“I want her back,” Varro said.
“Is she really that tasty?” Dominic mused, flashing a grin. The glare Varro sent him made it clear the comment was taken as an insult and to tread lightly. It didn’t scare Dominic. “Her skillset includesdancing. Not really that valuable in this little plot of yours. How dangerous can a New Orleans stripper possibly be?”
“She was with me for a year. She heard things.”
“And she might remember nothing.”
“Or she might remembereverything. If the Chains learn what we’re doing, neither of us get what we want.”
That comment made Dominic sneer. Varro was unfortunately correct. Evelyn was a popular slave, and like all popular slaves,their presence was often forgotten until they were needed. There was no limit to the things Evelyn could have heard.
Dominic glanced at his own slaves. His pretty prizes. If their bonds were broken, they’d rip him apart without hesitating. Evelyn might be using those pillowy lips of hers to betray Varro at that very moment.
“The Chains aren’t that dangerous.”
“It’s a Court filled with demons,” Varro snapped. “Of course they’re dangerous.”
Dominic looked at the greater fiend sitting in her circle nearby. Her slitted eyes were green now, though they changed to scarlet as soon as Dominic paid her attention.
“Fiends are easily controlled if you take the right precautions. That’s why you brought me here, after all. Information about the infernal is my specialty.”
At the words, he picked up a steel dagger and slammed it into the surface of his desk, piercing the wood. The ornate piece of furniture was a gift from Varro. But Dominic liked breaking gifts.
“Your spawn was overwhelmed by a greater fiend,” Dominic said. “As annoyed as you should be with dear Stefano for dawdling, his defeat was inevitable. A satiated Lust fiend with a domain of her own is powerful. Neither Stefano nor Austin was fit to face her. Only a Regent can stand against a fiend like that.”
Dominic ran a finger along the edge of the dagger. “Luckily, arcane tools can help even the odds.”
Varro’s glare turned less hateful. Now it just looked suspicious. “Your proclivity is one of bindings and lore. Not crafting. I thought you couldn’t make anything more complex than fiend-repellent smelling salts.”
Now Dominic was the one to scowl. He’d never been one for trinkets, and the few he did have, he’d stolen rather than created. It would leave him vulnerable if he didn’t have a greaterfiend in his service. She protected him as efficiently as any charm would.
“My salts are potent enough,” he said, ignoring the falsehood of the statement. A skilled witch or warlock could make sanctified salts that kept their potency for days or even weeks. Dominic’s only lasted a few hours. “And with practice comes perfection, isn’t that the saying? Give me time, and I can make weapons fit for fiend slaying. With long enough effects that they don’t wane immediately too.”
“What would be the point of an arsenal if we’re blind on how to use it?” Varro said. “We know nothing of how the Chains currently operate. All our information is over a year old and therefore useless. After what happened with Rollo, they have gotten more careful about allowing defecting Night vampires into their ranks.”
The mention of Rollo summoned pain on Varro’s face. It was clear that of his three progenies, his oldest had been his favorite.
Dominic considered a moment. The Court of Chains high-rise contained untold potential for knowledge. It contained beautiful treasures, though attempting to steal them would carry risk. The idea he had was foolish, really, but he couldn’t help but indulge it. The potential in it was too great to ignore.
“I can get you information about the Chains,” he said. “I have a living shadow. Why not use it?”
“I thought you wanted to keep yourpetsclose to home.”
“I do. And I’ll recall mypetif my safety is ever in question,” Dominic said. “But knowing the movements of the Chains is as important to me as it is to you. Chicago has plenty of shadows for a spy to hide in. I am willing to take this risk if it means getting what I want, though listening is all she’ll do. I don’t want to mar my collection by putting her in unneeded danger.”
“Such a selfless act, Mr. Fane,” Varro said with poorly hidden contempt. “Your assistance is gracious.”
“Graciousness doesn’t matter. Knowledge does. And it’s all I want. My spy’s purpose is to get what I want. Butyouneed to deal with the slave. She’ll be guarded, and I’m not placing a shadow against the powers of a satiated Lust fiend.”
“I have plans on how to deal with Evelyn, though they will take some time. I want her back alive.”
“An assassination would be easier.”
Varro’s eyes filled with royal fires. “Alive. Do not argue this with me.”
Dominic scowled at his tone. If all Varro wanted was to ensure Evelyn didn’t tattle, finding a way to snap her neck would be easy enough. But he wanted her back. Dominic suspected the vampire King was a little infatuated.
“You’re acting shortsighted,” Dominic said. “She’s a slave. Just kill her and be done with it. Our plans would be easier fulfilled without a talkative, angelic slut complicating things for us.”
