Page 16 of Ancient Magic

Chapter 4

Micha hated parties. It baffled him why anyone would want to be stuffed in a room with a bunch of demons and humans who yammered about subjects that they either knew nothing about or subjects they knew too much about. And worse, he was expected to pretend he was interested in whatever entertainment was provided, when he really wanted to find a quiet corner and read a book.

Or set himself on fire.

Anything was preferable to standing around, waiting for the opportunity to escape.

This party was no different. In fact it was worse. It was bad enough to have a horde of demons clamoring for his attention, but he didn’t usually have to deal with his fellow vampires. The Cabal was wise enough to realize that the only means of keeping the brotherhood from destroying one another was to separate the most powerful of them into individual Gyres and create brutal consequences for any attempt at invasion.

Tonight was a reminder of the tense violence that thundered in the air when they were forced to gather in one spot. One misstep and New York would be bathed in blood.

“I can offer to show you my private art collection if you want an opportunity to escape to the rooms I’ve prepared for you.”

Micha had sensed Valen’s approach from behind, but he kept his attention locked on the crowd that swirled through the room. Valen wasn’t the threat. At least not an immediate threat.

“Is that a bribe, Valen?” he asked the male who appeared at his side.

“Do I need one?”

Micha’s gaze moved to take in Peri Sanguis, Valen’s mate. “Presumably that’s what we’re here to discover.”

“I can promise you that Peri isn’t a threat.”

“Her magic and the damage it’s caused in a short amount of time says otherwise.”

“She’s still learning to control it. In a few months—” Valen cut off his words, as if realizing he was offering a promise he couldn’t keep. “Or maybe a few years,” he amended. “There won’t be any more unfortunate accidents.”

“And her magic will be even more dangerous.”

“She has no desire to rule the world.”

Both Valen and Peri had traveled through Micha’s territory when they’d battled a mysterious evil months ago, but he hadn’t invited them to his private lair. It hadn’t been personal. He simply valued his privacy.

Micha reluctantly turned his head to meet his companion’s gaze. There was no missing the concern that simmered in the depths of his eyes.

“And you?” Micha asked.

“What about me?”

“You control a powerful Gyre and now you’re mated to a mage who can unleash a torrent of wild magic that is capable of destroying a vampire. Maybe more than one. It tends to make the Cabal twitchy.”

“You’re never twitchy,” Valen protested.

“No.”

“So why did you agree to come? I’ve heard rumors that you hate traveling away from your territory.”

“It’s no secret,” Micha readily admitted. “I hate people. And demons. And especially vampires.”

“Fair enough.” Valen paused before repeating his question. “Then why are you here?”

“As I said, I don’t like vampires, but some are worse than others,” Micha conceded, turning his head until Kane came into view. He had a long, painful history with the Cabal leader. “You’ve been a decent neighbor who minds your own business and rarely intrudes into my territory. It’s in my interest to allow you to maintain your position.”

The temperature abruptly dropped. “Allow me?”

“Don’t underestimate the threat,” Micha warned, his attention returning to Valen’s mate.

“Trust me. When it comes to protecting Peri, I never underestimate the threat,” Valen said between clenched fangs. “Or my response.”

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