“When do you have to be at the studio?”
“In an hour.”
Natalya pulled her close again, hugging her tighter than before. “Give me a few more minutes. Then you can go.”
Natalya didn’t quite keep her promise. When she finally let Evie get up, she had to rush through getting ready, and she’d nearly been late. Despite it, she paused at the door, then turned back and gave Natalya a light kiss goodbye.
It wasn’t a demanding kiss, not even a long one, and Evie was the one to break it. That she could was marvelous to behold. Even more so when Natalya had tried, and failed, to convince her to stay after that.
The smile she wore as she left surprised Natalya the most. She left with no fear of the repercussions that could come with denying Natalya. She just looked happy. Natalya wasn’t used to seeing genuine smiles.
Being denied in that way wasn’t common for her. In fact, it was unheard of, but she didn’t even feel upset about it. It just made her appreciate Evie even more. It meant she could say no. It meant all the other moments, all the small touches and signs of desire, were there because she wanted them to be. Not because they were forced out by Lust.
That didn’t mean Natalya was pleased about Evie leaving. Stefano’s attack had put her on edge. Even though he couldn’t move in the day hours, Evie leaving the high-rise made her anxious.
She had to tell herself that what Evie said was true. That shewouldbe fine. It was just for a few hours. She wouldn’t be without a guard, and going to The Five-Leaf was the safest place for her, not counting the high-rise.
Though not affiliated with the Court of Chains, The Five-Leaf had become an unofficial hang-out spot for patrons of the Court since Lily started working there. There were nearly always members of the Court present, and while Evie wore the Chain pendant, everyone knew she was a human they needed to protect.
Even with all that logic, it didn’t remove the unease coursing through Natalya. She experienced a strange ache when Evie wasn’t with her. Not the ache of desire, worry, or even frustration. Just… an ache. An ache she hadn’t felt before. An ache that persisted, even as she distracted herself with the responsibility of ruling.
The days she’d spent in the apartment were only partly her decision. Aleksander had insisted she rest until she was healed, and he’d been surprised when Natalya agreed. It wouldn’t dofor their Court to see her so injured. But a more significant reason she’d agreed was because she’d been too distracted with watching Evie to be of much use at all.
Now that Evie wasn’t there, she was still distracted, even as she did her best to tend to her Courtly duties. Eventually, that included deciding what to do about Varro.
“I assume there’s a plan beyond simply rushing the estate.” Aleksander was tense, his voice sharper than normal. It made him seem even more frightening than usual.
“There was.” Hasan leaned against the shuttered windows of his guest rooms. The sun was out, so they were still lighttight. The vampires looked haggard.
“Our initial plan hinged on Varro not knowing the East Coast has made an ally of the Chains,” Hasan continued. “I have a feeling we’ve lost the element of surprise.”
Hasan’s hand drifted to his stomach, where a silver bullet had struck him. It had taken days for him to heal completely. Natalya was even worse off.
Stefano had struck her deep, and the wound in her side had oozed for days after she woke. It still wasn’t closed. There was no way to speed up the healing process of an injury like that, but at least it didn’t hurt anymore.
“So what do you suggest?” Natalya asked. The two men turned to her, both looking ready for violence. “Vengeance is sweet, but it’s sweeter if we live to see it play out. Varro’s estate, and the area around it, is crawling with soldiers. Human and not. Even with a host of East Coast vampires, attacking him at night would be suicide.”
“Well…” Hasan glanced from Natalya to Drago standing in the corner. Drago had gone full mother-hen and accompanied Natalya everywhere. He’d been standing guard outside the apartment for days. “We do have a unique ace up our sleeve.”
The two fiends exchanged glances.
“We are powerful. But even combined, we can’t take Varro on his own turf,” Natalya said. “He’s a King. While within his own domain and with all his forces, he’s near invincible. Unless he acts stupid or overzealous. He’s not known to be either.”
“And he has weapons made for fiend slaying,” Aleksander said gravely. “Though I don’t know how he got ahold of them. There are complicated rites involved when making a blade like that.”
“I suspect that a certain Dominic Fane may have something to do with it.” Natalya looked at Aleksander. “I already told you he has a fiend with him. And he seemed particularly interested in me during the meeting with Varro.”
Aleksander let out a low growl. “I dislike that he’s so interested in fiend matters. Stefano was ready for you to be outside the territory, Natalya. He wanted you as much as he wanted Hasan. That I don’t know the reason is… concerning.”
Natalya tensed at the comment, relieved when Aleksander didn’t notice. She hadn’t told him, or anyone, about the camera flash. About Stefano wanting a picture of her back and the implications of it. She’d reasoned herself into believing it was unnecessary. After all, nothing would have come of it.
But he could have killed her, and he hadn’t. He had weapons ready that could hurt her. He wanted her marks, though for what reason she didn’t know. Probably for Dominic since only humans could use them.
“What does Zahra think of all this, Hasan?” Natalya said to distract herself. “When someone’s signature execution method is piercing a heart with a wooden stiletto heel, it’s generally wise to keep them happy.”
“There are many who want Varro dead. My Maker more than most.” There was a slight smile on Hasan’s face as he said it.
The relationship between a vampire and their progeny was similar to the one between a summoner and their fiend. Until released, they were bound by the whims of their Maker. ButHasan loved Zahra. She was a harsh woman of Night, but she was just. A respectable quality.
