“Then give me a double whiskey.”

  I nodded and poured her the drink. When I passed it over, her fingertips brushed against mine. Electricity shot up my arm, and unwilling pleasure gripped me hard.

  I shouldn’t like her touch, but fates help me, I did.

  Tension tightened the air, seeming to press us together. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. The curve of her cheek and her luminous skin rivaled the works of the Old Masters, and her scent wrapped around me like a drug.

  Her gaze darted away, but the catch in her breath made it clear she’d felt the same as I had.

  She tossed the whiskey back, drinking the entirety in two sips. Then she shoved the glass back at me and stalked to the middle of the room.

  “I didn’t do it.” She spun to face me. “But why do you think someone was willing to do that to you?”

  “Hell if I know.”

  “Oh, you know.” She narrowed her eyes. “They probably didn’t want to be your Bride.”

  That, I could believe. I was no prize.

  11

  Mac

  * * *

  I stared at Drakon, my heart racing a million miles an hour. When my hand had brushed his…

  I shook my head, trying to clear away the memory of his touch. It had raced up my arm and gripped my heart, driving the breath from my lungs as pleasure lit up my nerve endings. He’d looked lethally beautiful standing in the shadowy room, an otherworldly warrior put on this earth to kill men and seduce women. Just touching his hand made my system go into overdrive, and it annoyed the hell out of me.

  “I’ll see you in the morning,” I muttered.

  When I turned to go, his voice cracked through the room: “Wait.”

  I shot him a glare over my shoulder. “What?”

  “You’re forgetting your end of the bargain. What did you sense from Ludovic?”

  The faintest shudder raced down my spine.

  Ludovic.

  Just touching him had made my skin crawl. But worse—there had been the faintest feeling of familiarity. I had no explanation for it, but it had been unmistakable.

  And that had scared the crap out of me.

  There was more here than met the eye. More to this secret society, and more to me and Drakon. I didn’t know what that might be, but it was clear that nothing was as it seemed.

  “Ludovic is hiding something.” I sure as hell wasn’t going to tell him about the eerie feeling of familiarity. “But I don’t know what.”

  “Then you’re useless to me.”

  I scowled at him. “I’ll find out what it is.”

  Before he could speak, I turned and charged from the room. I couldn’t be around him for a second longer or I’d yank out my sword and do something I’d regret.

  It wasn’t like I could kill him, and I didn’t really want to.

  Getting some space was my best bet. And information.

  This Vampire Bride thing was bad news. Like, mega bad news. I needed to call in the big guns.

  Back in my room, I changed into my usual attire. The jeans and tank top fit like a second skin, and the worn old purple flannel felt like a hug as I pulled it over my shoulders and left it to hang unbuttoned. Quickly, I retrieved Eve’s bag from the ether. It wasn’t very late yet—not nearly late enough for me to sneak around looking for answers about why this house and some of the occupants were so oddly familiar—but it was the perfect time to return to Guild City for answers.

  And I just really needed to see my home. My friends. These last twenty-four hours had been too crazy.

  I rifled through the bag and found the little charm marked Transport Link. It was a rare type of charm, one that I’d only used once before, that would establish a temporary link between this place and wherever I chose. They were hard to make, but Eve had said she’d recently finished a batch.

  Lucky me.

  A relieved smile spread across my face as I pulled it out and set it beside me on the bed. I fished around for a moment more and pulled out the tracking blocker she’d made me. Drakon could find me, but not if I drank this—at least, for a little while. I swigged it back, not caring that it was sour and a little gross. Magic shivered over my skin in a cold chill as the potion went to work. A moment later, I felt normal again.

  “Must have worked.” I shrugged and picked up the Transport Link, then chucked it to the ground. A silvery gold cloud burst upward, and I stepped inside. As the ether sucked me through, I imagined the Shadow Guild courtyard.

  Home.

