Page 93 of The Vampire Court

Then he leaves me alone.

Finding an ally is imperative… but can anyone be trusted?

Canhebe trusted?

Chapter Thirty-Three

Alaric

The door opens,just enough for Cassius’s face to show, his body blocking the view of the room.

My nostrils flare as the sharp tang of human and vampire blood wafts from inside. “What is going on in there?”

“You shouldn’t be here,” Cassius says blandly. “What do you want?”

“Is Clara in there?”

Cassius arches a golden brow. “You know better than to ask that.”

“Tell me if she’s here.” I pause before adding, “Please.”

Cassius looks over my shoulder where Cherno flies in erratic circles in the air then back to me. “She is.”

I press against the door, intending to push past him. He doesn’t budge.

“You are Elizabeth’s consort first and a human’s master last,” he says. Lowering his voice, he adds, “Coming here will only put her in more danger. You need to stay away from Miss Valmont.”

His words are a reminder that keeps me from forcing my way in to Clara. I straighten and adopt a blank mask. “I have a message,” I say. “There’s to be a court meeting at midnight, per our queen’s decree.”

Cassius shifts, giving me a sliver of sight into the room. I don’t see Clara or evidence of the blood I smell.

“Has Elizabeth demoted you to her little errand boy now? That’s quite the status fall, even for you.”

“Be careful,” I say, bringing my face close to his and flashing my fangs, “You would do well to remember your place. I might never have wanted this position, but I am here now and will soon have even more power at my fingertips.” Stepping back, I straighten. “I am giving you this message for a reason.”

Cassius studies me with a pensive expression. Finally, he says, “Then, tell me therealreason you’re here.”

I remain silent for a long moment before saying, “I want to see her.”

“We both know why you can’t do that. Do not be a fool.”

I snarl. “She bears my mark, not yours or anyone else’s. And so help me, if you touch her—”

Cassius grins wickedly. “Again,my prince.” He spits the words as though they’re an insult. “That is no longer your concern.”

I grip him by the front of his shirt and bring my face within an inch of his. “Do not touch her.”

“That is up to Clara.” He pushes my hands off and smooths out the wrinkles from his shirt. “Did you know she killed another vampire? Another court member and he wasn’t even demon cursed.”

Whatever I was about to say or do evaporates. I gape. “Who?”

“Alexander Hughes.”

“The one from the reclaiming…” It takes everything in me to not demand the details. The blood… it is hers, but there’s another’s mixed with it.

Cassius nods. “She is unharmed, but you will need to do something if you don’t want to see her dead.”

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