Page 12 of Kiss of Blood and Sin

My smirk returned, but there was less bite to it now. “If he’s asked Petar to be her bodyguard, then you have your work cut out for you.” I paused, my expression growing serious. “Is she okay?”

Louise took another sip of her wine then sighed. “She survived, but according to Angelo, her body is badly bruised and scratched, and she’s pretty shaken.”

I set my glass down, my smirk fading slightly. “Survived a werewolf attack with just bruises and scratches? Well, color me impressed. Girl’s tougher than I thought.”

Leaning forward, I fixed Louise with a steady gaze, my voice losing some of its usual sarcastic edge. “And she’s pretty shaken, you say? Can’t blame her. Wolf shifter attacks aren’t exactly a walk in the park.”

Louise sniffed and wiped a tear off her cheek.

I drummed my fingers on the table, a hint of tension in my jaw. “Look, as much as I hate to admit it, she’s going to need more than just physical healing. Trust me, the mental scars...they tend to linger.”

Then, unable to resist, I gave her flippant smile. “Though I suppose that’s where your witchy woo-woo comes in handy, right? Nothing a few healing spells and a stiff drink can’t fix.”

Louise and Augustus gave each other a knowing glance. Maybe I had hit on something, but obviously they weren’t going to share with the class.

“What’s with the secret society looks?” I drawled, my tone deceptively casual.

Louise grabbed her glass of wine as if trying to avoid answering my question.

August clasped her shaking hand. “Angelo trusts Petar and?—”

I leaned in, my eyes narrowing as I fixed Augustus with a sardonic smile. “Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot to bring my ‘Trust Petar Dragan’ badge to the party. Tell me, Augustus, did you get yours in the mail, or is blind faith just part of the witch starter pack these days?”

Augustus sat taller in his chair then clasped Louise’s shaking hand. “Angelo trusts Petar and?—”

I scoffed, my lips twisting into a bitter smile. “Oh, well if Angelo trusts him, then by all means, let’s roll out the red carpet.”

Louise dragged her fingers through her hair. “Dimitri, you’re not giving Angelo a chance. He wouldn’t do anything to put his sister in danger.”

My jaw clenched as I fought to control my rising temper. “Wow, it’s like a broken record in here,” I snapped, locking eyes with Augustus. “Let me spell it out for you: Anyone who sides with Petar Dragan is automatically my enemy. Or is that too complicated for your magical little minds?”

Louise put her glass down, her words tumbling out. “Gianna doesn’t get to choose who her bodyguard is. Angelo does. There has to be a reason why he chose Petar.”

I laughed humorlessly, the sound harsh and grating even to my own ears. “Oh, there’s a reason alright. It’s called monumental stupidity.” I got up from seat, my hands clenching into fists. “But hey, who am I to stand in the way of such a brilliant plan? By all means, hand her over to the wolf in sheep’s clothing. I’m sure that’ll end well.”

No one stopped me as I headed out the door, every nerve tensed. I jumped into my black Chevy Camaro parked in the faculty parking lot, the engine roaring to life as I turned the key. I glanced up to see Valentin glaring down at me, shaking his head. I saluted him sarcastically, a smirk tugging at my lips before I sped away, the tires screeching on the pavement.

I called Rocco Palazzo, King Nico’s son and a friend of Rose and Valentin. He answered on the first ring, his voice cheerful. “Hey, Dimitri, long time no talk. How’s it going up in witchy town?”

I scoffed, my fingers tightening around the steering wheel. “Oh, just peachy. I hear my dad joined the opposite team. What’s the scoop down there?”

He sighed, the sound heavy with concern. “Not so good, actually. Angelo’s magic Aeternum Stone is flickering out, and it’s not just his. The wolves’ and the Dark Fae’s stones are threatening to go dark too. A war’s brewing.”

A flicker of unease jetted around in my gut, but I pushed it aside.

“No one’s happy that Angelo saved your dad at LuminaGlade, frankly,” Rocco continued. “But then again, Angelo has never cared much for other people’s opinion. Why do you ask anyway?”

“Didn’t you hear? Petar and his little protégé, Gianna Santi, are gracing us with their presence at Louise’s birthday bash. You know, the same Gianna who nearly got turned into a chew toy by a pack of wolves,” I said, barely concealing the rage simmering beneath the surface.

He whistled over the phone, the sound sharp and surprised. “You’re serious?”

“Dead serious. Anything else you know?” I asked, my mind racing with possibilities.

“My dad mentioned that Angelo has been buying up magical items like crazy.”

I frowned as I put the pieces together. “To try and save the stone?”

“Possibly. Your guess is as good as mine there. I bet the high priestess has something Angelo wants and he sent Petar to get it, using Louise’s birthday party as an excuse for the trip.”

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