He’s right. I can feel it. That’s why the crimson rose was left behind. So I would know. So I would come for him.

  I square my shoulders. “Then that’s what we’ll do.”

  Chapter 29

  Legion

  The dead male in Tori’s workshop is a message. It’s also exactly why I didn’t want to bring Tori along. But she’s the only one of us who knows where this club is. And even though I can see the need for vengeance in her green eyes, I have no intention of letting her get close enough to carry it out. Uziah and his gang of monsters will burn today.

  We take Tori’s car, which is uncomfortably small, forcing me to bend and bunch my knees toward my chest just to fit into the seat. It earns a snort from Tori, which I decide is worth it—right up until the moment she enters the flow of traffic on a busy road. The terror of allowing her full control behind the wheel of this contraption is unmatched in my long life.

  She glances over at me, but my eyes remain glued to the path before us as if my watching it unfold can somehow prevent certain death.

  “You good?” she asks, and I can hear the laughter in her voice.

  “That depends,” I say as she guns it and dodges past another vehicle that is apparently going too slow for her liking. I grip the armrest. “How many times have you crashed?”

  “None,” she says as if offended. “How many times have you?”

  I drag my gaze from the road and glare at her. “None.”

  She smirks despite the gravity of what we’re about to do. “Are you scared?”

  “No.” I look back at the road.

  She snorts. “Imagine how I felt when you carried me into the air that first time.”

  Finally, we leave the busy streets behind. Fewer cars and even less foot traffic line the roadway here. I tell myself that means we’re less likely to accordion this hunk of metal against another.

  Eventually, we pull into an empty gravel lot and park. I study the large building with blackened windows. The sign above the door says Bite Club.

  I climb out of the car, glad to be done with it, and survey the surroundings. It’s quiet but not peaceful. There’s a forgotten or sinister energy to the rows of houses that line the street across from us. Several windows are boarded over. All of the lights are out.

  A cloud-coated sky blots out the sun of this realm, casting a gloom over everything. Despite that, Bite Club looks to be in decent shape with newer repairs.

  There’s money here.

  And power.

  The unspoken kind.

  The kind that does what it wants, caring for no one outside its own walls.

  The kind that has betrayed and threatened my mate.

  I look over and find her staring up at the club, the mask dangling in her hand. Her shoulders are set, but her expression sends a dagger straight through my heart. She has had almost no one to turn to in this world for far too long. And the vampire she once considered an ally has made her circle one less.

  I will kill him for it.

  “Put your mask on,” I tell her as gently as I can, given the bloodlust pouring through me now.

  My dragon is a shadow beast out for vengeance. The lack of a mate bond or a blood oath only makes him more chaotic. But at least, my will is my own. I cannot be stopped and I cannot kill anyone or anything I don’t choose to.

  Today, I will destroy everything that has hurt her, and I’ll do it with zero regret. Still, it’s a strain to keep from giving into the bloodlust and completely losing myself to the fight. Doing so would mean risking Tori’s safety even further, so I leash the beast as best I can.

  Thankfully, she does as I ask. The armor is still in place, but I reach over and double-check the fastenings for good measure. Then I unsheathe her dagger and shove it into her gloved hands.

  “Promise me you won’t touch them,” I say, thinking of Broca’s warning about what will happen if she drains herself.

  “I’ll try, but if they⁠—”

  “Promise me.”

  She stares back at me. Even through the mask, I can feel her irritation. But she doesn’t argue. “I promise.”

  I exhale and then take the biggest risk of all. I lean over and kiss her through the fabric mask.

  She jerks back, gasping and wrenching herself several steps out of my reach.

  A moment passes, and I know we’re both waiting to see if I went too far.

  But I feel fine.

  A second later, I close the distance and kiss her again, this time grabbing her tightly enough that she can’t escape.

  She doesn’t try to.

  Instead, she leans in, pressing her covered body against mine. Her lips are yielding and demanding. The kiss is warm, stirring my blood and my cock, but it’s not the access I need. Not with the layer of fabric between us.

