Page 56 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

I stopped and turned to her. “Say the word.”

“You don’t mean that.” She chewed on her lip.

Excitement rushed through me before I clamped down on it. But it was her excitement. Not my own. She wanted to leave.

And it was absolutely insane, but I found myself considering it. We were already on borrowed time. If Thea was cursed with a mortal lifespan, every moment counted. Did we really want to spend it stuck at court?

But as much as I wanted to whisk her away, I couldn’t do it. Not before I made sure she understood the consequences. Not just for us. But for every magical thing on the planet. Had she done enough to ensure the source would thrive? Magic was awake but could it survive without her?

“Thea, there’s something you should know.” I took a deep breath, prepared to tell her everything—to make sure she really understood the choice we were making.

Her eyes grew wide, and, for a moment, I thought she’d heard my thoughts until I realized she was looking over my shoulder into the dark beyond. “Thea, what is it?”

The blood drained from her face as she continued to stare. “It’s...it’s my mother.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

LYSANDER

Thankfully, someone had thought to stock the bar, replacing the dreadful wine with the hard stuff. I didn’t know if it was magic or if some servant had noticed. Bottles of it lined the bar, ready to be opened. After today, I needed a drink. Not just because of the brawl but because I’d made an important decision.

One I was certain I’d regret.

“Are you sure?” Sebastian asked, twisting open a new bottle of Scotch. “You really want to stick around?”

I couldn’t explain it. This morning I’d been ready to get the hell out of here on the first boat. Now?

“Julian is in over his head,” I said quietly. “They both are.” I kept our father’s request to myself. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Sebastian, but somehow I knew that the less people who knew what I was up to, the better.

“Sabine is going to be pissed.” He shook his head as he poured me a drink. Then he took a swig directly from the bottle. “She wants to make it clear that the family sides with her.”

“When isn’t she pissed?” I asked sourly.

“You really think you need to stick around and what? Play bodyguard? They have guards everywhere. Thea even has that chick—”

“I wouldn’t call Aurelia a chick unless you want to lose a hand,” I stopped him.

“That might be the first intelligent thing either of you has said since we met,” a dry voice interrupted us.

“Speak of the devil,” Sebastian muttered. He spun on his high-top stool and shot me a knowing grin. “I was just leaving.”

That stopped her in her tracks. Her eyes shifted to me. “And you?”

“I’m sticking around,” I said, enjoying the fear that flashed over her face.

“We won’t be far.” Sebastian lounged against the bar top. “We have to come back for The Rites in a few weeks.”

I didn’t think I imagined the subtle warning in his words. He tilted his head, offering me a look that said: Don’t get comfortable.

“Thank the Gods,” Aurelia said, rolling her eyes. “What would we do without you?”

“I find it always better to ask what to do with me. I have a few ideas if you need inspiration.” He licked his lower lip in invitation.

A growl rose in my throat, but I swallowed it back. I wasn’t getting in the middle of their flirting. She could handle herself.

Aurelia turned away from him without another word. But she placed her hand on her hip, right on her sword’s hilt.

“I’ll take that as a raincheck.” Sebastian held up his hands and backed toward the day.

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