Page 58 of A Touch of Brimstone

“No, I don’t,” I finally said. “I just don’t want us to be victims of your whims. Your anonymity makes us easy targets.”

“Do you think knowing would give you an advantage?”

It was a rhetorical question, but I still felt the need to answer it.

“Not an advantage, but it would arm us adequately.”

“How?”

“I don’t know, if you wake up a little foggy headed, it might be a vampire, so you won’t think it’s you. Laws can be put in place to better regulate the supernaturals’ use of magic.”

“You think human laws will be obeyed by people far more powerful than them? A vampire could compel your politicians. Spells could manipulate outcomes. Shifter and vampire strength could dominate any human. But humans will attempt to regulate how we deal with things, muddling our system.”

Frustrated by his interrogation pointing out the holes in my solution, I moved back from him, shoving my hand through my hair.

“Your system doesn’t work either,” I snapped. “Kane tried to compel me to injure myself and he’s part of the Conventicle. He blatantly ignored—”

“Kane was handled,” he reminded me.

“I know, but he still went against the wishes of the Conventicle. And what about the people who killed Rei and company?”

As he pointed out the holes in my suggestion, he needed to see the flaws in theirs, as well.

“That, I’m not sure. They wanted you dead.”

“You, too.”

“Many people want me dead. I’m not sure if my death was a bonus or an objective. You were definitely a target. I have no idea what their part is in this. It needs to be investigated.”

Did he just flex about people wanting him dead? Hey, Prince, that’s not a good thing!

“Why didn’t you go with Rei?” Satisfaction lifted one side of his lips. “Despite your apprehension, you’ve chosen a side.”

I shook my head. “No,” I admitted. “I’m an unwilling participant. Our goals align. You want the prisoners back and to find the Dark Caster. I want the markings removed and out of this world. That’s the crux of the matter.”

“Ah, so you haven’t determined I’m the good guy.”

My mouth dropped open and I snapped it shut. Perhaps it was the fatigue and the assassination attempt, or the fact that I was firmly in “I don’t give a fuck territory,” but I said, “I definitely don’t think you’re the good guys. I’m not sure you’re even the somewhat okay guys. It’s debatable whether you’re even the barely humane guys. You take lives effortlessly.”

His face had been pitiless, totally lacking any mercy or remorse.

“They were trying to kill me and you. I defended us. What should I have done—ask them not to do it?” His mocking annoyed me. “Or do you have a death wish, Luna?” he tacked on, derision heavy in his voice.

He was right. But it still felt wrong. Like there should have been an alternative.

“People are killed all the time in your world. Does it bother you?”

I nodded. “But the difference is, I’m not there or hanging out with the murderers.”

He nodded slowly as he regarded me. I wondered if he could mute the searing intensity of his gaze.

“The prisoners aren’t responsible for their escape,” he said, seeming to be in need of a subject change. “Our speculations were wrong about them being involved. If they were, you wouldn’t be with me. If they knew you were the only person keeping them out of the Perils, they would have found a way to you. They’re lying low, because they need to figure out things just like I do,” he speculated.

This wasn’t the time to point out there wasn’t really a “we” in this when it came to finding out the truth about the prisoners’ involvement. Whereas he seemed to desperately need the why of the situation, I was firmly in camp how. How do I untangle myself from this situation?

His finger glided over the light shadow of a beard as he was drawn into further speculation. My interest remained piqued by Rei’s apparent hope that he encountered Roman. More specifically, Roman’s claws.

“What effect do Roman’s claws have on you?”

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