Page 92 of Inked & Bloodbound

I stay on the ground, hunched forward, knuckles digging into thestone, waiting for the throbbing sensations to subside. Sucking in deep, slow breaths that reverberate through the room. Rough, ragged, and desperate.

“Fascinating,” Lazaro says, watching me writhe through the binding process with clinical interest. “I wondered if that would work differently, given your royal lineage.”

Something in his tone makes me look up sharply. “What?”

His smile is all teeth. “Oh, did you think I didn’t know who you are, Cassini Valbruna? The firstborn son of Notte DiMarco. The prodigal prince himself.”

Ice floods my veins. “How?—”

“You still don’t get it, do you? Nothing happens in this city without my say-so. I have eyes and ears in every corner. In every rat hole. In this kingdom…I. Am. God.” He circles me slowly, like a predator savoring a kill. “You think removing the Fontaine girl from Nocturne with such little resistance was accidental? I have been nudging you in the right direction and removing roadblocks for months. Patiently waiting for you to free yourself from your bloodbinding so I could tether you to me instead. A gift for your father.”

I use what’s left of my strength and attempt to stand, but he swiftly kicks me in the ribs. The metal cap of his foot lands right on the still-sizzling wound and sends me crashing back to the ground.

“Stay where you are, Valbruna,” he warns.

“You knew my father?” I wince. “He won’t let this stand. He’ll come for you. He’ll kill us both.”

“Oh, I’m counting on it,” he says, baring his teeth. “Notte and I have…history. Old grudges, philosophical differences. He betrayed me once, cost me dearly. I’ve been waiting centuries for the perfect revenge.”

“You wanted me specifically.” It’s not a question.

“Yes. Though I must admit, I never anticipated you would sacrifice yourself for that captivating woman. I assumed you would try and keep her for yourself. Perhaps run when pressed, as you’ve been doing for so long. Either way, I was prepared to hunt you both.” He laughs, delighted with his own cleverness. “But this? This is so muchbetter. Notte’s precious heir, bound in service to his greatest enemy. A medium on my doorstep, infatuated with a cursed man. The poetry of it is exquisite.”

Rage builds in my chest, but the binding crushes it immediately. The pain is so intense I double over, gasping.

“I wanted you both, of course,” Lazaro continues conversationally. “But I’m sure she’ll come around eventually. I can be very persuasive.”

The casual threat in his voice makes me want to tear his throat out. The binding responds with agony so severe I taste copper.

“Julian,” Lazaro says, and I hear the crossbow being lowered. “There’s no need for that anymore. Our new friend won’t be causing any trouble, will you, Cassini?”

I try to speak, to tell him exactly what I think of him and his fucking blood oath, but the words won’t come. The binding won’t let them.

“No,” I force out through gritted teeth. “I won’t.”

“Excellent.” Lazaro claps his hands. “Welcome to the family.”

30

LILY

ONE MONTH LATER

My life has become smaller.

It’s been a thirty one days since I walked out of that underground dining room and left Cassini behind, and the world I now inhabit feels like it’s shrunk to the size of a fishbowl. I haven’t been to work—called in indefinitely on “family emergency” leave, which isn’t entirely a lie.

The mysterious appearance of two hundred fifty thousand dollars in my checking account two weeks ago made that decision easier, though I suspect it’s blood money from Lazaro. Hush money to keep me compliant.

Maybe I should have rejected it, but I consider it a kind of asshole tax. Small compensation for my near-death experience at the hands of his disgusting twins. I still have nightmares about them, often waking in a cold sweat and screaming bloody murder. Even the prowling vampires stationed outside my home have complained about it. I hear them thinking loudly about how annoying I am, but I can’t shake the terror that has lodged itself in my marrow.

Even when I received a parcel containing charred remains andtwo polished teeth, it brought me little comfort. The note that accompanied the box read:

“My dear girl, you’ll be pleased to know that one of the twins who harmed you is no more. I considered executing both, but I felt it more fitting that the other should be forced to live an eternity without his other half. Consider it a punishment for their slight against you. I do hope this pleases you. You know where to find me if you change your mind. Lazaro.”

I don’t spend his money on anything extravagant. Just groceries, bills, the basics. It feels dirty, like accepting it makes me complicit in whatever game he’s playing, but I’m out of other options. I can’t go back to work like this.

The surveillance is constant now. There’s always a black sedan parked across the street at night, a different vampire behind the wheel each time. During the day, it’s the crows. Everywhere I go—the grocery store, the gym, the coffee shop—there’s at least one watching me with those intelligent black eyes. I read somewhere that crows can remember faces and hold grudges for years. I wonder what I did to piss these ones off.