Page 50 of The Vampire Court

His face darkens at the mention of Alaric. “Why do you care? He’s a vampire, no different than the rest of us.”

“He claimed me, but I choose his mark. I asked for it.”

Cassius caresses the side of my face with his knuckles.

“I wasn’t sure about you until that day I had Victor go looking for you,” he says more to himself then to me.

I rear back, stumbling until the backs of my legs hit the bed. “You… You set that up?” I snap. “You knew he was demon cursed?”

“Suspected,” he corrects, admitting what he did as if it were nothing. “I suspected he was demon cursed.”

White, hot anger flashes before my vision. “You used me as bait? I could have died!”

Cassius shrugs. “I had a feeling you wouldn’t.”

A sharp, ugly laugh bursts out of me. “It’s a good thing you showed up when you did because I almost died.”

“I showed up exactly when I intended to. I wasn’t about to leave him in the room with you any longer than needed to confirm my suspicions.” Cassius leans in until his face is within an inch of mine. “Besides, did you honestly think I left that dagger where you could reach by accident?” he asks quietly.

That confession takes me aback. “What?”

“Yes, little bird. I left it there for you to use.” He nods slowly and pulls his face away.

I ball my hands into fists at my side, fighting the urge to slap him. “What if he’d stabbed me?”

“Whatever transpired between you two before I walked in was the thing that pushed Victor over the edge. He was too far gone to see that he could have used it on you. But you… I knew you would take the opportunity if it presented itself.” He frowns. “I had expected you to use it sooner than you did.”

I’d been too busy keeping an eye on the cursed vampire to formulate much of a plan.

“You’re a bastard,” I snap.

“I know.” He dips his chin and steps closer. One hand grazes the side of my arm, the other gestures to the bed.

“I’m not going to trust you,” I repeat. “I didn’t before, and I’m not going to now.”

I sit on the bed and pull my legs up. Cassius reaches over and drags the worn blanket on top of me. I might as well be asleep for all the attention he gives to my words.

“We…” I motion between us. “We are not friends.”

“That’s fine,” he says, leaning forward, one hand planted on either side of my head. “I will still be your friend even if you’re not mine.”

I press a hand to his chest and push him back. Then slow and calm, I say, “No, thank you.”

Cassius settles on the foot of my bed, back pressed to the wall. His long legs hang off the edge.

“You can leave,” I say.

“I will be staying right here.” There’s a long pause. Then, he adds so quietly I’m not sure he meant for me to hear, “Alaric’s presence seems to keep these night terrors of yours at bay. Perhaps mine will do the same.”

I twist to my side, trying to ignore the warmth radiating off him and the hope that his being here really will keep the demon away. It feels wrong to be grateful to him for that.It should not be him.

Sliding my hand under my pillow, I find the familiar leather wrapped hilt of the dagger.

Come to me.

The demon from the dungeon had visited tonight. I chew on my bottom lip. The demon didn’t attack; they didn’t even follow when I ran.

They want something from me… Varin said as much in the dungeon when they healed me.