Page 15 of Kiss of Blood and Sin

Augustus’s jaw tightened as he glanced over at Petar. “Yes, he’s coming. Valentin will be with him. Just to warn you, Petar…Dimitri has become even more protective of his brother.”

Petar’s lips curved into a smirk, a hint of cruelty in his eyes. “I’m not surprised. Valentin always was Dimitri’s Achilles’s heel.”

The words hung in the air, sharp and cutting. I clenched my fists, anger rising in my throat. How could Petar speak so callously? Even if Valentin wasn’t his biological son, Petar was the only father Valentin had ever known.

Before I could say anything, Petar’s phone rang and he immediately answered it.

“Yes, sir.” He glanced at me in the rearview mirror and silently mouthed, ‘Angelo.’

I knew my brother cared deeply for me, unlike Petar for Valentin. In fact, my brother considered everyone in his organization family, whether they were blood or not. I guess that was the difference between him and Petar.

“No, sir. We didn’t have any problems, and we are enroute to Augustus and Louise’s home right now…I understand, sir…. Yes, as soon as I find out, I will let you know.”

I got the impression something was going on, something more than just Petar protecting me.

“Yes. She’s right here.” Petar’s voice was tight, his eyes darting to me in the rearview mirror.

He handed me the phone, his fingers brushing against mine as I took it from him. I pressed the phone to my ear, my heart pounding in my chest. What was going on? “Angelo?”

“I hear you made it to Salem without any problems.” His voice was filled with a sense of relief, but it did little to quell the sudden unease churning in my gut. I could feel the tension radiating through the phone, and I gripped it tighter.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I glanced at Louise, who was watching me in concern.

“No. I just want you to stay close to Augustus and Petar while you’re staying in Salem. Do not venture off without one of them, even if you’re with Louise.” His voice made me think that he was keeping something from me. A wave of frustration washed over me, and I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my emotions in check.

I gripped the phone tighter, my palm sweaty against the plastic. “Did the Moirai Mirror show you something I should know about?” I pressed. My voice was steady, but I could feel the urgency building inside me, like an elastic band ready to snap.

“Gianna, please. Just do as I ask. All I want to do is keep you safe.” Angelo’s voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Shitshitshit

Meaning he had seen something in the mirror, but he wasn’t going to tell me what it was. I could feel the blood drain from my face, my stomach twisting into knots. I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry, as a cold blanket of dread settled over me.

I closed my eyes, my chest tightening as the horrible nightmare clouded my vision. I could almost feel the phantom pain of claws and sharp teeth ripping through my skin. It had to be the wolf shifter. He had followed me. “The stranger in the mirror…is he here?” My voice was barely a whisper, the words sticking in my throat.

My brother’s voice softened as he changed the subject. “Just drink the potion that Augustus has made. You’ll be fine.”

He wasn’t fooling me. I could hear the unease in his voice. Either he doubted the potion would work, or there was something else going on that he didn’t want to tell me.

For a split second, I wanted to go back to Crescent Manor where Angelo had an army of vampires to protect me. The witches wouldn’t be able to offer me that kind of protection. “Should I come home?” I asked, hating the tremble in my voice but unable to stop it.

“No. Stay put. You’re safe, Gianna. Trust me.”

I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood, fighting to stay in control. I didn’t want to get ripped apart again. What if the next time the wolves finished the job? The thought sent a shudder through my body, and I clenched my free hand into a fist, my nails digging into my palm.

“Gianna?” Angelo’s voice snapped me back to the present.

I took a deep shaky breath, forcing my fingers to relax. “Okay, I’ll stay here, Angelo. Bye. Love you.” I handed the phone back to Petar, my hand shaking, and turned to stare out the window, blinking back the tears that had started to fall.

Louise reached over and touched my knee gently. “Gianna? What is it?”

I wiped the stupid tears from my cheeks. “Nothing.”

“Gianna,” she drawled. I knew Louise wouldn’t drop this.

I turned from the window. “Do you know much about the Moirai Mirror?”

She frowned. “Augustus told me a little. I know it’s now in Angelo’s possession. Why, did Angelo see something?”

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