Page 205 of Vampire so Virtuous

“Noah?”

“Antoine?”

“Cally’s asleep in my room. Pull up a chair out here, and make sure nothing gets past you.”

“Be my pleasure. What about her friend?”

“Not even her. Cally can find her when she’s ready.”

He marched down the stairs to the living room, where two vampires waited, as Marcel had said. One was Nico, dressed in a formal suit. Antoine clenched his jaw. Not only was Nico an ally of Minh’s, but his territory was Milton. He was looking at the vampire who had killed Cally’s mother.

The other was Valeria, clad in an elegant, backless evening dress. One of the vampires from north of the river. A stranger, for all intents and purposes.

They turned as he entered, sniffing the air in unison—Nico blatantly, Valeria more subtle, almost playful.

“Welcome to my home,” Antoine said. With war already upon them under the Curia’s decree, he wondered if there was any point to these rituals now, but… “Uphold our traditions, and keep my domain tranquil.”

“Your trust is met with solemn commitment,” Valeria replied.

Nico sneered. “You smell of chattel. Quite disgusting.”

Rage hit Antoine so suddenly and so hard that it took every ounce of control to keep his expression impassive. Not to clench his fists. Not to grit his teeth. Not to rock forward onto his toes—or simply rip the bastard’s head off.

He looked away, just in case his eyes had changed, letting his glamour fade before it became a problem again.

But Nico had done him a favor. Now he knew how much of a liability his feelings for Cally could be. Next time, he’d be prepared.

No. Not a liability. Never that. Not her.

He met Nico’s contemptuous gaze, his voice cold with restrained fury. “You’ve given me no solemn commitment. Next time I find you in my territory, I’ll kill you.” Nico stiffened, but Antoine had already turned to Valeria. “I believe the Curia wishes to see us?”

There was interest in her eyes as she nodded. “We have a car waiting.”

He almost said he’d drive himself, but both of his cars were out of commission. So was Marcel’s. Something to remedy when he got back.

Antoine inclined his head toward her, then turned a glacial stare on Nico. “Get out.”

The other vampire curled his lip, flashing fangs, before spinning on his heel and striding toward the door.

Antoine turned back to Valeria and gestured with much more grace. “After you.”

“So kind,” she laughed lightly, her hips swaying as she followed Nico outside.

Nico climbed into the front of the SUV that waited, leaving Valeria and Antoine to take seats in the back. That suited Antoine fine. He stared out of the window, deliberately ignoring the others. His mind was on the encounter ahead.

Was this more than a gathering? Was it something… personal? Yes, he’d killed Minh, but he’d done so within the new rules of the Curia—and in defense of his territory and marked chattel. He could hardly be blamed for that.

Yet they hadn’t sent an escort for the last summons, and Nico’s presence, in particular, did not bode well. Then again, Nico had been at the house last time, and perhaps he’d only been sent because it was convenient.

Antoine took a subtle breath, letting it out steadily. There was no point speculating when they’d be arriving soon enough.

When they pulled up outside of Roberto’s house, Antoine let himself out before a thrall could come to open his door. He didn’t wait for Nico or Valeria, striding into the house, the thralls opening the doors for him.

The living area was quiet, only Lena and Anastasia sitting in one corner. They both looked up as he entered, and Valeria walked past him to join them.

Nico stopped at his side. “They want you in the basement. This way.”

Antoine kept his expression impassive at the news, but it confirmed that this wasn’t a general gathering, but one reserved for his august presence. He wondered who else might be there, and hoped it wasn’t just Roberto and Nico. That could be… awkward.