Page 28 of The Vampire Debt
“She infuriates me,” I grind out the words unwillingly. “Claiming her was a mistake.”
Cherno lets out a snort. “From one insult? I would have thought you would be impervious to that sort of thing by this point.”
“You were at dinner,” I say flatly. “Why must you insist I tell you about it?”
A smile.Damned demon sent bat.
They fly to the chandelier in the center of the room and hang upside-down, holding the letter in their tiny, clawed hands.
“She killed Rosalie.”
“So you have said…” Cherno hums thoughtfully. “But baring that, perhaps there is more to the situation. After all, if revenge and hiding from the court was your goal, then why does she still live?”
“That is the only thing that matters,” I snap.
“You knew this fate would come to Rosalie sooner or later.” I flinch at the truths they speak. “There are a number of humans that would see all vampires killed, and Rosalie made herself vulnerable to mortals. Her heart was too soft to resist them.”
I stare into the fire, watching the flames as they dance. “I don’t know what it is about her that gets to me.” I admit quietly. “She is nothing like I expected.”
“You are used to humans cowering before you in fear or worshiping you. She does neither. Perhaps that is why you find yourself drawn to her.”
“Do not make me kill you, bat. Because I will if you continue to spout such nonsense.”
Cherno drops from the chandelier and flies around the room in quick erratic movements, laughing with childlike glee. “We both know you would never harm me.”
I glare at them, but the effect is lost by the smile that forces its way across my mouth. “I wouldn’t, but do not push me or I might change my mind.”
Landing on the fireplace mantle, the envelope dangles from Cherno’s feet. I recognize the seal and suddenly I have no interest in the contents of the letter within.
“You should get to know her.”
“Clara? Why should I waste my time? She will be dead soon enough.” I pace the room feeling restless in this space but not trusting myself to leave my rooms just yet.
“Because you call her Clara and not Miss Valmont.”
I stop walking. “I brought her here to make her life hell for what she did, not to befriend her.”
Cherno takes to the air once more, this time hovering before me in only the way a bat can. “Do not be so arrogant as to think there is no other reason for your paths to have crossed.”
Demons free me from this cursed beast. I narrow my eyes. “Shouldn’t you be watching her? And take the letter to the study.”
“You don’t wish to read it?” they ask, flying near the fire. “Perhaps I shall burn it for you instead?”
“No, you mischievous demon. As much as I would love that, I will… read it later.”
With a grunt, Cherno flies off the way they came.
Chapter Thirteen
Clara
It’s late.It must be nearing midnight by now. I know because the demons of the forest beyond the property line sing their melancholy song. The moans are louder now than when night first falls and they wake, and even louder still than the hours before dawn.
I pace the room waiting for the vampire to return and kill me for what I attempted at dinner.
It was brash, unplanned, and sloppy. I should know better when dealing with a vampire such as him. I can’t allow my anger to control me if I want to have any hope of killing him. I am either lucky or he has something truly terrible in store for me.
In either case I should have a weapon ready. Though there is nothing in this room I can use.