  I want more of her.

  I want all of her.

  Forever.

  I step back, holding her gaze. Up close, I can just barely make out her eyes on mine. There’s an emotion in them I can’t read. And we don’t have time. Not yet.

  After…

  “Come,” I say, turning for the club entrance. “When we get inside, stay behind me.”

  She lets me lead, and my dragon is all too pleased with himself at her display of trust.

  The front door is locked. I half-expect some kind of charm spell to strengthen against intruders, but a hard shove snaps the lock free, and the door swings open.

  I hesitate, unsure whether they’re the stupidest vamps ever or smarter than I’m giving credit with some kind of latent alarm system I’m not expecting.

  A slow, deliberate step inside proves it’s both.

  A screech splits the air, and a blur of something solid though small careens toward me. Stringy hair hangs in the face of alabaster skin.

  I draw my sword, slicing through flesh and bone as if it were paper. The banshee goes silent, dead and in pieces at my feet.

  “What the hell is that?” Tori takes a solid step away from the remains that are currently leaking viscous fluid onto the floor. The air fills with the scent of rot and brimstone.

  “It’s a nightmare,” I say quietly, my stomach swirling with sick recognition. Suddenly, the idea of simply burning this place to ash is not enough.

  I need answers before I can do that.

  “What’s a nightmare?”

  “It’s a kind of spell or charm made by a demon. This one was fashioned as a banshee, but they can come in any form, shape, or size, depending on the power the creator wields. They’re used as deterrents or alarm systems as they’re not very powerful, but they distract well enough.”

  I take another look around with fresh eyes.

  “I’ve never even heard of them.”

  “That’s because they aren’t from this realm.”

  “How the hell did it get here?”

  “That’s a great question,” I say. And not one I’m going to like the answer to. “Stay close.”

  I make my way slowly through the empty club, careful to stay ahead of Tori. The silence after the screaming is unsettling. Or maybe that’s my own trepidation at finding a demon-made creature here in this place.

  A creature I’ve seen a million times before.

  My heart hammers at the idea that, after all this time, all the searching⁠—

  In the darkness, a figure moves through a narrow opening at the back wall and steps into the room. Broad shoulders draped in a suit. A swath of dark hair combed into submission. Sharp, crimson eyes.

  He is middle-aged in appearance, but my senses tell me he’s much older than that. His pale skin is deceivingly fragile-looking. I know better.

  “Hello, Legion. We’ve been waiting for you, son.”

  Chapter 30

  Tori

  The sight of Uziah sends rage coursing through me. Juniper’s face flashes in my mind followed by Chase’s body lying dead on my workshop floor. The people Uziah hurt deserve justice. I grip my knife tighter, on the verge of shoving past Legion and burying the blade in his chest until his heart is free of his body. But his words to Legion stop me in my tracks.

  Son?

  “Who are you?” Legion asks in a low voice.

  He is absolutely still, a snake coiled and ready to strike.

  “I am Uziah Jafarov, your father.”

  My jaw drops, thankfully covered by the mask I’m wearing.

  Legion’s eyes narrow in disbelief. “My father was a god, and you are hardly that.”

  “There are many names for an ancient like me. God, Original, First One,” he says. “It is all the same.”

  Legion’s body trembles, and I realize he’s holding back rage, though barely. “You’re lying.”

  “I have lied to others in my life, but not to you.”

  “Bullshit,” I say, stepping forward so that I’m shoulder-to-shoulder with Legion. He doesn’t stop me; a sign of his shock. I glare at Uziah and tell him, “Legion doesn’t drink blood. He has no vampire qualities. He can’t possibly have come from you.”

  “The vampires you have come to know in your modern world are not like me,” Uziah says, though his attention remains on Legion. “I am much older than this realm. Created by the primordial magic of the first portal to connect the realms. I sustain myself on life force. In this world, in this age, I do that with blood. But I am not the same as these other creatures. I am Timeless. I am a First One. Raw power runs in my blood. And yours, boy.”

