I forced a smile. I’d gotten good at it since opening my clothing shop.

  Guy’s hand closed around mine, and his smile slipped a little.

  “You know you’re the first witch to actually shake my hand,” he said. “Most of ‘em just breeze right on past, on their way to kiss my wife’s very fine ass. They don’t seem to think much of men.”

  I shrugged and fought not to massage blood back into my fingertips when he released my hand. The magical mob boss had quite the grip. “Most witches are... something that rhymes with ‘witch’. I’m not saying I’m not, certainly,” I added with a quick smile, “but I think I’ve learned some manners in my exile. Climbing down from the ivory tower will do that to you.”

  Guy’s eyebrows climbed. “Exile, huh? Is that why Scarlett insists you have security for this little shindig?”

  “Security?” I repeated, frowning.

  Guy nodded. “William and Amos Dwimmer here are supposed to escort you to your rooms, and some of my boys will accompany you during the actual event.”

  It was my turn to look surprised. “Scarlett’s letter didn’t mention anything about security.”

  Guy’s eyes swept over my newly formed coven, and the look was less scornful than the one Amos had given us. His eyes lingered on Poppy with a frown.

  “Forgive me if I’m misremembering, but I don’t think there’s ever been a blonde witch.”

  “You’re right,” I answered. “Poppy isn’t a witch, she’s a gypsy traveler.”

  Guy’s eyes widened in obvious surprise. I then went down the line, listing names off as I introduced each person. “I’m a Blood Witch, as you already know. Betanya Tayir is an ex-Blood Witch. Darla was once a ghost and Libby is an animated zombie. Olga Fischer was exiled from Crescent Circle for two hundred years, Astrid was also kicked out of the coven, and that malcontent trying to hide her from your vampires is Maverick, her older brother. He’s a warlock.”

  William and Amos did a double-take, turning to face Maverick with identical looks of shock. I wasn’t sure why that bit of information was what they’d chosen to fixate on. Sure, warlocks were rare. Maverick was the only one to emerge from our line in seven centuries, but warlocks weren’t as strange or rare as Blood Witches. At least warlocks were a naturally occurring phenomenon.

  “Quite the motley crew,” Guy answered with a clipped nod. “No wonder Scarlett ordered protection for you.”

  “Yes, I imagine people are going to hate us,” I said.

  Guy nodded. “By the by, Scarlett wanted me to apologize for the fact that she wasn’t able to greet you herself. With this event, she’s so busy, I haven’t even seen her for the last day or so.”

  “No worries,” I answered on a smile. “I just appreciate the invitation.”

  “I’d take a step back if I were you,” Maverick said in a low, dangerous tone, while glaring at Amos and William, who were still staring at him with narrowed eyes as if he were an amoeba that had just crawled out of the sea. “And if you try to sneak up on my sister again, I will hex you through the nearest wall.”

  Which would be quite the feat, given that the walls also appeared to be made of marble. But if anyone could do it, it was Maverick. He seemed to be following the ‘no one picks on you but me’ policy, where Astrid was concerned. Amos took a step back, but appeared puzzled, more than frightened.

  “And who is he?” Guy asked, nodding toward Lorcan.

  Lorcan grinned, flashing his fangs just a little. “A grateful tagalong. They found me on the side of the road and told me I was too pretty to hitchhike.”

  If I’d been drinking something, I’d have snorted it up my nose. As it was, Lorcan’s comment drew a half-strangled laugh from me. In response, Lorcan’s grin grew a little smug, pleased he’d made me laugh. William and Amos were staring at both of us now, as if we’d begun speaking in tongues. Vampires and witches weren’t friendly, as a general rule. We certainly didn’t stop to trade witty banter with each other.

  “This is Lorcan Rowe,” I said and then hesitated, before deciding I might as well go all in. If the plan was to scandalize Mother, this would certainly do the trick. “He’s my date.”

  I couldn’t have shocked the vampire twins more if I’d sprayed them in the face with garlic extract.

  “Your what?” William asked. He sounded a little faint.

