Page 109 of Vengeance and Vipers

‘She’ll have his mark on her. A brand on her body.’

‘I’ve seen her body,’ I half lie. ‘There’s no brand.’

Pierre chuckles low. ‘She’s got a conjure on her. Remove it and see for yourself if I’m telling the truth.’

I stand. ‘I’ll be in touch.’

‘Make it soon, Daemon,’ he warns.

I nod and leave immediately, a plan forming. If Pierre is right about Jules, then I won’t be selling her to McCathrie; I’ll be going straight to the source for top dollar. I look at my messages and copy the number Paris got for me through the Iron’ I’s private detective. Their guy’s good if he’s found Tamadrielle’s number already when no one’s even allowed to say the High Fae fucker’s name. I save it to my phone.

First, I need to find out if Pierre is right about Jules.

* * *

JULES

The wind in my face takes my cares away, and I urge my giant horse faster, laughing when he leaps over a fallen log, and I feel the pitch and roll in my stomach that makes me giddy.

I hold him tightly between my knees and let go of the reins, closing my eyes and spreading my arms wide. I feel like I’m flying.

I hear Iron’s shout from behind me and open my eyes, taking up the reins again and casting a look behind as I ease Pitch to a canter, and Iron comes up next to me.

‘Are you trying to kill yourself?’ he demands.

‘Sorry,’ I say guiltily.

I hear him swear under his breath, and I hide a grin.

‘I thought you were too far back in my dust to see that,’ I tease, laughing at his answering growl.

A speck of cold rain lands on my cheek. ‘Want to race back?’

He shakes his head. ‘You’re in too reckless a mood,’ he mutters. ‘You’re going to break your fool neck.’

He’s very angry, I realize. He’s furious.

With me.

‘I’m sorry,’ I say, turning to face him properly, not even having to pretend I’m contrite. ‘Really, Iron. I promise I won’t do that again.’

‘Fine,’ he says, pulling out his phone. ‘I need to speak to Maddox, so I’m going back to the house directly. You take Pitch to the stable, and I’ll take care of him later.’

‘Okay,’ I say, but he’s already galloping away.

Suddenly feeling morose, I head back to the stable and put Pitch inside. I give him some hay to munch on until Iron comes, and then I go to the last stall to take off my riding clothes.

I’m in the middle of changing when a hand closes on my forearm. I’m whirled around and slammed into the wall before I can even see my assailant.

I scream as my head hits the wooden slats, and when I look to see who has me, my eyes find Daemon. The smirk on his face makes me quake.

‘You can’t hurt me,’ I cry, ‘Maddox promised—’

‘You were the one who didn’t keep to the deal,’ he snarls. ‘Fucking supe slut!’

I’m sick of him calling me that!

Angrily, I push him hard in the chest, succeeding in making him take a couple of steps back, and I know my strength surprises him because he swears and doubles down in his effort to grab me.