Page 108 of Vengeance and Vipers

I answer in a clipped tone with just my last name. ‘Mackenzie.’

‘Daemon,’ comes the soft, vampiric drawl that makes me grit my teeth. ‘Meet me at the club.’

‘Now?’

‘Now, my dear friend.’

The line goes dead.Fuck.I’ve been summoned. I thought I’d have more time.

Abandoning my gym plans, I go back through the house, grabbing a link key from the top of the grandfather clock, where we always keep a spare, and skirting around the cameras.

I use it on the nearest closet, and it deposits me in the club we were in last night. It’s early and quiet, so I find Pierre quickly. He’s sitting in the middle of the venue, not even bothering to hide our meeting.

‘I wondered if I’d have to send someone to get you,’ he says, taking a sip of his very red drink.

‘Not at all,’ I murmur smoothly, sitting down at the table across from him.

‘Let’s get to the point, Daemon. You owe us a lot of money, and time is running out for you. When will you be settling your debt to McCathrie?’

‘I just got out of the Mountain,’ I say apologetically.

‘Yes, I gathered, and I’m wondering how you escaped. I’ll bet it’s a good story. I’d very much like to hear it one of these days.’

‘Perhaps. Anyway, I was in jail. I’ll get the money to McCathrie as soon as I have it, but …’

‘This isn’t a charity, Daemon. You have until the end of the month. Payment in full.’

I sit back in my chair and hear it creak. ‘That isn’t going to be possible. Kill me if you must, but you definitely won’t get your money then.’

Pierre takes another sip of his drink. ‘I did enjoy speaking to your human, Victoria, last night.’

I shift in my seat again, not liking even her fake name on the vampire’s lips. I don’t say anything.

‘What if I told you that giving her to us would solve all your problems?’

I stand up abruptly. ‘I’m not a skin trader!’ I hiss, wanting nothing more than to beat the shit out of this asshole and tear out his heart for even suggesting I sell Jules to the vamps.

‘Not forthat,’ Pierre mutters. ‘Though I’m sure I’d enjoy a taste.’

‘For what then?’ I growl, taking my seat once more. ‘What possible use would a human have to you if not for feeding from?’

Pierre smiles darkly. ‘You really don’t know who you’ve got there, do you?’

He laughs, and my eyes narrow. ‘Does this have anything to do with … Tamadrielle?’

The vampire sputters at the name and hushes me at once, looking all around us as if someone could be lurking. ‘Quiet, you fool! The walls have ears! Never utter that name. Never let anyone hear it from your lips.’

He heaves a melodramatic, unneeded breath.

‘But, yes,’ he says low and eyeing me meaningfully, ‘the human is worth a lot to some.’

I regard the vampire coldly, not giving anything away. The deal is as clear as he’s going to make it. I give Jules to them, and they absolve me of the debt I owe them.

‘Who is ….’

‘Ask your human.’ He laughs. ‘She knows that name.’

‘I don’t believe you,’ I sneer.