  “My date,” I repeated, enunciating the words.

  He was silent for a beat and then said, “You’re not like other witches.”

  I smiled, though there was an edge of bitterness to it. “I’m nothing like any witch you’ve ever met, William. Now, could you please take us to our rooms? I’m going to need sleep before I kick Mother’s well-tailored ass.”

  William smiled then, wider than before. There was something almost... familiar about the expression, though I couldn’t place why. Maybe it was a vampire thing. Lorcan was prone to wicked grins, too.

  It was then that I realized Hellcat had been perched in front of William this entire time—just simply sitting there and staring up at him as if he were watching a movie. It was certainly odd because, in general, Hellcat detested vampires.

  Hmm, my familiar was definitely an oddball.

  “Of course, Ms. Depraysie,” William continued. “And save me a seat when you do. That’s a show I’ll definitely want to watch.”

  Chapter Nine

  William stayed close to me.

  Unnervingly close.

  ‘One wrong step and I’ll trip into your arms’ close.

  Three more vampires melted out of the shadowy halls that branched off the lobby, falling into step around us as we made our way toward the escalator. Despite my newfound tolerance for vampires, I found it unsettling to have so many of them flanking us. I’d been at the center of a vampire ambush before, but there’d only been two of them after me at the time. I didn’t relish the thought of going toe-to-toe with five of them now, even if we did have the advantage of numbers. There was no telling who might throw in on their side, and I didn’t want to begin our stay with a brawl.

  Maybe five minutes earlier, Guy Velardi had excused himself, owing to the fact that Scarlett had texted him about needing help with something else. Guy had promised we’d be in good hands with William and Amos and left it at that.

  A cool hand traced the column of my throat, and I stuttered to a stop, staring at William. He was frowning at the crook of my neck.

  “What the spell are you doing?” I spluttered. No one but Lorcan had dared touch me that intimately upon first meeting me. And Lorcan at least had an excuse. The ties that bound us together were designed to finish the bond—that meant we were drawn to each other, whether we liked it or not.

  William had no such excuse.

  “This scar,” he said, unperturbed by my anger. “It never healed properly, which means whoever bit you did a sloppy job.” He further studied me with an amused smile. “And… it can’t be your lover’s,” he continued as he shot a glance at Lorcan, “or you’d be one of us now. I’m curious who attacked you?”

  “How is that any of your business—” I started, but Lorcan stepped forward, placing his hand on William’s chest and pushing him back a beat. William nearly tripped over Hellcat, who was still following him in the strangest manner.

  “My adoptive sire is a bastard,” Lorcan said, lips pulling away from his teeth. His fangs were a little longer than they’d been before. He stared at William’s hand like he was tempted to bite it off.

  “What does that have to do with,” William started, but Lorcan shook his head, interrupting.

  “Perhaps if you’d allow me to explain, you’d get an answer to your question.”

  William frowned. “Go on.”

  “My sire is intent on me finishing what I started where Wanda is concerned. Though he says Genevieve, the vampire responsible for that particular scar,” he continued and motioned to my neck, “wasn’t sent on his orders. I believe that’s a crock of shite.”

  “And why do you believe that?” William asked.

  “Because Rupert doesn’t have many scruples when it comes to getting what he wants.”

  “And he wants Wanda turned?” William asked.

  Lorcan nodded.

  “Or dead,” I answered.

  “Genevieve damn near tore Wanda’s throat out,” Lorcan continued. “If I’d been even thirty seconds slower...” Lorcan’s voice failed him, and he somehow managed to grow paler. His throat worked convulsively, as if the words had a repugnant taste.

  William tilted his head to the side like a curious bird. “You’re not going to finish it, then?”

  “No,” Lorcan snapped. “Completing the transition is Wanda’s choice, and she doesn’t want it, so no. Now keep your hands to yourself if you want to keep them at all, you smarmy bastard.”

  To my surprise, William laughed.