  The ether spit me out at my destination, and I grinned. The moon gleamed on the tower, highlighting the blood-red roses that climbed the stone walls. I rubbed my shoulder, remembering getting the tattoo just a few months ago. Ever since my parents had died, I hadn’t had a real home. I’d been a misfit, with my wonky magic. When the Shadow Guild had formed, it had given me a place to call my own. The tower roses symbolized that for me, and I’d had them inked onto my shoulder shortly after moving in.

  The wooden front door opened, and Carrow peeked her head out. “Mac? Everything okay?” She grimaced. “I mean, okay considering that everything is kind of screwed up right now?”

  “Not really.” Relief rushed through me at the sight of her, and I hurried toward home.

  The main room was empty except for her and Cordelia, her raccoon familiar. Each of them had a glass of wine sitting on the table—Cordelia’s far smaller—and the hearth blazed merrily.

  “Girls’ night?” I asked as I threw myself into the chair. If only I could stay here and forget that Drakon existed.

  The strangest little pain twinged in my side, and I frowned. The idea of forgetting him almost…hurt?

  Freaking Stockholm syndrome.

  No. Actually, it was the damned Bride Bond, wasn’t it? That was why I was feeling for him.

  “You’ll be glad to know that Eve said her potion is coming along. Another day, and it should be brewed.” Carrow sat on the couch across from me. “He’ll have forgot you by Monday.”

  “I sure hope you’re right.” Still, worry tugged at me.

  “Something’s wrong.” She leaned toward me. Cordelia mimicked her movements, her black eyes bright with interest. Carrow could speak to Cordelia since the raccoon was her familiar, but no one else could understand her. All the same, I could read the concern in the raccoon’s eyes.

  “Everything is wrong,” I said. “Frankly, my life sucks green monkey dick right now.”

  Carrow grimaced. “What, specifically?”

  “Vampire Bride is what’s wrong,” I said. “Ever heard of it?”

  She frowned. “I’ve heard of cursed mates and fated mates, but not vampire brides.”

  “That’s what I was afraid of. What about Grey?”

  “We should go ask him.” Carrow stood. “He’s in a meeting right now, but if we head over to his club, we should be there when he gets out.”

  I nodded and rose, grateful to be moving. Doing.

  Cordelia waved at us but stayed behind with her wine as Carrow and I headed out into the courtyard. The cool evening breeze whipped my hair back from my face, and I breathed deeply.

  Carrow gripped my hand. “It’s going to be okay.”

  “Sure doesn’t seem like it.”

  “We’ll find a way out. Everything moving along at the secret society?”

  “I’m still alive, so yeah.”

  I updated her on the events as we headed through the twisting streets of Guild City. The shop windows glowed with golden light as the wares danced inside the windows, enchanted to draw attention. It was party hour here, and the pubs and bars pulsed with music as we passed. People had spilled out onto the street and were drinking pints and cocktails as they laughed and sang. Late-night restaurants were still serving at the tables they’d pushed out onto the sidewalk.

  Guild City was at its best at night, and the sight of it made me determined not to be driven away. Even if I could take unlimited quantities of the potion that hid me from Drakon’s tracking, he could still find me here. And there was no way I’d leave my beloved town.

  We finally reached the courtyard in front of the Devil’s tower. He was the only person in town who owned his own. It rose high in front of me, the blackened stone dotted with glowing red windows.

  The tower was a multipurpose space. The Devil lived and worked there, but he also owned the nightclub that filled the first floor. Carrow spent part of her time here and part in our own tower, though I didn’t visit much. I preferred parties at the Witches’ Guild and nights out at the pub. A fancy vampire nightclub wasn’t as much my scene.

  Two bouncers flanked the door, their hands clasped together as they gazed out at the courtyard with stern eyes. They were eerily handsome, with sharp features and smooth bald heads, and they wore matching suits made of some kind of dark tactical material. They nodded at Carrow as we approached and pulled open the doors, and she led the way into the cool, dark lobby. Our boots clicked on the smooth floor that gleamed with a dark light. The tile looked like onyx set with stars. Deep maroon velvet papered the walls, and sharp, modern lamps hung from the ceiling.

