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My gaze falls on the king. “Away?”I teeter a bit.

Tessa raises her eyebrows and holds up her hands. All signs point to her assuming a calming stance. She’s trying her best before I hit panic mode. “Since I broke the contract…” She drops her hands. “Well, we need to take care of Marr.”

“I see.”

“Do you?” Quinn asks.

I shrug. “I’ve been a bloodbag all my life,” I explain to Quinn. “Jasper Wolfram taught me the ways. I know what to do.”

Darius coughs twice. Strange considering vampires never get sick. Or need to breathe. Or need to appear human at all.

Yet the pink tint to his cheeks blooms to a dashing scarlet. His eyes look like lava. “Jasper Wolfram?”

Sounds like he has nails in his teeth now.

I focus on his broad chest, trying to ignore the swell in my core at the sight of his pecs drawing his striped shirt tight. Navy blue and gray, smooth charcoal blazer, matching slacks, shiny black dress shoes—he’s stylish as hell. Huge but stylish.

Gods, why the hell does he have to lookthatgood when all I want to do is shove my fingernails into his eyes?

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he seems jealous.

“Yes, my vampi—” I nip the inside of my cheek and hang my head. “I mean, mypreviousvampire. I used to feed him four times a day.”My words are like lasers aimed at Darius. “And he would never forget to feed me.”

“Interesting.” Darius runs his fingers over the pocket of his blazer. Something in there? Or something to do while he stares at me? His gaze practically burns. “Allow me to walk you to your quarters, Miss Alard.”

Formalities? At this stage?

It’s got to be a performance for his brother.

What a fucking tool.

I bristle. “Just Amber, please.”

Tessa catches my shoulder. She kisses my cheek, my forehead, and then my temple. Just like Mother. “It’s good to have you home, Amber.”

I try to smile. I try with all my might. I’m in the midst of trying when Darius touches my upper back. I stiffen under his touch. He guides me gently to the end of the hallway, the very end, where a set of French doors lead to a stone veranda. It’s only then I swat his hand away. To the left is a door painted coral. Vines crowd around the frame.

He gestures to it. That’s my stop.

When I turn back to say goodbye to my sister, I find the hallway empty. Of course, she dashed away. She would do that before I can even ask about what her plan entails. Or where she buried Seline. Or how she would be buried if she fails.

No, don’t think about that.

My fists clench at my sides. “Thanks. I can find the rest of the way myself.”

I grab the knob and turn it, my shoulder slamming into the immobile wood.

It’s locked.

Darius coughs once. Ah, so twice is irritation and once is amusement. Have I got him figured out like that already?

I don’t look at him. I don’t want to look at him.But I do.

Keys jingle. The lock clicks. He pushes on the door. It quietly swings open.

“I told you I would be keeping a close eye on you,” he explains sternly as I walk through the doorway. “I’ll bring your meal at once. After you eat, I suggest you get to bed. You need rest.” The way he says it all is mechanical, like he’s rehearsed it for every bloodbag he’s ever had.

I’m no different. He’s just honoring the Murillo Family guidelines.


Tags: Kay Widow Paranormal