Page 17 of Kiss of Seduction

Lily dropped to the floor next to her. Was she kneeling too? No, she had her hands on Evie’s shoulders. Lily was shaking her. Saying her name.

It was a lie. It had all been a cruel lie, and she’d allowed herself to hope.

“I thought you’d withdrawn for the day,” Natalya said icily.

“I was about to,” the man said. “Then I heard you pulled Lily into this shitshow. Varro’s not happy with you.”

“How heartbreaking.” Natalya made the words sound like acid. “Let that conniving rapist seethe. If he wants to be pissed about being cheated out of killing his guests, let him. Good thing you didn’t go. He’d have staked you in your sleep.”

“Murderous or not, he’s particularly angry about you taking his things. He mentioned a Seraphic had gone missing from his estate.”

They were talking about Evie. Varro had contacted them. He wanted her back. They were going to send her back.

Evie started shaking.

“What were you thinking?” he said angrily.

“You weren’t there,” Natalya said, voice hard. “You didn’t see what he was doing to them.”

“You think I don’t know the cruelties of Night? I’m well acquainted with what they consider entertainment. Varro isalready starting a story of how you stole one of his favorites and that you’re refusing to return his property. Too many people believe him. Too many people are getting pissed. We can’t afford more enemies.”

“Aleksander! You’re scaring her.” Lily’s voice was loud and angry. She wasyellingat a vampire.

Evie crawled away from her, trying to create some distance to her insolence. She was going to get them both killed. As Evie moved, she glanced up from the floor.

The black-haired vampire, youthful and frightening, was almost in Natalya’s face. Aleksander, he’d been called. Natalya had placed herself between him and Evie, blocking Aleksander so he couldn’t come nearer. He looked furious. Then he turned his eyes on Evie.

She quickly lowered her head.

“This is her?” Aleksander asked.

He sounded so angry. He was going to hurt her. Panicked, Evie pulled the flannel partially off, baring her ribs. Lily tried to stop her, but Evie was stronger than her. Evie turned her body so her tattoo was visible.

EVELYNA.-O-NEGSERAPHIC-LANGUAGES:ENGLISH-SPECIALSKILLS:DANCING

It was all she was. He needed to know her value so he could best decide how to use her. If he found her valuable, he might let her stay. He might let her live.

“Evie, look at me.” Natalya’s voice. Assertive, unwavering, and so close.

Evie looked up. Natalya had crouched down in front of her, violet eyes stern.

“He’s not going to hurt you. Sit up.”

An order. Orders were easy to follow. They didn’t leave room for responses that could make someone angry.

Evie sat up. Natalya pulled the flannel back on her, covering her again.

“We need to solve this, Natalya,” Aleksander said.

“She’s not going back there.”

“Obviously not, but—”

“Let me worry about it. My fuck up, my clean up, right?” Natalya’s eyes flared with anger. She stood and turned to Aleksander. “And next time I tell you to stay out of my office, it’s not something you’re going to treat as a fucking suggestion. Especially not when we’re well past dawn.”

Aleksander looked displeased, but he didn’t oppose what she was saying.

“And I’m keeping your flower for the day,” Natalya said, glaring at Aleksander. “Go on, King. To bed with you.”