  The room was empty except for a woman standing at a podium near the next set of doors.

  “Miranda.” Carrow nodded at the reed-thin woman with pale skin and straight dark hair.

  “Carrow,” she replied. “He’s almost done with his meeting. Would you like a table while you wait?”

  Carrow nodded, and Miranda led us through the only door in the room, which opened up into a beautiful nightclub. It reeked of money and power, with magnificent furnishings and chandeliers that glittered with golden light. People surrounded tables made of black stone, and a band played low, sultry music from the stage.

  Miranda led us to a table in the corner that was marked off with a velvet rope—the best table in the place, always reserved for Carrow. Not only did she have a good view of the stage, but she also had a view of all entrances and exits, which was why she really preferred it.

  People looked at us enviously as we took our seats, and I felt a bit like royalty. Hell, Carrow was Guild City royalty. She led the Shadow Guild and was mated to one of the most powerful men in town. I was just in her orbit, but that came with its own set of perks.

  Within two minutes, the bartender had our favorite cocktails delivered to our table. I’d just taken my first tiny sip of my wine cooler when the Devil appeared. He strode from the back of the club, power following in his wake.

  Every patron in the room turned to look at him with interest and excitement. As far as I knew, he rarely showed up in the bar, preferring to leave the management of it to Miranda, his second in command. His gaze zeroed in on Carrow as he neared, the ice within fading away to warmth. He was handsome in a way that spoke of cold, controlled power. Carrow was the only one who had ever managed to thaw him, and it was pretty sweet, if you were into that kind of thing.

  As he slid into the seat next to her, he pressed a kiss to her lips and murmured something in her ear.

  An image of Drakon flashed in my mind’s eye, and I looked away from them.

  Damn it, I hated that I thought of him.

  “What brings you here?” the Devil asked. “I wasn’t expecting such a lovely distraction this evening.”

  I turned back to him. “Does Vampire Bride mean anything to you?”

  His eyes widened briefly, and a faint grimace crossed his features. When he spoke, his voice was wary. “It does. It’s you, isn’t it?”

  I nodded.

  “I should have realized sooner. I’d thought it was a myth. There’s only one of him, after all, and therefore one of you. It was never important enough to stay on my radar.”

  “It’s become important,” Carrow said.

  The Devil nodded. “I can see that.”

  He could probably also see that I was pale as dishwater and looked like I’d been run over by a lorry. “What do you know about it?” I asked.

  “Not much. But you’re the one person who completes his existence. Once he’s met you, he can never be parted from you, or he’ll experience terrible pain. Enough that he’ll always seek you out to make it go away.”

  Fuck, fuck, fuck.

  “What if I’m dead?”

  The Devil frowned. “That, I am not sure. It could be enough to break the bond, but…”

  “What if he forgets me? Like, because of one of Eve’s potions, I mean.”

  He blew out a thoughtful breath. “I have to imagine that his soul will remember you, even if his mind will not. It may be enough to break through Eve’s potion and revive his memory of you.” He looked at Carrow, something flashing in his gaze. Probably imagining that he’d remember her, no matter what potion he took.

  Except my relationship with Drakon was different.

  I thunked my head back against the wall and stared up at the ceiling. “Fuck.”

  “Fuck is right,” Carrow said. “Are you sure, Grey?”

  “Not entirely, no. I’m speaking as much from experience of our own bond as I am knowledge. Ours isn’t the same as theirs, but it’s likely very similar.”

  “You broke your bond, though, right?” I asked.

  Carrow nodded. “But I have no idea if that would work for you.”

  She was right. Our magic differed, and so replicating what she had done would be impossible.

  This changed everything.

  I looked back up at them, my gaze moving to Carrow. “If Eve’s potion doesn’t work…”

  “We’ll find another way.” She reached for my hand and clutched it. “I know you don’t want to kill him, but it’s starting to seem like a reasonable option. I’m sure we can find a way. No one is truly immortal. Everyone has a weakness.”

