Page 159 of Kiss of Seduction

Maybe it was because she was a Seraphic. Or maybe it was just coincidence. She wasn’t sure. She had a feeling this fiend wouldn’t accept an answer like that.

So she lied.

“The Chains contract,” she gasped. “The necklace.”

Vex frowned, looking down at the purple Chain pendant around Evie’s neck. She reached out for it.

As her fingers touched it, she screamed in pain. She let Evie go, pulling back so fast it was like she’d been burned. Evie moved away from her, rushing through the apartment to where Natalya was still trying, and failing, to get closer to Vex.

Natalya was covered in black blood. Her arm was twisted in the wrong direction, and her clothing was torn to pieces. She was more naked than not, and she was staring at Vex with such filling rage it made her look like a monster. Evie didn’t care, quickly moving to her side. Natalya pulled Evie behind her.

“Clever trick, you little liar.” Vex growled and shook her hand. “So the Chains are giving the pets sage-quenched trinkets now? That is particularly pathetic.”

“Stay away from her,” Natalya snarled. “You do not touch her.”

“Not in a sharing mood? You really are smitten.” Vex pretended to throw up.

“She’smine.”

“I heard you the first time.” Vex looked at Evie again, the sight of her now mostly scarlet eyes making Evie cower behind Natalya. “I understand the infatuation better now. She’s intriguing.”

The fiends stared at one another. Natalya with vicious hatred. Vex with frustration and annoyance. They both looked haggard, Natalya more so. But Vex wasn’t approaching, instead stepping backward. There was a faint glow through her clothes, rounding over her chest. Strange symbols shining like fire through the fabric.

“Some advice before I leave. Consider it a courtesy, from one Lady to another,” Vex said. The glowing symbols illuminated her in a faint, fiery light. “Make sure your sweet darling is looked after. Regal, black eyes are on her. In this case, they are hungrier than even mine. I should know. They watch my circle often enough.”

With a final annoyed sneer, flames burst from Vex’s chest, engulfing her before they and she disappeared in a puff of smoke.

The fiend was gone, and the shadows in the apartment lightened.

Chapter 43

Nothing was safe. The world wasn’t safe. Theapartmentwasn’t even safe.

Evie hadn’t let terror overwhelm her at first, even after Vex was gone. Natalya was hurt, and it made her forget the fear. Natalya almost collapsed after Vex vanished, and it was only Evie kissing her that allowed her to stay standing. She’d kissed her again right afterward, even started to demand they do more than that just out of frightened concern. Natalya had refused, and only after repeating over and over that she was alright did Evie let fear overtake her.

Natalya had put on fresh clothes before calling Aleksander. The King of Chains had arrived shortly after with an entourage in tow. Drago was there, as well as a Night vampire Evie didn’t recognize who introduced himself as Hasan Khara. Lily was there too. Hearing there had been an assassination attempt in the high-rise, Aleksander didn’t want to let her out of his sight.

Evie paid attention to none of them. She sat on the couch, curling into Natalya’s side and burying her face in the fabric of her dress, as the people around them spoke of things Evie didn’t want to hear.

At first, there was cursing, mostly from Aleksander. Then worried questions about Vex herself. What type she was, if she was greater or not, what she had said exactly. Natalya answered it all, stroking Evie’s arms as she spoke. When Aleksander started asking Evie a question, Natalya made such a frightening snarl it shut the vampire King up immediately.

“Not now, Aleksander. Not you.”

The vampires withdrew, the two men talking amongst themselves while Drago paced near Natalya. He kept his eyes on the shadows, reminding Evie of a wolf looking for prey.

“Your hovering is admirable, Drago,” Natalya said. “But there is no need. The danger is gone. You’re the only threatening thing in here.”

The fiend rumbled out a truly terrifying noise. He stopped pacing, though he still watched the shadows.

“You sure she’s gone?” Evie asked quietly.

“I’m sure,” Natalya said. “Her marks lit up. It means she was either summoned back by her Master or did it on her own. Likely the latter. We’re safe.”

“I can’t believe they’d send an assassin,” Lily said. She was sitting next to Evie, holding onto her hand. “They must be getting desperate.”

“I don’t get it.” Evie shook her head, confused. “She could have killed me. She had so many chances, but she…”

Evie’s jaw hurt from Vex squeezing it. She could still feel where her fingers had closed around her throat.