Page 2 of Kiss of Seduction

“No one does. Though we’re stricter with who we let into our midst. Trust can be so easily misplaced.” Natalya’s smile looked lethal. “We had an unfortunate situation not that long ago. With a vampire belonging to Night. If I recall correctly, he was your oldest spawn, Varro.”

“Respect your King, you unholy whore!” Stefano closed the gap between him and Natalya in less than a breath. He looked enraged, and Evie cowered. She had never felt his wrath, only his annoyance. Those who angered him didn’t live to see anothersunset, while those who annoyed him would meet it with only bleeding cuts or a few broken bones.

Evie expected Varro to stop his progeny, as he usually did, but he didn’t move. Stefano was allowed to rush Natalya and grab her by the throat. Then he shivered, letting out a confused gurgle before falling to the floor.

Seeing Stefano fall, one of Varro’s guards rushed at Natalya, and she shot him a glance. His legs buckled beneath him mid-stride, and he collapsed, unconscious.

Natalya hadn’t moved from her seat.

“What have you done!?” Varro yelled.

His other vampire bodyguards moved forward, fangs bared. In response, Natalya’s companions rushed to her side. They all looked tense, save for Flea, who was grinning.

“Nothing permanent,” Natalya said calmly. Her violet eyes had strands of scarlet in them now. “I do not like to be threatened, Varro. And your offspring did both that and insulted me by willfully forgetting I do not serve your Court, nor have I ever. I did nothing you wouldn’t have done in my stead.”

She glanced at the bodyguards. “If you tell your guards to stand down, I’ll do the same.”

It took a moment for Varro to react, but he waved his guards off. Natalya followed suit. The vampire who’d rushed her remained unconscious and was dragged out of the room while Stefano managed to stagger to his feet without assistance. When he was back in his chair, Natalya continued.

“We come with a simple request. We have found several vampires hunting within our territory, all pledged to you. They’ve been hard to catch, which speaks to their training.” She flashed her teeth in a warning smile. “Their presence is a nuisance. I am here to request that, in the future, you ensure your brutes stay out of the Chicago territory. Otherwise, theCourt of Chains will respond in kind. You’ve just seen what that would entail.”

Evie’s eyes widened. The Court of Chains. The city-based newborn Court housing every type of fae, fiend, and fanger in existence, if you believed the stories. Violent and murderous, they made a terrifying spectacle, as would be expected of a Court that housed demons.

“I take issue with what you say,” Varro said. “It’s true my people have gone near Chicago. It was once within my Kingdom, after all. What worries me is that all these charges of mine have vanished. You say they were caught hunting. Their orders were merely to scout. Now, I don’t take kindly to my soldiers being killed by—”

“They are not dead,” Natalya interrupted. Varro’s face tightened in anger. He wasn’t used to people speaking over him. “All Heartlands vampires found within our territory are being held at the Court of Chains, shackled in silver. They’ll be released as soon as you accept our terms.”

Varro leaned forward, curiosity outweighing annoyance. “Why haven’t you killed them already?”

“They broke the laws of both Chains and Night by hunting outside their territory. We extend the right of judgment to you.”

“Well then,” Varro said, his voice sugary. Evie tensed hearing it. He liked to coax before he pounced. “That is gracious of your King.”

“It is just.”

“Of course. Just.” Varro smiled coolly. Stefano, who had somewhat gotten over whatever Natalya had done to him, scowled.

“Don’t listen to her, Varro. You can’t trust her kind.”

Natalya tsked at him. “He’s insulting me again.”

“Stand down, Stefano.” Varro made a dismissive wave. “I find your demands more than acceptable, Natalya.”

Evie knew he was lying by his tone and by his smile. He was never this polite to people unless he was sure they wouldn’t live long enough to talk about it. When Natalya seemed to believe him, Evie couldn’t help but feel pity for her, though it wasn’t much. The Court of Chains had a bloody reputation. They weren’t exactly saints.

“However,” Varro said warmly. Evie cringed and looked down. “It’s near dawn, and you have a long journey ahead of you. Louisiana is far from Chicago, and I cannot guarantee your safety in my territory, especially not during these dark autumn days. I insist you stay here while we take our rest. You’ll leave with an escort when night falls.”

Natalya narrowed her eyes. “King Varro, I’m sure we will—”

“Iinsist,” Varro said with a little more steel in his voice. To refuse him would risk angering him. It seemed Natalya didn’t want to take that chance.

“Very well. We’ll stay until last light.”

“Perfect.” Varro flashed a smile. It echoed on Stefano’s face as well as Natalya’s, though her entourage seemed less at ease.

“Oh, and I’ve been a terrible host,” Varro said. “I haven’t offered you anything to eat. Though I don’t know what your companions would prefer.”

“We don’t require anything,” Natalya said, but Varro ignored her. He turned to Dominic sitting behind him.