  There was strangely what appeared to be secret joy glinting in those gray eyes. Again, the expression looked somehow familiar. Try as I might, though, I couldn’t figure out why. The more I thought about it, the less I believed it was a vampire trait.

  “Testy, testy,” William tutted, his smile never leaving Lorcan’s face. “Better get that temper under control, Rowe. Those witches won’t hesitate to turn you into undead paste. Celestine especially. She’s a right bitch.”

  “You shall not speak of that most exemplary of ladies in such a manner!” Hellcat raised his head at that and hissed at William, for the first time showing indignation whereas before he’d seemed strangely friendly towards the vampire.

  Now Hellcat’s fur crackled with little shocks of magic, picking up on the ambient magic in the air. In a Hollow like this, magic was an abundant resource. Familiars were specifically bred to channel magic, and after a bond was formed, they could only do so with their mistress’ or, in Maverick’s case, master’s magic. Hellcat couldn’t unleash the fury raising the fur on his ruff if he wanted to.

  Or at least, he hadn’t been able to until now.

  A lurid red spark leaped from the tips of Hellcat’s whiskers onto William’s pant leg, setting it ablaze. William’s eyes widened, and he swatted at the leg, smothering the fire with ease. It left a tiny hole in his slacks and a blister on his thumb. I just stared at my ill-tempered familiar. Where had that come from? There was no way Hellcat should have been able to do that. Unless this was a byproduct of my Blood Witch status? Had the unusual abilities spread to Hellcat? I shuddered at the thought.

  “You do not speak of Celestine that way! She is—” Hellcat stuttered over what he was about to say and then finished with, “She is your better and deserves respect.” Then he paused for a heartbeat. “And I am sorry for soiling your trousers, but in this case, it was called for.”

  The fact that Hellcat was apologizing for anything was beyond bizarre. Maybe this was a sign of his advancing years and he was suffering some form of cat Alzheimer’s which was making him forget what a contrary asshole he was?

  Whatever the reason, there was also an odd expression on William’s face when he stared down at Hellcat. A mixture of annoyance and... something else—something I couldn’t place. He eventually smiled at the cat, though the expression was far from pleasant.

  “I remember you,” he said quietly as I felt my eyes narrow with suspicion. “I’m surprised you left Celestine’s side... The last time I saw you, you had your whiskers so far up her backside, you could tickle her intestines.”

  “You know… Mother?” I asked, ignoring the indignant sounds Hellcat made at the graphic image. Granted, William had mentioned Celestine was a bitch earlier, but I just figured he knew it because everyone knew it.

  “We all know Celestine,” William answered. “Every person in my clan has had an unpleasant encounter with the Crescent Circle Coven. I assure you, we’ll do everything we can to aid you in knocking her off her pedestal. It’s why we volunteered to serve Mrs. Velardi. She also has an ax to grind with your mother. Don’t let Guy in on the secret, though. He’s something of a blunt instrument and we want this plan to go smoothly.”

  Vampire covens volunteering to serve a High Witch? Scarlett Velardi sporting a secret grudge against Mother and wanting payback? This trip was shaping up to be stranger (and better) than I could have imagined, and the Assembly hadn’t even begun.

  “You won’t stop her,” Hellcat muttered, all the while shaking his head. “Celestine is too powerful for any of you to threaten.”

  “We shall see about that,” William and I said in unison.

  The two of us exchanged a glance and then smiled. Lorcan’s hand slid into mine, squeezing hard enough that I winced. We stepped up the escalators and turned a corner, striding down a lavishly decorated hall, eventually stopping before a series of suites.

  “Scarlett reserved the second floor for your lodging,” Amos said, speaking for the first time in the last ten minutes. I had a feeling he was the more taciturn of the two. “It’s the closest bank of suites to the ground floor—just in case you need to make a quick escape.”

  “I had no idea that would be a consideration on our trip,” Maverick said dryly. “It’s nice to know we’re so well-liked.”

  William turned to face him, regarding him with a look that was almost... envious. Strange, but true.

  “You’re in the most danger,” he said. “You might want to rethink your presence here, warlock.”

