Page 70 of The Vampire Court

He pauses, looking over his shoulder before disappearing around the corner.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Clara

Tap,tap, tap.

The sound is so quiet I almost dismiss it as the familiar sounds of the servants’ quarters at night, when it’s busier than the day. The night is nearly over, but there’s still an hour before dawn.

After a moment, the sound comes again. The lock rattles. Then, the door inches open, creaking lightly on the hinges.

I slide my hand under my pillow and wrap my fingers around the hilt of the dagger, being careful not to make any sudden movements.

Peeking through my lashes, I keep my breath slow and steady. It’s so dark I can’t make out much more than the size and shape of the man inching toward me.

I prepare to attack—tension coiling in my muscles.

“Clara?”

My eyes snap open as I release the dagger and sit up. The sudden movement startles Alaric into taking a step back.

“You’re here,” I say dumbly.

A dozen questions flitting through my mind, and I manage to state the obvious.

He smiles. The watery moonlight washes over the sharp features of his handsome face and the small, unassuming bat perched on his shoulder. Cherno lets out a small chirp.

I hold out my hand, beckoning Alaric to my side. He doesn’t hesitate. His fingers entwine with mine, his grip firm but gentle. Alaric climbs onto the tiny bed, situating himself next to me, our backs pressed to the wall.

Cherno crawls from his shoulder to mine and presses their face into my neck. I reach up and pat the top of his head. “I missed you, too,” I say.

The little demon stays there for a moment longer before leaping into the air. They circle the room once then glide out of the window, leaving the two of us alone.

Alaric pats the poor excuse for a mattress and gives it a disapproving look.

I laugh, leaning into his side and resting my head on his shoulder, soaking in his presence. The mark responds, and if it were a living thing, I would say it purred.

“I wasn’t allowed to return,” I say after a long moment. “He said I had to stay here from now on.”

He presses his lips to my temple and asks, “Who?”

I suspect he already knows the answer. Part of me doesn’t want to say, knowing it will annoy him, but I don’t want to lie.

“Cassius,” I say eventually. He lets out a low growl. I gently squeeze his arm and say, “He won’t harm me.”

That seems to temper his anger. Slightly.

“I did try to come sooner, but I couldn’t get away until now.” His fingers trail up and down my arm in soothing strokes. “Elizabeth is forcing my hand.”

A long silence stretches out, heavy with things unsaid. She’s using me against him. He won’t tell me because he doesn’t want me to feel guilty or attempt to fix this mess. Not that I would have the faintest idea of where to start.

“I won’t allow her to—” Alaric presses his lips into a tight line.

I pull away and look him in the eye. “What would happen if you give in to her?”

“I can’t.” He releases me, glaring at me for suggesting it.

I swallow the lump in my throat at thinking these thoughts, let alone pushing the issue. “What will happen if you don’t?”