Page 20 of Kiss of Blood and Sin

Dimitri’s eyes widened in mock surprise. “Throw me out? Really, Augustus? And here I thought we were all on the same team and fighting for the same cause. Guess family dinners are going to be hella awkward now.”

I couldn’t take his attitude anymore. I stood up, my hands trembling at my sides. “What cause, Dimitri? What are you talking about?”

He turned his gaze on me, his blue eyes glittering with malice. “Don’t play dumb, princess. You know exactly what’s going on with my father and the high priestess. Tell me, what magical object is your brother after and why? You don’t want a powerful magical object in my father’s greedy hands, trust me. Your dear brother will find himself turned into a toad.”

My chest tightened at the thought of Petar hurting my brother. We might have our differences at times, but he was the only family I had left. I shook my head, confusion and frustration welling up inside me. “I honestly have no ideawhat you’re talking about, Dimitri. Magical object? I’m only here for Louise’s birthday party.”

Augustus threw Louise a nervous glance before turning back to Dimitri. “How do you know this?” he asked Dimitri.

Dimitri scoffed, his lips twisting into a sneer. “A little bird told me. You expect me to believe that you guys are just innocent bystanders in all of this? Puh-lease.”

Louise grabbed Dimitri’s arm, her nails digging into his leather jacket. “She’s telling the truth, Dimitri. Leave her alone.”

Dimitri easily shrugged her off, his eyes never leaving mine. “Fine. Keep your secrets. But with or without your help, I will find out what’s going on. And when I do, you’ll all regret leaving me out of the loop.”

He turned and stalked out of the apartment, his baffling parting words hanging heavy in the air.

I sank back down onto the loveseat, my head spinning. Augustus sat beside me, his brow furrowed with concern.

“He’s just worried about his brother, Gianna,” he said softly. “Don’t let him get to you. But if Petar is truly up to something, especially if it involves Valentin, Dimitri will sniff it out…and then all hell will break loose.”

I nodded mechanically, but a small part of me was still wondering if perhaps Angelo did send Petar up here to get some magical object. He often kept me out of family business, particularly if he thought it would put me in danger.

Augustus got a pensive look. “Gianna, did Angelo ask Petar to make a deal with the high priestess to retrieve some magical object?”

I sighed and tiredly leaned my head back on the couch. “If he did, he never told me. But he rarely shares things like that with me.”

Louise crossed her arms. “If Petar’s working with the high priestess, she’s crafty and can turn on you in a second.”

“We don’t know that the two of them are plotting together, Louise,” Augustus chided.

Louise shrugged, but I could see it on her face. She didn’t trust her.

I clutched my purse tight. “Do you mind if I call my brother and speak to him privately? I need to know if what Dimitri said is true.”

Louise and Augustus exchanged glances. Augustus stretched out his arm. “Of course. The patio?”

“And we’ll make dinner while you talk to your brother,” Louise said.

“Yes, thank you.”

Augustus opened the sliding door, and I sat down on a thick cushioned patio chair outside.

I pulled my phone out of my purse, my hands still trembling slightly. Angelo answered on the first ring, his voice tight with concern.

“Gianna, is something wrong? Where’s Petar?”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. “Why is Petar talking with the high priestess?”

There was a momentary pause on the other end of the line. “He left you alone?” Angelo asked, his voice sharp.

I rolled my eyes, frustration bubbling up inside me. “Notreally, I’m at Louise’s. Petar is talking with the high priestess, and according to Dimitri?—”

“DimitriDragan?” Angelo interrupted, his voice rising in alarm.

“Yes, so?—”

“Gianna, you are not to associate with him,” Angelo ordered, his words clipped and stern.

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