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“I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you,” Vladimir retorted. “And if you keep interrupting me, I won’t get to the best part—the part you’re dying to know.”

Lucienne sighed, knowing Vladimir would never miss a chance to brag, particularly to Kian. “We opened the vault that no one has been able to since 775CE . The monks hadn’t a clue their Holy Grail was right inside the Gonkhang Chapel. You know what Bon demon is, right?”

“Just finish the damn story,” Kian said.

“I wish you could have been there to watch how we removed one impossible obstacle after another. She was awesome. We both were,” Vladimir said. Lucienne could feel his gaze caressing her.

“If you were that awesome, how did you almost end up in the bottom of that abyss with over a thousand warrior monks on your sorry ass?” Kian questioned.

Lucienne opened her eyes, in time to see Vladimir’s reaction. He blinked his long lashes, pain and fury moving across his striking features. “It’s true. I almost cost her life. If you hadn’t shown up, we’d probably be dead. I swear to God, I’m going back to Samye to make them pay!”

“The bullet wasn’t from the monks,” Kian said .

“Did someone follow us?” Lucienne asked. A fire of dark anger leapt into her eyes.

Kian nodded. The line on his face hardened.

“The sniper followed you from the continent. We got Intel, but a bit too late. I almost lost you.” He paused, collecting himself.

When he spoke again, his voice was calm and gentle.

“If there’s anything you want in the future, you can always come to me,” he said.

“Don’t just run away. Promise me you’ll never do that again. ”

“Fine,” Lucienne said. “But how did you find us? I left no trail.”

“It took me a few hours to figure out where you’d headed after you lost your three bodyguards,” Kian said. “They freaked out.”

“I’ll buy them some nice gifts after I get home,” Lucienne said with a resigned sigh.

“They don’t care about gifts. Your safety is everything to them. You’re only lucky your enemies thought you eloped with that idiot hotshot. If they had known you were onto something this big—”

“—they’d have sent an army after us?” Vladimir asked incredulously.

“They definitely would,” said Orlando.

“Is it the Sealers who sent the assassin?” Lucienne felt bile in her mouth.

“Who are the Sealers?” Vladimir asked.

“The rise of a female Siren has awoken all those who failed to reach the throne themselves. Lucienne’s enemies, inside and out, formed a secret society called the Sealers a few months ago,” Dr. Wren chimed in. “Their sole purpose is to put our dear girl inside a coffin and seal it.”

“They’ll have to crawl over my dead body to get to her!” Vladimir’s eyes flared black fire. “I’ll bury this cult alive in a cheap coffin and seal them for good.”

“Orlando shot the sniper. The evidence died with the assassin, but we’ll get to the bottom of this. Right now,” Kian darted a grim glance at Vladimir, “you might want to consider where to place that hot potato before your grandfather gets home.”

“Vladimir isn’t a problem,” Lucienne said. “I’m also the Siren. I don’t need Jed’s approval. My personal business is mine alone. Vlad will stay.”

“Hey, I’m still here,” Vladimir said. “I understand you guys are fascinated with me, but I’d appreciate it if you two would check with me first on how I’d like things to get done.”

“It isn’t easy for Jed,” Kian told Lucienne. “He’s fading, and you only get stronger.”

“Should I be blamed for being young and strong?” Lucienne said over Kian’s forlorn look. The power struggle between her grandfather and her hadn’t been easy on anyone, particularly Kian. But then it was never easy to have two Sirens. “Fine,” she sighed. “I’ll negotiate nicely with my grandfather.”

“Actually, I think I should talk to him,” Vladimir said. “I excel at talking.”

“Sure, you talked her right into that deep hole,” Kian said, glowering at Vladimir’s now sullen look. “Jed might like this idiot. You can never predict the man’s taste. He might even approve of the idiot going thousands of miles with you just to rob the monks.”

Lucienne felt her cheeks burning hot despite her blood loss. A light of delight flitted in her eyes. She knew Kian had finally accepted Vladimir, and that meant the world to her.

“I heard Mr. Lam has cultivated tastes,” Vladimir said.

“If you ever risk her life again,” said Kian, shooting the prince a malicious look, “I’ll take you out personally.”

“Fair,” Vladimir said. “But Lucia is the Siren. She must lead. She can’t and won’t cower behind anyone like an ordinary girl. And you know that, too. She’s a force of nature. She’ll continue to find herself in dangerous situations, but I’ll be with her every step to keep her safe.”

Kian growled .

Lucienne wouldn’t allow Vladimir’s mouth to turn things sour again. “Are you two ever going to let me rest?” she said miserably. “I’m in pain, I’m tired, and I’m so thirsty! And you two are giving me a headache. Will you be quiet for a minute?”

Kian and Vladimir immediately looked remorseful. The two fought to bring Lucienne water and complained about Lucienne’s needs being neglected. Dr. Wren snatched the bottle of water from Kian’s hand and shooed off Vladimir.

Lucienne sipped the water gratefully.

“As the Siren, you can never open your heart, especially to those who are closest and dearest to you,” Jed had said. “They’re the ones who have a chance to bleed you dry. And they will if you let your guard down for even half a heartbeat.”

Lucienne regarded Kian and Vladimir. She would put her life in their hands in a heartbeat. And with that trust, she sank into a dreamless sleep.

When she awoke again, she was back home in the Red Mansion, where Kian, Vladimir, and her warriors would keep her safe from dangers and dark plots. And that was all she asked for today.