  Legion is silent beside me.

  I have no idea if he believes this nonsense, but I refuse to pretend he’s telling the truth. “This is crazy. You have zero proof to back up anything you’re saying. You’re the leader of a gang, for hell’s sake.”

  Rather than contradict my words, he looks me up and down, noting my covered skin. “Hiding your best gifts, I see. Nothing has changed then.”

  “Your men killed my friend,” I say, anger spearing through me. “And an innocent kid. Don’t deny it was you. I saw the rose.”

  “I’m not denying anything.”

  “After assuring me you had nothing to do with the Roses who put the bounty on me,” I say with disgust. “You pretended to help me, offered me that deal to hunt down the one who did this in exchange for my survival. The whole thing was a setup. You betrayed me. Betrayed my father’s trust in you.”

  His eyes flash with the first hint of anger. “Your father understood business comes first. Something you do not. Though, I must say I appreciate your willingness to mix business with pleasure.” He glances at Legion. “You’ve gone and brought my true quarry right to my doorstep.”

  Confusion clouds my anger. “How could you possibly know I’d meet Legion? Much less bring him to you?”

  “From the moment you came to me with poisoned skin, I recognized the signs,” Uziah says.

  “The signs?” I echo, still trying to understand how he made the connection.

  “Tell me how to break the curse,” Legion says.

  “You know I can’t do that.” Uziah looks at Legion with a hunger that lacks any trace of humanity. Like Legion is nothing more than an object to obtain.

  “I don’t understand,” I say, “How does Uziah know—” but Legion interrupts.

  “You wanted me; I’m here,” he snarls. “Now let her go and call off the bounty.” He turns to me and adds, “Drive to the portal. The guards will get Klyn and he’ll⁠—”

  “Legion, no,” I start, but Uziah interrupts.

  “One condition,” the vampire says.

  “Name it,” Legion snaps.

  “Give me your blood oath.”

  “What?” I say at the same time Legion snarls, “No.”

  Something passes between the two men that I don’t understand, but there’s no time to ask.

  “It’s time to leave.” Legion grabs me, yanking me toward the door at our backs.

  Confused, I let him pull me along, glancing back at Uziah. He stands alone in the dark club, watching us go, though I highly doubt there aren’t hordes of Crimson Roses waiting in the wings. Still, we can’t just leave without finishing this.

  At the door, I plant my feet and wrench my arm out of Legion’s grasp. “What are you doing? We can’t walk away,” I hiss. “He’ll just keep coming after us—and killing innocents.”

  “We’ll find another way,” Legion says, his voice strained.

  “Your mother sends her best, you know.”

  Uziah’s voice rings out, and I watch as Legion stiffens. He looks back at Uziah, a flicker of concern flashing in his blazing eyes. My shock leaves me speechless, but not Legion. In fact, he doesn’t look surprised at all.

  “Where is she?” Legion asks warily.

  “She ran an errand,” Uziah says, his smile smug. “She’ll be so pleased to see you. We’ve spent eons waiting for that portal to open.”

  “We?” Legion echoes dubiously.

  “Your mother contacted me after you were imprisoned. She asked for my help bringing you back to her side, and I agreed. It’s time for you to take your place in this family.”

  “I will never do her bidding again,” Legion snarls.

  He shoves me toward the door, but Uziah calls out again. “You can’t have her, you know. The curse forbids it.”

  This time, I’m the one stiffening and rounding on the vampire. “What do you know about my curse?”

  Uziah looks quickly between us, and the smugness that settles around him is impossible to miss. He looks at Legion like I’m not the one addressing him and says, “You haven’t told her?”

  “Told me what?” I demand.

  Legion doesn’t answer.

  I look back at Uziah, who appears all too eager to fill me in.

