Page 153 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

“Or it was the first sign that the curse was slowly poisoning magic.”

If that was true…

“Don’t go looking for that weapon,” she warned us. “It will only be a threat to Thea, and too many people want her dead.”

A low growl slipped from Julian, but she shrugged.

“It’s the truth. I need to go,” she announced, moving toward the door, her gown rustling across the floor behind her. She paused and sneered at Julian. “The Third Rite will be starting soon. Shouldn’t you be with Thea?”

“We were told to arrive separately. Perhaps you can stick close to her.”

They sized each other up for a second—the two people most desperate to protect Thea in the world. Finally, Lia gave him a curt nod before vanishing out the door.

Julian lifted his brows as he held out a box. “I was told to deliver this to you.” He looked over his shoulder. “I see that’s going... well.”

“Shut the fuck up. It was going fine until you interrupted us.” I swiped the box from his hands.

“Fine?” He chuckled at my choice of words. “I wasn’t sure if she was going to kill you or mount you.” A snarl slipped out of me, and he held up a hand. “Sorry. I forgot that you two—”

“Don’t say it.” The only thing worse than fighting the desire I felt for Lia would be admitting to it.

He nodded, heading toward the nearest table and the stack of books I’d left piled on it. “Find anything?” He flipped one open, the casual gesture at odds with the heaviness in his voice.

“Not yet.” I tucked the box under my arm and joined him. “It’s strange. This is considered one of the most comprehensive magical libraries in the world. There are grimoires here that date back eight thousand years and ones that were collected in the last decade, but there isn’t a single mention of the curse after it happened. All references to it are ancient.”

Julian jerked his attention from the book. “None?”

“None, and no mentions of the Queen-killer. I was beginning to think it was a myth, but…”

“Aurelia seemed scared when we brought it up. How is that possible there are no references to the curse or the weapon?”

“It isn’t,” I said grimly. “Someone is censoring the collection. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

“Then the Fae are right.” He slammed the book shut.

“The Fae?” I waited for him to explain what the hell that meant.

“It was something Bain said to Thea during our lovely visit.” He grimaced as he recalled his mandatory meeting with the prince. “He told her he thinks vampires are behind the curse.”

“But the curse affected vampires. It affected our population.” I stumbled over the words even as everything became clearer.

“I’m glad you’ll be there tonight,” he said, his words thick. “Even if Thea is immortal...”

The Queen-killer still existed, and whatever magic darkened that weapon would kill her—kill them both.

“I understand.” I clapped a hand on his shoulder. He didn’t have to voice the fear that haunted him. She was immortal but not invincible. But it was something. Thea wasn’t a mortal. It would take more to kill her, but killing her meant getting around her bodyguard... I shut my mind to the thought.

Lia could handle herself, and if she found out I was worrying about her, she’d have my balls.

“I also can’t find a reference to any vampire-eating monsters,” I told him. “Whatever is preying on the Mordicum might predate our records.”

His forehead wrinkled, his eyes straying to the books and scrolls on the table. “Nothing.”

I shook my head.

“Then let’s hope they’re toying with us.”

“Do we want to take that chance?” I asked.

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