bChapter /bb150 /b

ra

The trembling in my hands has disappeared; however, the taste of Cassian still lingers on my tongue. His blood is as seductive bas /bbhis /bappearance. If darkness had a vor, it would undoubtedly be this one.

I step down from the carriage with the help of my newly appointed bodyguard, whose eyes I can’t see due to the shadows cast bby /bthe hood of

his cloak, though I can see the tension in his jaw. Despite his clear anger, he doesn’t say a word. With a gesture of his hand, he invites me to move forward, where I see Ciro leaning against one of the wings of the main door. His smile and yful gaze wee me.

“How was your visit, ra?”

“It was pleasant,” I reply halfheartedly.

I can feel Abraxas’s eyes on the back of my neck. He clears his throatb, /bcalling Ciro’s attention, whose gaze shifts from me to him.

“Yes, Abraxas?”

“I think we should speak privately for a moment.”

I hold back the urge to roll my eyes. He says it as if he doesn’t know exactly what he’s going to talk about. The vampire’s lips press into a thin line, and he nods. He focuses on me again and runs his eyes quickly over my body. Maybe he already knows what Abraxas is going to tell bhim /band is looking for some kind of sign on my body to confirm it?

“Dinner is about to be served. If you like, go ahead–I’ll join you shortly.”

give a small nod, knowing that refusing dinner might raise suspicions about what happened between his rival and me. If I want to get out of here, I must pretend I’m genuinely trying to open my heart and hate Cassian.

I head to the dining room, where, just as he said, dinner is being served. I take a seat to the right of the head of the table and wait patiently, passing the time by adjusting the silverware again and again at the same distance from each other. When he walks into the room, nothing in his expression shows he’s upset. He wears the same cheerful look as always. He sits next to me and briefly examines his goblet. Maybe because I drank blood earlier, the smell doesn’t seem exquisite to me or make me salivate.

“How did Abraxas behave with you? I must admit he doesn’t have the best manners; however, he is the person I trust the most.”

I blink, looking at his face, surprised by the direction of the conversation. I wet my lips and grab the fork between my fingers.

“Are we going to ignore the obvious?”

“We can, if you wish.”

“You’re not angry with me?”

He finishes a sip from his cup, wipes his mouth with the cloth napkin, and raises his eyebrows iin /isurprise.

“Should I be?” He continues when I remain silent: “It’s not like I didn’t expect these things from someone like him. He’s incapable bof /bobeyingws, no matter how much they’re on my side. Still, I’m surprised he insists so much on you. After all, he’s never stopped saying you’re just a simple human–weak and disposable.”

He’s right. Cassian has boasted about his disdain for me many times, though that didn’t make him any less territorial. One of his rules bwas /bthat no one else but him was allowed to drink from me, iif /imemory serves. I don’t know when things changed so much. What I do bknow /bbis /bbthat /bhis feelings for me aren’t the same as before. Neither are mine, no matter how much I try to fool myself,

i412 /i

11:38 Fri, b8 /bbAug /bJ O

b“/bSo nob, /bI’m not angry. In fact, if you tell me that being with Cassiah is what you want, I’ll take you to him myself bwhen /bthe month end-

“Really?” bI /bask, narrowing my eyes.

b“/bbYes/b. I only ask for one sincere chance.”

I watch him for what feels like minutes until I finally answer.

“I suppose I can do that.”

I take a bite while chewing on my own thoughts. Something tells me giving him a real chance is impossible. Cassian stormed into my life, nted a g in my heart, and even if my blood pools beneath his boots, my foolish heart does strange things when he’s near–unaware that he’s a ruthless conqueror who imed us without asking.

“So, has Abraxas been kind to you?”

“He’s a man of few words,” I say.

Laughter shakes his chest.

“Oh yes, very different from me.” I frown, still looking at him. “Abraxas is my brother.”

Now I understand why he says he’s the one he trusts most, though blood sometimes means nothing.

“He’s certainly not as vain as I am.”

“Why does he hide under a cloak?”

He raises his cup to his lips again, staining them crimson.

“Perhaps it’s under my orders, so his beauty doesn’t trap you.”

“Is that so?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

Heughs again, as if everything I say is the funniest thing he’s heard in years. Which, considering how many years he likely has behind him, is no small thing.

“No, I haven’t told him to hide his face.” He smiles, showing me his sharp fangs. “It’s just a personal preference.”

bI /bcross my arms, knowing my tongue is about to form a bold and impertinent question.

“Does he have a grotesque scar? Is he missing an eye? A wart on the tip of his nose?”

“I understand his lovers quite appreciate the appeal of his face.”

“Does he also have the gift of beauty?”

“He’s lucky to be attractive to the eye, but no, he doesn’t have the gift that I possess.b” /b

I don’t miss the slight tinge of sadness in his voice when he talks about his gift; more than a blessing, it seems like a curse he’ll never shake

boff/bb. /b

“Why haven’t I seen him before?” I continue asking to quench my curiosity.

“He doesn’t like parties or events that involve being around people. In fact, the fact that he agreed bto /bbe byour /bbbodyguard /bbwhenever /bbyou /bbstep /boutside the vi already feels like an achievement.”

11:38 Frib, /bb8 /bAug

“I haven’t seen him around here either.”

“That’s because maybe he doesn’t want you to see him.” He sps his fingers beneath his chin. “I apologize in advance for his rough demeanor–he’s not one for softness.”

A