Page 75 of The Vampire Curse

“Why did he claim you, Clara?” he asks. “Why would he claim a human now, after years of refusing to even consider it?”

I want to lie and say I don’t know, but my instincts scream not to. “If you want to know, then ask him yourself. You must think a lot of me to assume I know his mind.”

Suspicion settles over his shoulders like a cloak. I see it in his eyes first as they widen and then narrow. “What do you know of the vampire that was killed during the claiming?” he asks, almost too calmly.

My stomach gutters and I’m glad I'm sitting because I don’t think my legs could hold me up. I can’t admit everything to him. It would mean certain death.

Focus… keep your heartbeat slow,my mind commands.

I pull in a slow breath and say, “I know there was a vampire killed around the time he claimed me.” Lawrence quirks a brow at that admission. “And I know that she was his sister.”

There… not a lie, but not an admission of guilt.

Lawrence bares his teeth. “I find it to be too much of a coincidence that Rosalie is murdered, and Alaric just happens to claim you. What do you know of her death?”

He snarls, red rings his irises, threatening to consume the green and gold of his hazel eyes.

I shouldn’t be offended by his accusation since it’s true. Nevertheless, the revenge for Rosalie’s death is not his to take.

I slide one hand over the top of the piano, next to his. I straighten my back and hold my chin high, leaning in so close, our noses nearly touch. I bare my teeth. “Do not threaten me, Mr. Harkstead. It will not end well.”

He goes to speak but stops as the movement of his jaw presses the underside of his chin down on the dagger's point. The slightest pressure from my hand is all it would take to drive it into his skin. It might not be a killing blow, but I don’t intend it to be if he forces me to follow through.

“He gave you her dagger?” he speaks with venom, but I don’t miss the sliver of pain in his voice. “Or did you steal it?”

“If you want to know about Rosalie’s death, then ask Mr. Devereaux. But don’t think you can corner me with the pretense of civilized conversation and threaten me into telling you whatever you want to hear.”

Lawrence backs up a step and smooths the lapel of his jacket. I stand as well now, wanting to equalize the power between us as much as possible. He still towers over me. I’m not as small and delicate as Kathrine, but I’m not what anyone would consider tall.

“I can’t prove anything—yet, but I know you had something to do with Rosalie’s murder. What I can’t figure out is why Alaric would protect you.” He turns from me and strides to leave, pausing in the doorway to look back over his shoulder. “This will not end well for you, Miss Valmont.” He echoes my words. “You or Alaric. Whatever it isyouhave done, you should know you won't be the only one who will end up paying for it.”

And then he’s gone.

I remain standing for one minute… two… three. When Lawrence doesn’t return, I slip the dagger back into my pocket and drop down to the piano bench.

How had I managed to draw on avampirewithout him noticing?

Guilt forms knots in my stomach. Rosalie must have meant something to him—that, or he had simply underestimated my ability to protect myself.

A shiver crawls down my spine from the encounter. I am so used to feeling safe when I am with Alaric, I keep forgetting how dangerous vampires can be.

I still want to talk to that infuriating man, but he’s probably still in the drawing room with Oliver. No doubt it was the reason why Lawrence chose this moment to have a chat with me.

Resting my elbows on the closed lid, I hold my chin in my hands and chew on my bottom lip.

Lawrence seemed to have only just learned of Rosalie’s death. He connected my claiming with the timing, which I suppose isn’t that difficult.

Alaric is still keeping her death a secret to protect me. I just wish I knew why. Most importantly, what repercussions would Alaric face for sheltering me all this time?

It’s been less than an hour. Less than half… if that. I’m tempted to wait outside the doors to catch Alaric the second he leaves the room, but there is no telling how long their talk will take.

There is a tug in my chest, urging me to seek him out. I rub my hand over the spot trying to quell the sensation. Even if I didn’t know where he was, I think thisfeelingwould lead me straight to him.

It’s lessened now to a dull hum from the blinding need that first took hold. It scares me that I want the second mark. I am not ready for the final mark yet—it seems toopermanent.I’m not sure if I’ll ever be prepared for that.

For now, though, I need to get close to it. I had already decided on asking for two of the three marks the moment he explained everything because it would keep me safe… but now I think I might want the second for an entirely different reason.

Chapter Twenty-Eight