  “Legion’s mother laced his blood with a curse. If he should ever meet his fated mate, Maricha’s magic would leave them unable to touch. Unable to complete their bond.” Uziah’s gaze hardens as he says to Legion, “The only blood bond you will have is with me or your mother. The sooner you accept it, the safer she will be.”

  I look between them, horrified. “Your mother cast this curse on me?”

  Legion doesn’t answer, but the guilt that flashes in his depthless eyes is all the confirmation I need.

  “And you knew?” I accuse.

  “Yes.” His voice his hoarse, his eyes refusing to meet mine.

  “This is what you meant that night with Klyn. About your bloodline. You’ve known and kept it from me. Trying to make me doubt what I’ve suspected all along.” Rage, betrayal, fear—my stomach swirls with all of it. “I’m going to be sick,” I whisper.

  Legion watches me warily, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of my attention. I drag my gaze back to Uziah, and the triumphant look he wears reconfirms that his claims are true.

  “You asked me to deliver him,” I say flatly. “I have. Our dealings are done. If I see a single member of the Crimson Roses, I will kill them. We are done, do you understand me?”

  Uziah waves me off. “Whatever you say, little assassin.”

  “Don’t call me that,” I growl, and then I walk out.

  Legion follows me, but I refuse to look at him as I walk to my car. When I get there, I stop and turn to him, hating that he has the nerve to look sorry for his lies.

  “Tor—”

  “Don’t,” I snap. “You don’t get to say anything, and you definitely don’t get to apologize. You knew your mother did this to me, and you lied about it. We’re done.”

  “I didn’t know,” he says quickly. “When we met, I didn’t know about the curse.”

  “When?” I demand. “When did you know?”

  He hesitates. “The day the glaistig came to the Keep,” he says quietly. “She told me the curse came from my bloodline. I figured it had to be my mother. Her way of keeping me trapped and bonded to only her.”

  “And you didn’t think I needed to know? It made me a target.”

  “I wanted you to…”

  “What? To fall for you? To trust you?” I snort. “Look at how that turned out.”

  He starts to respond, but I block him out, wrenching open my car door and climbing inside. The moment I do, I hit the locks.

  He frowns in at me. “You can’t go out there alone. It’s not safe.”

  “Watch me,” I say through the window, hating that he’s probably right.

  I’m not naïve enough to take Uziah at his word in there. He’ll keep coming for me if only to get to Legion—whom he apparently wanted all along. This was never about me. I was a means to an end. A tool.

  I certainly feel like one now.

  Regardless of how safe I’ll be alone, I’m not about to be in an enclosed space with Legion. Not while I’m angry enough to strangle him—with my bare hands. The irony isn’t lost on me that I’ve come full circle, right back to entertaining the idea of actually killing my fated mate.

  Instead, I start the car and hit the gas, spinning gravel as I drive off, and leave Legion Razginath in the rearview—forever.

  Chapter 31

  Legion

  Ilet her go despite every cell in my body screaming at me to stop her. The way she looked at me—the devastation and accusation in her gaze burned a hole straight through a soul I didn’t know I possessed. The only thing I want to do is chase her down and make her forgive me, whatever it takes. Unfortunately, the scores of Crimson Roses soldiers closing in on my position make that a very bad idea. I refuse to let them hurt her, which means dealing with them first and earning forgiveness later. At least, this way, she’ll live long enough to eventually, hopefully, stop hating me.

  I watch the car drive off until it finally disappears, but all my focus is on the approaching gang at my back. They’ve been lurking in the woods since the moment we arrived. At first, I’d been confused over why they didn’t attack. But then Uziah made his offer. And his reveal.

  My father wants my blood oath.

  Now that I’ve refused to offer it voluntarily, he’ll try to take it by force.

  Footsteps behind me tell me the enemy is done hiding.

  I turn to meet them, sword drawn as I channel my guilt and loss into the rage my dragon is straining to unleash. Scales form along my arms and back, a half-shift that leaves me with a much stronger armor than the stuff I wore for Tori’s sake today.