  I swallowed hard, my stomach turning. Memories of him saving me inside the maze flashed in my mind’s eye. He’d put himself between me and danger multiple times, but he kept saying he was going to kill me.

  Would he really, though?

  “Damn, this is complicated,” I muttered.

  “No kidding.” Carrow frowned. “And I know that now isn’t the best time to mention it, but you should know that we haven’t had much luck finding the person who actually trapped him in that tomb.”

  Disappointment surged through me, but I wasn’t surprised. Luck wasn’t really going my way lately.

  12

  Mac

  * * *

  Once I had the little information I could eke from my friends in Guild City, I headed back to the creepy house party. I’d wanted to stay with Carrow and drown my sorrows, but there was too much to be done.

  Drakon was starting to realize that I was feeding him shady information, so I needed a new plan. If making him forget me wouldn’t work, I figured that my best bet was to determine what the hell he wanted with this secret society and get it before he could. Then I’d use it to barter for my freedom.

  That plan was risky, but it was all I had.

  The transport link took me back to my room without incident, and a quick glance at the clock revealed that it was nearly midnight—just the right hour to be sneaking around. I withdrew Eve’s potion bag from the ether and found a couple of truth potions. Then I went to the wardrobe where I’d stashed my special fae outfits. A short black dress caught my eye, and I recalled that Madame Alette had said it was enchanted to make people forget me after they saw me.

  Perfect.

  I dressed, then slipped the truth potions beneath a heavy metal cuff bracelet. It hadn’t been designed to hold them the way that Eve’s bracelet had been, but it would work for now.

  Properly kitted up, I left the room and stepped silently into the hall. It was empty, and I strode through like I owned the place. If anyone saw me, I’d say that I was looking for the kitchens. My favorite hobby was pulling pranks on the Witches’ Guild, and it had given me a lot of practice at sneaking around.

  I made my way through the grand halls, passing guest rooms that echoed with the faint sound of people’s voices. It was possible that eavesdropping at some doors would get me good info, but that was too much of a crapshoot. I’d rather try to find someone to question.

  The bottom floor of the house was nearly empty as I passed room after room—sitting rooms and libraries, music halls and salons. Still, it felt like there was a presence following me. Several times, I glanced over my shoulder, expecting to see someone.

  What the hell was going on? Was this place haunted?

  Probably. Creepy as hell was what it was.

  Finally, I found a large room with a single inhabitant. He sat facing away from the door, but I’d recognize his brilliant yellow-gold hair anywhere: Marcus, Valerie’s right hand. He’d been by her side this whole time, lingering at the back as she gave her speeches and facilitated events.

  Jackpot.

  Maybe not as good as Valerie herself, but likely safer. Valerie looked tough as nails and like she’d be good in a fight. This guy could surely hold his own, but he didn't make me nearly as wary as she did.

  I stepped into the room and quickly scanned the space, taking in my options for attack. Massive bookshelves towered against the walls, each filled with thousands of leatherbound volumes that likely held information I didn’t give two shits about. I was more of a romance and suspense girl myself, and those books were rarely bound in leather. Too snooty. A hearth flickered merrily behind the collection of plush leather sofas, and an ornate old liquor cart sat on the adjacent wall. Bottles full of amber liquid glittered on the cart, and I spotted a glass sitting on the table in front of the man.

  Bingo.

  As I stepped into the room, I made sure that my heels clicked on the ground to announce my presence. The man stiffened and turned, a smile spreading across his face as he met my gaze.

  “To what do I owe this pleasure?” he asked. His voice was just slightly slurred, and from the glazed look to his eyes, he was three sheets to the wind.

  This wouldn’t be so hard.

  “Couldn’t sleep.” I tried to make my voice sexy, but instead sounded like a frog with a pack-a-day habit. From the twitch in his right eye, he agreed.

 

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