the illuminated door. My steps were careful, testing the floor for creaks before extending any amount of weight.

The powder wouldn’t do any harm. The vampires would recover and have no recollection of what had happened, as if they’d merely lost time. I’d snap them out of their spell as soon as I returned.

Ear pressed against the door, I said a silent prayer to Hekate that no one else decided to wander upstairs while I eavesdropped.

“Just because we have Hemsworth doesn’t mean we have Godfrey by default,” Aster said.

“I know that,” Conrad snapped, irritated. “We need Kole gone.Hewill be the one they send to Valentin.”

“Why would Kole go for that?”

“The little weasel craves validation. He’ll bend with the right push. We don’t need him sniffing around for breadcrumbs. Spineless ass-kisser that he is. I have a feeling we can focus on this group next…”

The floor creaked. I stifled a scream as cold fingers suddenly brushed through my hair.

Juliette placed her head on the door next to mine. Her dark wavy hair was damp, her white dress thin and revealing.

I waited for her to blow my cover, but once again, she didn’t. She just put a finger to her lips with a big, childlike smile, her gray eyes dancing with mischief.

I realized in my panic I’d missed parts of the conversation, tuning back in when I heard my name.

“She’s perfect,” Aster said.

Juliette’s eyes drained of light, but her smile remained.

“She’s the perfect missing piece.”

Conrad grumbled something I couldn’t discern. “I’ve kept word of her from reaching Prospyrus. No easy feat after that little temper tantrum.”

“Did you have to take him out?”

“No. Bribery was less messy this time.”

I memorized the names they’d mentioned, repeating them over and over again in my head. They’d been discussing council members. I was sure of it. Because I recognized Kole as the loyalist Vesper said had it out for Conrad and Asper.

“What are they waiting for? The bastard children? It doesn’t make sense,” Aster spat. “I tire of this. The sooner it’s done, the sooner we can leave. I hate thatmybride is stained by her association with the vermin.”

My lips formed a thin line. Juliette stroked my hair. I fought the urge to tackle her to the ground and blow my own cover as I squeezed the everlasting fuck out of her neck.

“Would taking her now help?” Conrad asked.

A pause. “I made vows. I want her to choose it. And she will. She’s warming to me.”

“But not to your mental patient,” Conrad muttered.

Juliette’s face soured. Smug satisfaction warmed my gut.

“Enough. Don’t speak about my wife that way,” Aster said, but not nearly as strongly as Conrad had been speaking tohim.