  Maverick raised an eyebrow, gray eyes flat and unimpressed. “Oh? And why’s that?”

  William’s teeth showed, and Maverick poorly concealed a shudder.

  “Because someone, somewhere, will try to kill you if you stay.”

  Chapter Ten

  “What do you think he meant by that?” I wondered aloud, slipping my shirt over my head.

  I should have been more careful with the fabric. High cotton blends were prone to wrinkle, and I liked this design. It was a deep, jewel-toned red that ended just beneath my ribs. I was probably a little too old to wear tops that bared my midriff, but after what we’d done during the ritual, I couldn’t stop thinking about Lorcan’s hand resting on my stomach. Though I’d never admit it aloud, I was hoping the sight of bare skin might tempt him to touch me again. It was a little pathetic, and I had to roll my eyes at the transparent ploy.

  As if he needs encouragement. If you want him to touch you, all you have to do is ask.

  But I couldn’t.

  Every time I tried, the words caught in my throat. I couldn’t even force myself to turn and face him. His stare was like a physical weight on my bare back, sending hot prickles along my skin. I knew if I looked, I’d find him lounging on one of the queen sized beds, giving me a hungry look that had nothing at all to do with blood.

  “I’m sure I don’t know, sweetling,” Lorcan answered, voice rougher with need as he watched me change. “Now, do you mind telling me why we’re rooming together? Not that I mind, but aren’t we tempting fate in doing so? Or is this just a contrived way of saying you’d finally like to consummate our relationship?”

  Butterflies erupted in my stomach at the thought, and I cursed myself for my reaction. This was getting pathetic. I’d had scores of lovers over the years, both human and not, and not a single one had made me feel like a teenage girl with her first crush. What was it about this man that made me feel so off-footed? Was it the bond playing tricks with my mind? Or was it the danger, the fact that sleeping with him came with a risk?

  “We’re rooming together because I don’t trust you and Maverick to behave yourselves. Betanya, Olga, and Libby will get along fine, and while Darla will get on Poppy’s nerves, I don’t think she’ll strangle Darla in her sleep. The same goes for Maverick and Astrid. If you and Maverick are in the same room, though, I think William’s prophecy will come true. You’ll annoy the piss out of each other, and only one of you will walk out of this room tomorrow.”

  “I don’t understand why we weren’t granted our own, individual rooms.”

  “Because, in case you haven’t noticed, this place is slammed full. We should feel grateful we were even included at all.”

  “Going back to that… twit William,” Lorcan said, spitting the name like it was a curse. “What an arse. I don’t like him. Did you see the way he looked at you? It’s as though he’s half-in love already.”

  I finally turned toward him, reaching inside my suitcase for my nightgown so I wouldn’t have to meet his eyes.

  “I didn’t get that vibe from him.”

  Lorcan scoffed. “I did.”

  “Just because you’re in love with me doesn’t mean every man I meet will be. In fact, I know they won’t. Exhibit A, Rupert and his entire clan.”

  “Dear, William is interested in you, trust me on that. I know men, and he wants to get to know you better, at the very least.”

  “Then he’ll be sorely disappointed, won’t he?”

  “And why is that?”

  “Because.”

  He grinned cheekily. “Because why?”

  “Because he’s much too young for me.”

  “He’s not that young.”

  “Because I have no interest in vampires.”

  “You mean… other vampires.”

  “Right.”

  “Is that all?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you certain?”

  I glared at him and sighed out my frustration. “What are you fishing for me to say, Lorcan?”

  “Oh, just the truth.”

  “Which is?”

  “You tell me.”

  “Uh,” I threw my hands up in the air. “Fine, I’m not interested because I’m… taken.”

  “Ah, are you?”

  That smile made me want to throw a pillow at him, so that’s exactly what I did. He easily grabbed it before it hit his face and laughed at me.

  “My dear,” he started, the chuckle receding. “No need for violence.”

  “The only reason I’m violent is because you’re so… impossible!”