Page 49 of Kiss of Blood and Sin

I eyed the thing warily. Sure, it might only suck the life out of the vamp wearing it, but with my luck? I wouldn’t betmy vintage bourbon collection on it being that simple. For all I know, this mystical piece of junk could turn every bloodsucker in a mile radius into a withered prune.

Not exactly encouraging. But then again, when has anything in my unlife ever been straightforward?

Right. Jaxon. Almost forgot about our little magical handcuff situation. Time to play supernatural locksmith, I suppose.

Help Jaxon? Please. The guy’s like a firefly compared to my supernova. But fine, I’ll throw him a bone. Maybe watching him fumble with his newfound freedom will be entertaining. Plus, it’s always nice to remind everyone who the real power player is around here.

I stalked back and forth, wearing a trench in my floor while waiting for Gianna to finish getting ready. Any minute now, I expected the high priestess to come zooming up on her broomstick, cackling like a demented Mary Poppins.

“How the fuck,” I muttered, “did I find myself in another of Petar’s tangled webs?”

As if summoned by my irritation, Petar materialized in the doorway. “Ah, Dimitri. I trust you’re prepared for your journey?”

I spun to face him, eyes narrowing. “Oh, I’m prepared alright. Prepared to ask why you conveniently forgot to mention the talisman’s little...quirks.”

Petar’s eyebrow arched. “Quirks?”

“Don’t play dumb, it doesn’t suit you,” I snapped. “Jaxon spilled the beans. This thing’s a vampire in its ownright. Drains life-force, weakens abilities, the whole nine yards. Care to explain why that slipped your mind?”

A shadow passed over Petar’s face. “I see Jaxon has been...talkative. The talisman’s nature is complex, Dimitri. I didn’t think?—”

“You didn’t think I needed to know it could turn me into a feral, sun-sensitive wreck?” I interrupted, voice low to avoid Gianna overhearing. “Stellar plan, really. Send me off with a magic battery drainer to meet the vampire mafia. What could possibly go wrong?”

Petar stepped closer, his voice equally hushed. “The benefits outweigh the risks, Dimitri. In the right hands?—”

Petar’s lips curled into a Cheshire cat grin. “Change of plans. We’re not going to give that to Angelo.”

I shot up, my eyes narrowing to slits. “What?” I growled, feeling my fangs itch to descend. “Why the hell not?”

Petar opened his mouth to respond, but footsteps from the other room silenced us both. I shot Petar a warning look that could’ve melted steel. This conversation wasn’t over, but Gianna didn’t need to be dragged into it. Not yet anyway.

As Gianna entered, I plastered on my patented smirk, shoving down the anger bubbling in my chest. “Ready for our little road trip, sweetheart?” I asked, my tone lighter than a soufflé. “New Orleans is lovely this time of year.”

Her dark hair was pulled up into a loose bun, and she had on the green silk top and black mini skirt I’d picked. She looked like a million bucks, and she was all mine. My eyes couldn’t help but trail appreciatively over her figure.

“Not really,” she said, exhaling a shaky breath that mademy dead heart twinge. “Facing my brother is the last thing I want to do right now.”

“Then you shouldn’t have mated with my son,” Petar said, his voice as warm as a Siberian winter.

My eyes blazed with a cold fire as I smoothly inserted myself between Gianna and the paternal pain in my ass. “Careful, Dad,” I drawled, my voice dripping with venom-laced charm. “Your Siberian chill is showing. And here I thought global warming was supposed to thaw out fossils like you.”

I felt my fangs itching to descend, the familiar rush of predatory instinct surging beneath my skin. Leaning in close, I locked eyes with dear old Dad, my smirk razor-sharp. “Let’s get one thing crystal clear. That ‘mate’ you’re so casually dismissing? She’s family now. And unlike some people, I actually know how to treat family.”

Petar’s eyes widened, shock rippling across his face like he’d just been slapped with a century’s worth of karma.

“So here’s a pro tip, Pops,” I continued, my tone light but laced with unmistakable menace. “Next time you want to play the disapproving father card, remember: I’ve got eternity to make your life hell. And trust me, I’m creative.”

Gianna’s eyes flashed, and I felt a surge of pride at her fire. “Who I chose as my mate is none of your concern, Petar.” She looped her arm through mine, the warmth of her skin a stark contrast to my own. “Would you mind getting the bags?”

I flashed Petar a smirk that was equal parts triumph and warning as I escorted her out of my apartment. The sun stilllurked behind the quiet ocean, everything seeming to hold its breath. Not even the gulls were awake, which was eerie in itself.

A movement caught my eye, and my breath caught in my throat. My muscles tensed, ready for the high priestess to yell out “checkmate” like some twisted game of magical chess.

But it was Jaxon who emerged from the shadows, his face tight and drawn, arms crossed like he was holding himself together. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes spoke volumes. I had the sinking feeling he was making sure I was leaving, knowing the high priestess would turn him into her personal piñata for information.

The only reason he’d helped me steal the talisman was his hatred for her. She had him on a tighter leash than a show poodle, and all he wanted was to escape. He’d only agreed to help if I’d loosen some of the magic binding her to him. I’d promised I would, adding another peso to my already overloaded burro of obligations.

When I used it, she’d know faster than a vampire could drain a sorority girl. And I was dead certain she’d immediately contact Angelo. He was almost as powerful as Dracula, and I’d bet my vintage bourbon collection he’d think I was going to use the talisman against him.

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